Hitchcocks Forum

Hey group
After 8-9 kicks my 500 bullet had finally fired and stayed alive as long as I didn’t open the throttle, when opening the throttle the engine died, this has been repeated for a couple of times. (Bike was sitting for 3 weeks, weather conditions here in Cyprus are quiet good, 14-16 degrees)
I have also noticed that white smoke was coming out of the air filter box and a tiny quantity of petrol was leaking out of either the carp or the fuel tap hose, engine was also sounded different.
If u recall I have faced the same problem in the past (in August) and I have decided to have it fixed by my local mechanic, this time I have decided to fix it myself thus I seek for your advice.
Any idea what seems to be the problem?
NOTE: In December 2011 I have changed the air filter and in August12 I have cleaned the carb and had the carb intake hose replaced.
Regards
Patrick

Hello Pat

(01) I would slip the Carb off in One Bit, Still attached To cables, (Takeing the tank off Might Help).
If Micarb (Or similar)...(02) Unscrew The Carb Top(care full as the Slide Spring Pushes up) But do Not Pull Fully apart..........

(03)...Now Get a tin of WD 40 (or Similar) Squirt Plenty in, Top on, Hold it in your hand..And Move Your throttle cable and Air leaver Etc up and Down a Bit.......
You Should Tell By Feel if Its Sticking Any where.....Repeat (03) WD & Throttle........ (O4)..Now Put it Back on your Bike, IF Rubber Mounted Check for fit, If Nuts/Flange Not To tight...Tank On Etc....(05) Now before you fire it up Move throttle, And Listen at The carb For Movement,Bottoming clicks, And feel For easy of action..................(06) With Fresh Petrol, Tickel/or Choke on..One Kick (Ing Off) 2nd On...And Good Luck........"And If! Still NO.:.check Fuel supply,Points,Battery,Carb...Check.....If irate Running Strip and Clean Carb...But They Should run even with a Bad Carb as Long as its all moveing and the Fule is flowing.... IMHO ;00

IF Petrol Is Leaking, Your Float Bowl is Over Flowing!...Flushing With WD40 as I Stated Might remove Bits Of Crap/Dirt Holding up a Needle or Slide... If Still no good your Floats could Be Faulty and Holed...You Can Drop the Bottom off most Carbs ..4 Screws Hold On the Mikarab...Hold A Clean Bowl under it as you do it so If all of it Falls in, Float.Pivot, & Needle you have it safe.....(like wise you can see if a load Crap/Dirt comes Out)... I hope you know what I mean: Mr H's Tuning Guide for the Mickarb in the"Technical Notes" will help you If you have Never Been inside a Carb at all..."Good Luck"

Thanks for the notes
As I said my knowledge in bikes is not much...do you think that a flat or almost flat battery may be the cause of my problem? if yes how is this possible since the bike has fired.
Also instead of WD40 can I use a carb cleaner?
Thanks

Hello Patrick,i`m new to enfields,when you get the bike started on tickover and give it throttle as you say and dies,have you tried removing the spark plug to see if it`s wet with fuel or dry.Usually when you open the throttle you introduce more air into the engine and it should pick up more fuel.Also have you an inline fuel filter to stop any *rap from entering the carb?

Could well be the battery even though the engine starts. My battery gave up last year and gave simular problems.

Sounds like blocked main jet, but worth checked for float chamber overflow. ... In either case refer to Technical Notes for Mikcarb...http://www.hitchcocksmotorcycles.com/pi ... s_-_a4.pdf