Hitchcocks Forum

When the EFI models were first released, I half jokingly asked if we would see an Amal conversion for traditionalists. Francois P. Weill, the Frenchman who writes better English and knows more about Brit bikes than many of us, was most scathing, saying a carb would never better a well-set up EFI system.
Well, here we are. I have no intention ever to buy an EFI, let alone convert it, but I would suspect that, given they were both optimally tuned, the EFI's ability to deliver the correct mixture with precision under all conditions would beat the carb.
What do people think?

hi john,i must admit i can,t think why anybody would want to junk the injector but its down to personal choice i suppose ,i actually think its a backward step although people junk the disc set up and fit a twin leading shoe and then theres the rigid conversion ,what makes sense to some doesn,t to others ,personally i want to here from anybody who,s done the carb conversion so come on let us know,the most backward thing i,ve done is fit traditional tool boxes to my electra x leanburn.atb paul.

As a new EFI (formerly Electra)owner who converted the Electra to Amal from Mikuni i don't really see the point either.As far as i could tell the Amal was no better than the Mikuni and was also harder to set up.However i think the idea behind Mr.H's conversion is so you can avoid the expense of buying a power commander and fit pretty much all the other combos of exhaust,silencer etc.If you've got the cash and like to modge then i suppose that's one way to go.

John I remember your post at the time and Francois response. I also agree that the EFI will always provide more precise metering and probably more consistent performance.
My Electra XS has a 32mm Dell'Orto which is an excellent unit and suits the bike very well. However it pops and bangs a bit on the overun (no air leaks) and it likes the mixture and air screws to be slightly adjusted depending on the atmospheric conditions. Warm up is noticeably much slower at less than about 11 degrees C.
All the EFI bikes that I have ridden have been much more consistent and the system sensors adjust the fuelling to match the air temp & engine temp perfectly.
HOWEVER - I personally like the feel and control provided by a cable pulling an airslide, it particularly suits the RE's charactor and makes the rider feel as if he is part of the machine rather than the EFI unit telling you what it wants to do. If anything this is perhaps my one 'criticism' of the EFI UCE Bullet.
As far a performance goes a single point EFI system does not normally offer a power or torque advantage over a good carb set-up. I believe that this is the type of EFI fitted to the Bullet. Multi point EFI generally can increase power and torque by up to 20% - but then so can a bigger carb with cut-down airbox and free flow filter, wouldn't it?

Stu,
I fitted a 32 Delorto to a 612 I built recently, started with a couple of kicks adjusted the idle and haven't had to touch it again

hi norm ,you have got better weather out there, in blighty the atmos is heavy man!! right stu ?i had dellorto,s and amals a hundred years ago on a few lambrettas,i had a 30mm del on a chopper model lowrider and i also ran a mk2 amal concentric that was when petrol was cheaper it must have been as my jeans were always covered in 4* /castrol mix from the blow back, happy days!atb paul.

I would realy recommend the PC with a Autotune set up. The results are more than satifying. We just came back form a 1500 km trip around the Western Cape in South Africa and no matter the altitude the fuel air ratio was adjusted almost instanteniously from sea level to 1800 above sea level.

Regards

Roeland

You're right there Paul! I'm not surprised or disappointed that I have to very slightly adjust my carb depending on season/ambient temperture. I mean, people in the UK used to change their engine oil based on the same criteria before multigrades...
Roeland, forgive my ignorance what is a 'PC with Autotune SET UP'?