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Tech. Advice: Series 'B' / 'C' 500cc/1000cc Bikes
Inconsistent starting
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<blockquote data-quote="Kevin Emery" data-source="post: 143256" data-attributes="member: 3883"><p>Hello Peter</p><p></p><p>I have been chasing a similar problem for two years. I believe we have finally got to the cause of the problem. I was helped and guided by Andy Edwards, our section engineer. He is a very good engineer.</p><p>You may be interested in the story.</p><p>My bike was a pig to start but once started it ran well with a strong, slow, tick over.</p><p>I removed the carbs, ultrasonically cleaned them and checked the jets. No problems found and didn't fix the problem.</p><p>I had a problem with my magneto, the engine wouldn't start when hot. I believe this was a known problem with the original magneto. I also thought it could cause the starting problem. I replaced the magneto it fixed the hot start problem but not starting when cold.</p><p>It was taking so long to kick start the bike that I damaged my ankle and spent a month on crutches. Time to go to an electric start. I purchased an electric start kit and with the valiant guidance of Andy we fitted it. I thought that would do it. But even with a new electric starter it was still a pig to start when cold. Strangely it was easier to start it on the kick start that it was on the electric start. Dead end.</p><p>There were threads on the forum about the Magneto cutout cable causing starting problems if routed by the high tension cables. That was pursued and found to be another dead end.</p><p>Andy would not give up. He had an idea. If the engine wasn't starting it wasn't getting the initial extra petrol via the pilot jets. I contacted Burlen and they said no. If there was a problem with fuel flow rates it would also affect tickover. Mine was fine and strong. But we pursued Andy's idea and thought that the way to test this was to add some additional petrol at startup. We did this with a syringe of petrol squeezed directly into the carb. It worked. Squirt petrol in and the engine started first time every time.</p><p>The problem had to be the carbs.</p><p>Andy had two old worn carbs which we used to diagnose the problem. We replaced the rear carb and it made no difference to the starting. We replaced the front carb and it started straight away. Over the next week I started the bike at least five times a day and it starts first time every time.</p><p>I replaced the original rear carb and it still starts every time. The problem was the front carb. We inspected the carb and suspect there is a tiny amount of swarf crushed at the end of where the pilot jet adjuster screw is screwed into the carb body. But it is difficult to be sure and we have no way of removing it.</p><p>I have ordered another carb from Burlen. There is a 6-7 week wait on orders so I still do not have a replacement yet. When I get the new carb I will let you know how I get on.</p><p>In the meantime I am running on one nearly new carb and one very old and worn carb and the bike is running like a dog. But it starts first time every time. I am sure the running problem will be addressed when my new carb is fitted.</p><p></p><p>Keep going, don't give up and I hope you get your bike starting properly.</p><p></p><p>Kevin</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Kevin Emery, post: 143256, member: 3883"] Hello Peter I have been chasing a similar problem for two years. I believe we have finally got to the cause of the problem. I was helped and guided by Andy Edwards, our section engineer. He is a very good engineer. You may be interested in the story. My bike was a pig to start but once started it ran well with a strong, slow, tick over. I removed the carbs, ultrasonically cleaned them and checked the jets. No problems found and didn't fix the problem. I had a problem with my magneto, the engine wouldn't start when hot. I believe this was a known problem with the original magneto. I also thought it could cause the starting problem. I replaced the magneto it fixed the hot start problem but not starting when cold. It was taking so long to kick start the bike that I damaged my ankle and spent a month on crutches. Time to go to an electric start. I purchased an electric start kit and with the valiant guidance of Andy we fitted it. I thought that would do it. But even with a new electric starter it was still a pig to start when cold. Strangely it was easier to start it on the kick start that it was on the electric start. Dead end. There were threads on the forum about the Magneto cutout cable causing starting problems if routed by the high tension cables. That was pursued and found to be another dead end. Andy would not give up. He had an idea. If the engine wasn't starting it wasn't getting the initial extra petrol via the pilot jets. I contacted Burlen and they said no. If there was a problem with fuel flow rates it would also affect tickover. Mine was fine and strong. But we pursued Andy's idea and thought that the way to test this was to add some additional petrol at startup. We did this with a syringe of petrol squeezed directly into the carb. It worked. Squirt petrol in and the engine started first time every time. The problem had to be the carbs. Andy had two old worn carbs which we used to diagnose the problem. We replaced the rear carb and it made no difference to the starting. We replaced the front carb and it started straight away. Over the next week I started the bike at least five times a day and it starts first time every time. I replaced the original rear carb and it still starts every time. The problem was the front carb. We inspected the carb and suspect there is a tiny amount of swarf crushed at the end of where the pilot jet adjuster screw is screwed into the carb body. But it is difficult to be sure and we have no way of removing it. I have ordered another carb from Burlen. There is a 6-7 week wait on orders so I still do not have a replacement yet. When I get the new carb I will let you know how I get on. In the meantime I am running on one nearly new carb and one very old and worn carb and the bike is running like a dog. But it starts first time every time. I am sure the running problem will be addressed when my new carb is fitted. Keep going, don't give up and I hope you get your bike starting properly. Kevin [/QUOTE]
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Tech. Advice: Series 'B' / 'C' 500cc/1000cc Bikes
Inconsistent starting
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