Forum

[Alan R]

Hi guys ---------- Has anyone experienced clearance problems between the underside of the fuel tank and the top of the Mikcarb on a Classic 500 Bullet. ?? My throttle cable is bent at almost 90 degrees just to clear. It's a 2005 model. Was the rear mounting boss ever fitted to the top of the frame tube rather than on the underside at any time ??  It seems as if the tank's rear support legs are short by 2" or so. Any thoughts ?? I think this is the standard tank---- is the 18ltr tank much different in shape and size ?? I am the third owner but no previous info has been handed down to me. 

[Norm]

 Hi Alan,


        They are all like that, nothing new about this problem, roll the carb to the right and the cable will clear enough and the carb on an angle doesn't present any probs.

[Alan R]

Hi Norm---- you're beginning to sound like an Enfield dealer---- "They're all like that sir !!"  Ha-ha. OK, I'll give that a go-- at least you didn't say "Bash the underside with a 2lb hammer"  Seems our Gwilli had a bit of an "Enfield moment" to-day ??  Bye 4 now

[trevorch]

Norm's right. I changed to an Amal Monoblock, but problem is more or less the same and to make matters worse you have a choke cable as well. Try to let the cable run up into the tank tunnel, after you have twisted the carb over a little, and then let the cable run naturally up to the twist grip. Makes for a smoother operation. At least with the Amal, once you have checked the correct throttle cu away and got the  needle in the right slot, you can do everything else, like changing jets, removing the float bown with the carb in place. Somethings you just have to live with, or buy an EFI, like I did.

[Alan R]

Hi guys ------ have a look at these three on E-bay.------- a)   140711851462----------- b)   150679625679 ---------- c)        150679631724         You can quite clearly see the top of the VM28 carb in these pix. Mine is not like this at all. Have there been changes in  designs or shapes to the underside over the years ??  

[Winkie]

Hi folks. Haven't posted here before so thought I would give it a go. On my bike - a 1999 Classic 500- the fuel tank is clearly a different shape on the right hand side. There is a distinct cutaway on the right which runs virtually the tank length, so clearance, whilst tight, is not too much of a problem. Looking at various photos there does seem to be considerable variation in carb clearance, complicated by the different manifold arrangements that I have spotted.


 My bike is probably not typical. I picked it up last year at the Stafford show, and is quite different. It had hardly been used, having been registered in the UK in 1997. Seems to be a home market model, but has a complete late type front end, complete with disc brake, Avon tyres, a separate chrome head lamp, speedo on a neat alloy bracket, and air filter and battery box of a shape that I can't find anywhere. Also has different wiring - no funny AC/DC set up, just a simple circuit. The initial MOT prior to SVA was carried out on the same industrial estate as Watsonians.Bit of a mystery bike!

[Alan R]

Hi Winkie, welcome to the forum .  --------- I chose those three because they were all in "Standard" trim and appear to have faily good clearances. My bike ( a 2005 classic 500 ) seems different. Yours does sound like it's an import job ( home market = Indian Home, ) Be interesting to folow that a bit further ??? Keep us informed please ??

[Norm]

 Hi Alan,


          I haven't looked at the ebay ones but I assume they are earlier models, all the E/S ones I have come across have this carby issue. I haven't compared the earlier tanks to the later ones but that is probably where the issue is even though they look pretty much the same

[Alan R]

Now then, standing in the corner of my workshop----------------------------------------all by itself----------------------------------------------is a nice------------------------------------------------------------10 ton press--------------------------------------------------Hmmmmmm ????? --------------------if I just ------------------

[Norm]

 Alan,


     Don't worry about the press unless you are thinking of shortening the carb but if you mark where the cable is hitting the underside of the tank and get somebody to hold the tank and then with a big swift clout with a big hammer should make it fit. Might split the seam, but cable should clear the tank .