Today managed to find time to drain M20 tank and refill with fresh petrol and after days of firing and nothing, it was ok. this was after about 6weeks to 2 months not being able to use the bike and that was long enough for the petrol to go off. so it really isn't just a legend, found it really depressing, v pleased 'Greeny' (my youngest daughter's name for her) was so obliging. all best to all out there.

My B33 was laid up for nearly a year after I broke my ankle...and continues to stand idle for longer than I would like due to my slow recovery...

However, it will start up OK on the same petrol..(though it took a little longer to cooperate after the long gap)...I'd bet money that if I went to the workshop now it would fire up within a few kicks...Normally it's first kick...

No real problems with the M20 or the Harley Ferguson either...

I don't understand it, I've never experienced this problem at all...Ian

email (option): ian@wright52.plus.com

Bloody hell.........the fuel in my W/NG's tank has to date back to when last used.....that was July 2012........and with the refurbished magneto on it fired up and ran no problem...... I think the fuel in the 16H is also well over a year old and again, no starting or running issues..............

I think these old machines were designed to run on far lower octane ratings than today.......but admittedly modern additives to fuel may or may not assist......

Iv had Trouble with petrol to, One or two of my mates are all ways saying put supper unleaded in as ordinary unload has benzoyl in which attracts Water and attacks copper pipes ect !
so i relented and put supper in my OHV M23 bearin in mind I have just total rebuilt the complete Engine!! of i set after about 10 miles i looked behind as you do when approaching a junction ect just before you indicate with hand
and noticed a lot of white smoke ( SHIT ) whats happened i pulled over stopped the engine done the necessary checks oil ect ect started the engine nothing all clear rode about 10 - 15 mile looking behind all the time nothing happening carried on about two three miles started smoking again Pulled over kept engine running put my nose into the smoke it didn't smell like oil burning
but it did look like steam more than smoke stopped the engine and started it immediately no smoke Bloody thing put it back into the Bsa Cave and left it there .... So iv been racking my brain have i done any thing wrong in the rebuild and the only thing i can think of if it is oil burning is the Valve guid has a drilling in the side of about a 16th or may be an 8th and the valve guid has turned itself to face the bottom were the oil can run down the inlet valve guid .
Or is it Rubbish Petrol never used supper unleaded before and never had a problem before the M20 is ok and as is the flea is doing me scone in

email (option): garypitt@talktalk.net

The trouble with modern fuel seems to be that it's such a witches' blend. There seem to be numerous legally permitted ways of arriving at the correct octane and because of the way the product is bought and sold, no guarantee of anything like the same forulation twice in a row.

I can't use (Belgian) Total as it stinks the integral garage (and thus the house) out...and it leaves water globules in the float chamber....

The only time that I've had lots of white smoke was after a fill-up with diesel !

email (option): ronpier@talk21.com

I have had carb slides sticking if we have had a particularly hot summer and a bike has stood for a while.

Biggest pain is tank liner disintegration.

email (option): sacombsashtrees@hotmail.com