My 1952 ES2 fitted with a Monobloc 1.1/16" is an excellent first-kick starter from cold (air lever closed, half retard, light tickle depending on the weather then the classic technique witha barely cracked throttle. However, it's reluctant to restart after a brief petrol stop, needing several kicks. My thoughts are either that the mixture may be a little rich at the bottom end or that it may be a magneto issue - possibly the capacitor. I'll probably fit an easycap in the winter but wondered whether anybody may have other suggestions?
The bike runs like a train and an easy 65 is achieved on ordinary single carriageway A roads, with a nice even idle and smooth pickup.
Heat soak into the carb…
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Thanks John.
It already has a 1/4" insulating spacer. I will try the choke idea - I dimly remember that when I had a 16H50 years ago that it suffered from heat soak. When I was struggling one day a passing elderly chap (probably younger than I am now) who'd been a Don R suggested tickling the carb. That bike had the clip fitting carb with no insulator whereas the monobloc fitted to my ES2 has the flange fitting.
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Warm starting (Dross warning)
I had the same issue with my 16H until I fitted an Easy Cap to the mag. Hot or cold now and no more waiting for the plot to cool down.
Incidentally, my Commando also has the same warm starting issue while usually starting first time on full choke from cold. My answer is no choke when warm and half throttle. (Don't flood with tickle when warm)
If it works, the job is done...
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I'll try the choke...
... but also plan to fit an easycap as the mag hasn't been rebuilt (certainly in my ownership) and not by the previous owner as far as I know.
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Preaching to the Converted.
I am probably Preaching to the Converted here, but I always make sure the bike is on the compression stroke even if I just stop for petrol.
It seems to make a difference, certainly does if I leave the bike overnight or longer.
The other bodge is to close the spark plug gap up a bit.(quite a bit!) If this works then the magneto is definitely living on borrowed time...
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The converted replies....
... Yes, I always go through the full procedure. Works fine when the engine is cold. In fact, when I was struggling a little the other day, I'd only gone a couple of miles before stopping for petrol and the engine was stopped just long enough to fill the tank and pay - 5 minutes? I suspect it hadn't got warm enough to show any mag problems and think it's my technique somehow as obviously I start it from cold much more often.
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Heat soak into the carb coupled with singles not getting a good draw on the carb at kicking speeds is possible (only one suck cycle out of 4). I fixed this on a B44 by doubling the thickness of the heat insulator between carb and head plus fitting a choke. Its now a one kick from warm starter and from cold. I use the choke when the engine is fully warmed and needs to be kicked, so try using closing the air lever when the engine is warm. As soon as the engine starts it will 8 stroke so have a hand near the air lever to open it quickly. Don't tickle it when warm as the mixture stays rich for too long and the plug could foul and oil be washed off the bore.