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model 18

Submitted by tom_hallah on Mon, 08/05/2017
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Hi, I have bought a 1929 model 18, apparently with a re-built engine with a high comp piston. It's really difficult to start, but when it does start sounds fantastic. Both my legs are now aching with the effort...I've had it running for about ten minutes after which it is throwing out loads of blue smoke, obviously burning a lot of oil. oil pump is set about halfway.

I've been trying to start it with the advance/retard about two thirds retarded, and with various carb settings.

Also it pissing oil out of the kick start when it does run, and kick start doesn't spring back.

I would appreciate any help.

Thanks in advance.

Tom.

Submitted by robert_tuck on Tue, 09/05/2017

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I know nothing about model 18's, but my Rudge Ulster was a bitch to start till I got it well set up and gained confidence that it would not kick back. Mag brushes/points clean, basic timing not over advanced (mag working near to good flux point) ,small 10 thou points gap ,small plug gap ,no resistor plug or cap, timing set the point it wont kickback but not retarded. pilot mixture not weak ,fuel level close to flooding.Crankcase not over full of oil, new fuel ,carb insulator if possible,clean plug, flood carb till fuel appears (but no more).Kick over a couple of times with valve lifter pulled then Lean on kickstart till eases over compression then full kick.

Submitted by tom_hallah on Tue, 09/05/2017

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Thanks, I will have to go over it from the ground up, and check everything.

Does anyone know what the right spark plug for this model is?

Submitted by svein_marken on Tue, 09/05/2017

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Hi Tom, I own and use a 1926 M18 regulary. If your engine is smoking at start up you have to much oil in the crankcase and I have adjusted my oilpump to about 1/4 open. I use Champion D16 and that works well. The oilpump should be adjusted so the engine will give a blue "haze" when the throttle are shut of and open again at road speed. The piston in my engine have two compression rings and no oil ring. I have also put a tap at the oil supply. This is a total loss oil system. Maybe your have a return system on your bike. This work very well on my bike. Good luck!!! Svein.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 09/05/2017

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Previously tom_hallah wrote:

Hi, I have bought a 1929 model 18, apparently with a re-built engine with a high comp piston. It's really difficult to start, but when it does start sounds fantastic. Both my legs are now aching with the effort...I've had it running for about ten minutes after which it is throwing out loads of blue smoke, obviously burning a lot of oil. oil pump is set about halfway.

I've been trying to start it with the advance/retard about two thirds retarded, and with various carb settings.

Also it pissing oil out of the kick start when it does run, and kick start doesn't spring back.

I would appreciate any help.

Thanks in advance.

Tom.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 09/05/2017

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Hi Tom,

I had the same problem, I foundit had to much oil in the crankcase and I adjusted the oil pump until the blue smoke was a very fine mist. on tick over (throttle shut) .I took me a while to get the setting right. You will also need to check it when running i.e. throttle open. Good luck, it took me a couple of trips to get it right.

Cheers

Steve

Submitted by tom_hallah on Wed, 10/05/2017

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Hi thanks for the help.

I cleaned and reset the points and plug gap, it's K8G (a bit hard?) and had it more advanced, and it started second kick. I turned the oil flow down a bit and it seemed a lot better.

An oil tap sounds like a good idea.

Trial and error....

 


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