766
British Bikes / Re: "New" bike
« on: April 14, 2017, 02:07:29 PM »
On my Crusader Sports I would follow Gold Stars just for the smell of R, if I followed an Ariel stroker I just choked........... ( 
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767
British Bikes / Re: "New" bike
« on: April 14, 2017, 10:39:38 AM »
I was advised to buy one of these as my first bike, went for a Crusader sports instead; still cannot decide which was the mistake 
shortly after I had dealings with a pals Leader, could not get that going either.....
In your place I would have bought another Sunbeam, you can't have too many.
shortly after I had dealings with a pals Leader, could not get that going either.....
In your place I would have bought another Sunbeam, you can't have too many.
768
The Classic Biker Bar / Re: story
« on: April 13, 2017, 08:42:16 PM »
I dunno mate, send it to the magazine and see what they say.
I have a very jaundiced view of born agains. Great to see folk back on two wheels, not great to see some of those folk back.
Some of the blokes buying these bikes have been successfull in many areas of life and are not used to being told what to do or take advice.
Little you can do in my view. Such things are one reason I quit all bike clubs.
Let them learn the hard way.
I have a very jaundiced view of born agains. Great to see folk back on two wheels, not great to see some of those folk back.
Some of the blokes buying these bikes have been successfull in many areas of life and are not used to being told what to do or take advice.
Little you can do in my view. Such things are one reason I quit all bike clubs.
Let them learn the hard way.
769
British Bikes / can anyone put a make/date to this speedo drive?
« on: April 13, 2017, 07:16:15 PM »
Looks much liike a later Smiths drive,I've never seen one like it before; hoping to run a Watford speedo off it.
770
The Classic Biker Bar / Re: story
« on: April 13, 2017, 02:13:22 PM »
Reads more like a lecture or homily than a story, to me anyway.
I am still riding[but less often] the same bike I rode at 18, 52 years ago, or my old mans bike, a Piaggo scooter; speed does not enter into it any more, I just try to be as aware as possible of the increased number of plonkers about.
I suppose I get your point though; too many unskilled middle aged returners on bikes a lot different to the jap 125 they started out on.
I am still riding[but less often] the same bike I rode at 18, 52 years ago, or my old mans bike, a Piaggo scooter; speed does not enter into it any more, I just try to be as aware as possible of the increased number of plonkers about.
I suppose I get your point though; too many unskilled middle aged returners on bikes a lot different to the jap 125 they started out on.
771
British Bikes / Re: anyone used an additive in their Triumph
« on: April 09, 2017, 09:50:33 PM »
The old Filtrate Colloidal Graphite did the same job, I still have the remains of a gallon can of it. It worked well in the 1950s oils. It was good stuff.
I used to tip a can of STP into the oil tank of my old Triumphs when I rode them, it took up a lot of slack in my worn engines.
In the 1970s I ran a 400e Ford Thames van, I fitted Cord rings to it and ran it on a mix of 40grade oil and STP; you could not hear it ticking over, had to rev it at traffic lights to check it was still running. MInd you I had two walloping great batteries fitted in it to turn it over from cold.
rambling somewhat off the topic,but what the heck just had my last glass of rum.
I used to tip a can of STP into the oil tank of my old Triumphs when I rode them, it took up a lot of slack in my worn engines.
In the 1970s I ran a 400e Ford Thames van, I fitted Cord rings to it and ran it on a mix of 40grade oil and STP; you could not hear it ticking over, had to rev it at traffic lights to check it was still running. MInd you I had two walloping great batteries fitted in it to turn it over from cold.
rambling somewhat off the topic,but what the heck just had my last glass of rum.
772
British Bikes / Re: Leaky Amal 274 pre monoblock carb..
« on: April 06, 2017, 08:44:27 PM »Quote
Someone recommended I put the O ring in, not to form any seal, but to raise the top in case it was somehow preventing the float from rising enough to stop the fuel,
A little bit of knowledge etc etc etc
anyway it seems you have sorted it now.
773
British Bikes / Re: Leaky Amal 274 pre monoblock carb..
« on: April 06, 2017, 05:18:05 PM »
the o ring under the float chamber top is pointless as the fuel never reaches that level.
Do not faff about with extra washers for the union, likely you'll strip the thread as there is not a lot of it, original washers are quite thin less than a 1/16th; if your is thicker you could always soak t in hot water to soften it.
Do not block any of the holes in the base of the jet block.
These carbs are ,as I said, always a bit leaky and messy especially if you overdo the tickling; which is why you never see a vintage motrcyclist picking his nose with his index finger
It does sound as if you are having a problem with your user habits though.
Do not faff about with extra washers for the union, likely you'll strip the thread as there is not a lot of it, original washers are quite thin less than a 1/16th; if your is thicker you could always soak t in hot water to soften it.
Do not block any of the holes in the base of the jet block.
These carbs are ,as I said, always a bit leaky and messy especially if you overdo the tickling; which is why you never see a vintage motrcyclist picking his nose with his index finger
It does sound as if you are having a problem with your user habits though.
774
British Bikes / Re: Leaky Amal 274 pre monoblock carb..
« on: April 06, 2017, 02:07:35 PM »
It would help if you put up more pics of the float chamber attached to the carb, For the moment forget faffing with petrol levels.
#1the large union gasket is best made from thick graphited paper.
#2 the union nut comes in several sizes, a longer one will lower the flat chamber itself and vice versa.
#3 the float chambers come in many angles; the top should always be horizontal, not even a teeny bit wonkey.
#4 take off the float chamber and dismantle it; turn it upside down, insert float needle and GENTLY tap it into its seating. I suspect the needle is not properly sealing. If it was not sealing at all it will piss out the top of the float chamber anyway. It should have no ridges onthe conical part, somtimes a gentle lapping in with brasso will improve matters.
This is mostly the result of modern "restorers" asembling carbs from autojumble boxes; On top of that I find that there is nearly always a bit of a weep from these carbs anyway; They are after all a 80 yearold design.
There is no float level 'adjustment' as is understood in the way with modern carbs.
A O ring is useless.
You could of course have some defect like a hairline split or other distortion somewhere.
#1the large union gasket is best made from thick graphited paper.
#2 the union nut comes in several sizes, a longer one will lower the flat chamber itself and vice versa.
#3 the float chambers come in many angles; the top should always be horizontal, not even a teeny bit wonkey.
#4 take off the float chamber and dismantle it; turn it upside down, insert float needle and GENTLY tap it into its seating. I suspect the needle is not properly sealing. If it was not sealing at all it will piss out the top of the float chamber anyway. It should have no ridges onthe conical part, somtimes a gentle lapping in with brasso will improve matters.
This is mostly the result of modern "restorers" asembling carbs from autojumble boxes; On top of that I find that there is nearly always a bit of a weep from these carbs anyway; They are after all a 80 yearold design.
There is no float level 'adjustment' as is understood in the way with modern carbs.
A O ring is useless.
You could of course have some defect like a hairline split or other distortion somewhere.
775
British Bikes / Re: 1930 Royal Enfield Model c with no lights or anything electrical, original?
« on: March 29, 2017, 08:09:00 PM »
No, as long as its clear leave it alone,seems to me youu have a blockage in the fuel line somewhere,
start formthe tap oncemore and ensure all fuel ways are clear, especially those inside the carb.
start formthe tap oncemore and ensure all fuel ways are clear, especially those inside the carb.
776
Japanese Bikes / Re: Honda 100
« on: March 29, 2017, 08:06:21 PM »
put it on as auction not buy it now, theres always someone out there that loves this sort of thing, the Honda step though mob seem to delight in old tat for one.
777
Japanese Bikes / Re: Honda 100
« on: March 29, 2017, 11:17:10 AM »
Sell it as is, no way worth spending money on, or keepin it.
778
Identify these bikes! / Re: Mystery bike - photo taken in Shetland
« on: March 28, 2017, 11:10:37 AM »
Its on Shetland, probably got his foot on the brake because there was a wind blowing!
779
British Bikes / Re: BSA B31 Head bearings
« on: March 27, 2017, 05:07:19 PM »
Try BSA C11/12 it was a common mod years ago to fit C11 forks to trials bantams so maybe thats the secret of the share?
780
British Bikes / Re: "Jam pot" rear shock Excelsior Universal
« on: March 23, 2017, 10:18:43 AM »
After putting my specs on , I still can't see the point of that mod. I wonder what is missing from inside the units if the purpose was to make the frame rigid?
Old bike, a bundle of surprises mostly.
, I still can't see the point of that mod. I wonder what is missing from inside the units if the purpose was to make the frame rigid?Old bike, a bundle of surprises mostly.