Thanks guys, after messing around with used Amal carbs with unknown histories on several bike projects, I simply bite the bullet and buy new ones, they are much better than they were made originally.
She’s alive!!!!
Fired her up for the first time two nights ago and rode her for the first time yesterday. Wow, all that time, hard work, and money was worth it. She now starts on first or second kick, idles well and really pulls hard. What a joy to ride and I rode her to work this beautiful morning.
She fought me hard on the final details. After much frustration with the battery carrier and side cover, Skip and I realized it was too low and had been modified. I folded the tops of the carrier back to how it was originally, and everything fit the way it was designed. Skip loves wiring and went over my loom a few times, soldering, crimping and testing all the connections and all the electrical works as it should. Thanks man. The 2 into one cable system is frustrating to say the least and so is the cable bend in to the top of the carbs. The throttle cable routing took quite awhile to get right, so as not to raise the idle. There is not a lot of room under the tank. At times like this, I am glad I bought new Amal carbs, fuel line, and petcocks. They all work well. The motor, primary and gearbox are drip free (so far) but the left fork is weeping oil at the bottom. The clutch cable (new) is sticking and needs to be lubed.
First ride.
Skip (right) and I setting the air mixture on the carbs.
I am going to put on more break-in miles, fettle, go over all the nuts and bolts, recheck the tappet clearances, timing the ignition again, retorque the cylinder head, change the oil, etc. I have been riding clip-on handlebars for 15 years straight and it is a very strange sensation to be sitting upright on a motorcycle. I am still getting used to the upright European bars and have not quite found where I want the bars and control levers. The blade levers may not last too long on my bike and I may switch to the solid cast Amal type.
Anyways, thanks all for the encouragement and support during this build, it really helps. This motorcycle has special and personal meaning to me so I am keeping it for life. Time to put on some more miles….
