Hitchcocks Forum

Honest replies please,does your choke/starter jet work (that plunger operated by that little lever)now it`s colder weather? If so what air filter have you got?

Hello,JAFFA 90---------------- HONEST ANSWER ( And I'm as honest as the day is long !!---- Oh look, my watch has stopped.)= Yes, of course it does. As of 2.30pm to-day in fact. And that was after approx. 3-week lay-off to work the cyl head etc. Are you having problems then ??? I'm using the "Tea Caddy" type filter.

Hello AlanR,as you know i`m new on here,my 2003 535cc lightning (import) has a free flow air filter and exhaust,the air filter is a foldered up wire mesh with a chrome plated end which blew off on a backfire starting up.I`ve replaced it with a conicle wire mesh with no backplate.The choke has always been useless (jet is clear) which i think is down to slow airflow through the ventura, i have made a conicle cover out of seat vinyl to smother the filter (air choke filter old times)which now starts first kick without turning the engine over a few times as instructed.

Yes mines fine, if you are covering your filter and its starting ok, then you may want to check airleaks from the rubbers on the carb., also if its new to you check that the jets are correct for your exhaust/filter set-up, dont forget timing has to be good, and its not a true "choke" more of fuel enrichment, great fun getting the old girl running well eh what !

Hello neddy,I`ve checked the rubbers when i checked the carb,i should have wrote down the pilot/main jet no`s.I tried the cover again nearly smothering the filter and it started first kick again but sucked the cover and completely choked it and stopped.I will be finding out what percentage of filter cover is needed and also trying the choke jet. The spark plug shows very slightly rich which as we all know is a safe side.The exhaust is blueish as AlanR pics.

I'm using the standard air filter on my 500 Lightning. The Main and Pilot jet are richer ones and the Slide is also one step richer. My 'Choke' works just fine. I only tend to use it for starting first thing in the morning. After a couple of hundred yards, it switch it off.

Thanks for that Barry Q,I don`t know the history of mine but it`s obvious that it has bigger jets,also when the bike starts it will rev happily without choke or my air filter cover,that tells me it`s a richer pilot/main jet mixture.(the float/fuel level shut off valve is spot on.)

Hi guys --------- the one on the LEFT is No2 Bullet, and is at standard settings. Use that one as your guide---- the one on the right is No1 Bullet and shows the exhaust downpipe in "As purchased" condition where the previous owner had fitted nearly every bolt-on goodie that MrH has to offer including a totally baffle-free Goldie pipe and cone filter BUT !!!!-----was running the carb at Standard jetting, hence it wouldn't pull the skin off a rice pudding, sounded like Concorde on a low-level fly-past and could be overtaken by a Raleigh Wisp!!--(That's why I got the bike cheaply !!) In the photo I have just shortened the standard "Long-Tom" silencer by some 6" and am about to paint it in heat-black.... Incidentally the actual filter unit in the "Tea Caddy" system is not very restrictive and I treat it as a free-flow type when it comes to jetting etc. With a 19T g'box sprocket I cruise at an indicated 55-60 without the engine sounding stressed at all.... This one now has an 8.5:1 piston fitted, and a 30 mm Amal Mk1 as a Christmas present for it soon... At that point I'll give a 20T sprocket a go.