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Rough running

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Carburettor woes...having (foolishly) replaced a functioning but incorrect pair of concentrics with the correct monoblocs.. it no longer functions.  Jets are all clean. Balance is OK and individual mixtures were set yesterday using colour tune. But it's rough, dropping to one cylinder today. It's spitting back through RH carb. I'm beginning to think a sticking valve? I need to talk it through. There are limits to the noise I can make outside the house on a Sunday. Both coils show about 4 ohms. Battery voltage is 12.5, drops to 9.5 across the coils when switched on. Lucas RITA. 150psi compression on both sides yesterday.

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If the carb swap is the only change, why not replace the concentrics to see if it still runs as well as it did? There's little point in speculating on non-carb issues if the carbs are the only change.

If the concentrics work then the fault is with the new carbs. No knowledge of monoblocs so I'll defer to one of the experts on the forum.

Hope you get to the bottom of the issue.

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Good thinking, sadly.  First I'll make a plastic cover for the float chamber and check the level. But I think I'd better leave a bit of my chosen material soaking in petrol overnight!

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I have the glass ended extension I use for my mono lock set up. Welcome to borrow it eliminate fuel level.

 

Cheers

Jon

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Hi David,

Do/did these come with the infamous 'stay up' float(s)?

I had issues when I fitted one of them last year, with the bike running very rich low  down.  When checked, the float fuel level was nearly a 1/4" too high.

(Apparently, as you probably already know, the dot/pimple on  the cover is correct level.)

My issue was resolved by the simple expedient of fitting a second gasket to the cover. Not found out why as it works and isn't leaking!

I am by no means the only one who has had issues with these 'stick down' floats, so definately worth a check.

Note: For a quick check for fuel level, dont bother making a plastic window. Remove the r/h jet holder and bend the link pipe up. You will then see the fuel level in the pipe. If you have black pipe, just gently lower it until fuel starts to flow and that is your level. 

If you do make a clear cover, make sure the plastic is fuel safe - I made one last year and it lasted less than a minute before crazing and falling apart. Obviously I used the wrong sort of  plastic!

Keep us posted on what you find out. 

Regards, George. 

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Thanks Jon, and George. I have some clear acrylic and it seems to have survived soaking in petrol for several hours. I wasn't sure if it was acrylic or polystyrene sheet.  I remember trying to catch some fuel in a polystyrene beaker once. Not a pretty sight.

But I like the idea of lifting the RH banjo.  I'll give it a try first. I might even have some clear tube.

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Hi David, It does sound like a low fuel level or a float  not being free to move. I had to rub a few thou off the little brass spacer  .I also have had trouble with floats jamming in the fully down position .  

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I made an acrylic cover and the level looks OK. I'll try fresh fuel before any more radical moves. The Dommie has not been the best starter for some time...I put it down to lack of use...but I'm beginning to suspect ignition issues. (Most carburation issues are allegedly caused by ignition  and vice versa...!) Might get Al Osborne to check my RITA.

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Thanks Paul ... I  don't know. I've no idea how to test one.  I shall try some new fuel first.  But it's been a bit temperamental recently. I'd like to put the mag back on...but one thing at a time! It might be sulking for lack of use recently.

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... with making a clear float chamber cover is that it may mask the original problem which could be related to the standard cover (eg the spacer as mentioned by others). It's easy enough to make a level indicator using some clear tube from the pilot jet (or by modifying a spare main jet cover like this).

float level

 


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