I'm thinking of fitting Mikuni carbs to my C Rapide. Any for/against/recommendations? thanks
I have a 28mm Mikuni on my Comet, runs smoothly right through the rev range, starts easily when hot, ticks over great and is easy to tune.
The downside.
1/ The 'choke' adds more petrol rather than restricts the air, as we are used to on old bikes. As it comes from Mikuni, putting the lever down adds far too much petrol for a Vincent. Stu Spalding got round this by putting a piece of wire in the feed hole to cut down the flow; I tried this but the wire wasn't thick enough as it still flooded. I will take it apart again when I get the chance and try something a bit thicker. In the meantime I have taken the old fashioned route, a rubber sink plug with a hole in it rammed into the carb mouth to start from cold, works a charm.
2/ As the carb is fed from the top, it starts to gasp for petrol just before the tank is completely empty. This is not normally a problem, but one day Murphy's Law will make sure I REALLY NEED that last drop to save a push.
3/ Mikuni's look like they should be fitted on a lawn mower.
If you intend to use the bike, fit Mikunis. If it's mainly for show - fit a prettier carb.
Lastly, if you want to use our facilities, get information and pick our collective brain - why not join the club and help fund the system?