Re: Cold Starting (or not starting)

Posted by hendred on Jan 07, 2019; 7:14pm
URL: http://silk-motorcycles.221.s1.nabble.com/Cold-Starting-or-not-starting-tp5001798p5001800.html

Agree with Paul about fresh fuel and draining down the carb.  I also drain down the water system for the winter lay up.  Having to use a wide throttle opening to start the bike suggests a rich mixture.  I experienced a similar situation during the summer.  Have you checked the plugs - mine were quite wet when I tried to start the bike.  The problem turned out to be a passing fuel tap.  In my experience the Amal MKII float needle doesn't seal very well if the bike is left with petrol switched on.  Due to the angle of the inlet any petrol passing runs into the crankcase making the mixture very rich.  Kicking it over a with the plugs out to clear the crankcase and fitting dry plugs and the engine started.  Once started would then start with the throttle just cracked open.  Leave it for five days and back to the same problem.  Cleaning the carb and new float needle made no difference.  My petrol tap tapered plug was scored allowing a small amount of petrol to pass.  Lapped in the plug to make a tight seal on the tap and no further problems.  Bike starts as per the manual.