OK guys!! I am on a very steep learning curve here and need some help. I have read the Technical Info regarding the Amal Carb and although interesting I still don't get it. I also have the maintenance manual and I don't completely understand that either. Believe me I am trying!!

Is there a basic easy explanation to setting the carb up right and balancing the throttle stop valve against the Pilot Air Screw. I have tried but when I get the idle speed set to what I think is right it just makes the bike impossible to start when I try the next day and I seem to have to screw the throttle stop valve in to get the bike to fire up. This invariably makes the bike run at a faster speed than I would call idling.

I have the idle screw set at one and a half turns out and I have checked the plug that is quite sooty. I believe that means that I have to screw the Pilot Air Screw out a bit more.

PS: And where do I find the air lever the info talks about!!

Andy

email (option): andy.hunter@brandsolut.co.uk

The air lever is the choke on the handlebars, have you tried using the choke to start it? Maybe someone has taken it out of the carb if it's not there.

email (option): horror@blueyonder.co.uk

The air lever is the choke on the handlebars, have you tried using the choke to start it? Maybe someone has taken it out of the carb if it's not there.[/quote]

Thanks, I just get confused with some of the terminology. If they had said choke I would have understood :-)

email (option): andy.hunter@brandsolut.co.uk

Set the tickover at the speed you want it, give the carb a tickle so you just see a bit of petrol. Set adv/retard lever to retard. This will usually be enough to start it. You can try the choke as well if you like.

The tickover speed will also depend where the adv/retard lever is. If you set it with the timing retarded it can be too high when stopping at junctions etc. So I set mine in advanced position because I'm lazy and don't want to keep adjusting the lever when I stop

email (option): horror@blueyonder.co.uk

Set the tickover at the speed you want it, give the carb a tickle so you just see a bit of petrol. Set adv/retard lever to retard. This will usually be enough to start it. You can try the choke as well if you like.

The tickover speed will also depend where the adv/retard lever is. If you set it with the timing retarded it can be too high when stopping at junctions etc. So I set mine in advanced position because I'm lazy and don't want to keep adjusting the lever when I stop [/quote]

Thanks for the reply. That is odd because when I retard the timing it reduces the engine speed

email (option): andy.hunter@brandsolut.co.uk

Andy as a rule of thumb you should retard the ignition about say 1/3rd as the kick-over speed is nowhere near as fast as a tick over or running speed. In other words if you don't retard it the timing will be too advanced which is what can cause a kick back.

As far as screwing in your throttle stop screw to start it. You can simply raise your throttle slide slightly with the twistgrip if your bike needs it. No need to touch that screw when you have already achieved your desired tick over on a warm engine.

I never use choke on my Brit bikes just a tickle up to fill the float chamber. They're all a bit different so some experimenting with start up procedures is necessary. Fore instance, My M20 only needs a full float bowl whereas my Enfield seems to need a bit more flooding.

Both my Indian engines will not start without choke. One has an American carb the other is Amal. Ron

email (option): ronpier@talk21.com

Andy as a rule of thumb you should retard the ignition about say 1/3rd as the kick-over speed is nowhere near as fast as a tick over or running speed. In other words if you don't retard it the timing will be too advanced which is what can cause a kick back.

As far as screwing in your throttle stop screw to start it. You can simply raise your throttle slide slightly with the twistgrip if your bike needs it. No need to touch that screw when you have already achieved your desired tick over on a warm engine.

I never use choke on my Brit bikes just a tickle up to fill the float chamber. They're all a bit different so some experimenting with start up procedures is necessary. Fore instance, My M20 only needs a full float bowl whereas my Enfield seems to need a bit more flooding.

Both my Indian engines will not start without choke. One has an American carb the other is Amal. Ron [/quote]

Thanks Ron. I appreciate everyone patience

email (option): andy.hunter@brandsolut.co.uk