79 t140 hard to start

[justin345]

my newly aquired t140 i a real pain to start.  i open the petcocks, turn the key in the ignition to on, press the tickler down for a few seconds and then kick, but not much happens.  sometimes it gives me a backfire from one pipe or the other and sometimes the engine hits a few beats, but then stops. once it gets going and is warm, it turns back on with just one small kick.  i have new plugs, wires, battery, the carb is clean, and the previous owner just had it serviced before i got it.  am i starting it wrong or forgeting something?  i have the workshop manual, but it does not give any specific answers. i also heard there is some kind of electric ignition mod that i can add to make starting easier, but dont know much about that.

[L.A.B.]

If you have a "79" (E?) model, then it should have Amal Mk2 carbs?

Mk2 carbs do not have tickler buttons, only lever operated enrichment chokes that need to be switched on for starting and switched off again once the engine has warmed up?

[L.A.B.]

If it actually IS a 1979 (E) model then it should have (Lucas Rita) electronic ignition fitted as standard?

Can you give the engine number two-letter prefix and model code? As that should identify the exact model and its production month and year.

If you have a Haynes manual, then it isn't likely to be much good for an E model? Actually, the Haynes unit Bonneville manual isn't much use at all.

[justin345]

it is a t140e and it does hae the amal mkII 2900 carbs on it.  what is the correct procedure for starting and why does it just backfire for me?  thanks for you help

[L.A.B.]

what is the correct procedure for starting and why does it just backfire for me?

Without actually being there it is difficult to say if you are doing something wrong, or if there is a fault somewhere?

As you have said that the bike starts easily enough when it has warmed up, I would say there could be a problem with the choke plungers not lifting fully when you put the choke on (choke lever down) so check the linkage as one lever should work the plungers on both carbs? Or there could be a blockage in the cold start circuit of one (or both) carbs?

So, fuel on, choke on, ignition on (some riders do prefer to give a couple of priming kicks before switching the ignition on) bring the engine up to compression with the kickstarter, then allow the kickstarter to return, and then give a good full kick, and it should start? So warm it up until it is happy to run with the choke off.

Some riders tend to instinctively snap the throttle wide open when they kick, but try not to do that. Hold the throttle steady in one position just off idle position as you kick?