Hitchcocks Forum

Help needed as I on a long trip on my 500cc classic Elec Start bullet and the bike is fine at speed in fact runs beautfully. But it cuts out coming to a halt at traffic lights or pulling in to a petrol station, unless the revs are maintained. It then will not start until it cools down - but will start with a new plug (champion N3c). We set the needle to the mid-point as it had been mistakenly set to lean, and the of the centre plug is grey and the outside is black - so almost right. The air screw is at one turn out rather than the recommended one and a quarter turns. It pops on the overrun very slightly, suggesting slight leanness. It has a new coil and condenser. Points are fine. Bike has 6000kms on it. Any thoughts on what might be causing this 'shut down and inability start' once it is hot? I have ordered new plugs from our hosts but they will take a couple of days to arrive in our remote location.

mag?

Hi guys------Hello 1956SUPERMETEOR, it's a battery/points/HT coil setup, not a magneto but it could well be an electrical/temperature problem......SOFIASPIN, the popping on the overrun is more likely to be a slight leak in your exhaust system (usually where the pipe fits into the head).. Did you do a correct plug "chop" to get that reading ?? It still sounds wrong to me..... Have a look at this for a better idea -> -> -> http://www.prme.nl/forum/images/plugreading.jpg ----------------- What fuel are you using ??(Not that TESCO cheapie stuff I hope ??).. Try this approach}---- with ALL other engine settings at standard and the engine at running temp., adjust the pilot air screw with the engine at a fast idle, to get the optimum setting,( this is quite sensitive and should be done at 45 degree intervals ie 1/8 of a turn..)...The fact that you are at only 1 turn out indicates a need to be slightly rich ie}-- a "weakness" problem in the pilot jet circuit, sometimes a partial fuel blockage.. What plug have you taken out when this N3C is fitted ?? ---------------- Running beautifully at speed indicates the problem is not in the needle or main jet circuits... Leave the needle clip in that No.3 position....Finally it wouldn't hurt to check/change the inlet rubber connector between carb and cyl. head.... If original they have been known to leak....Our hosts do a better quality one with stronger bonding..

Do you have a good bright spark? If its orange rather than white might be worth changing the HT lead and cap. Did it start misbehaving after fitting the new coil/condenser? Just 'cos they're new it doesn't mean they're right.
Have you checked the ignition timing?
Also all the stuff that Alan mentions.

Check the date of the OP lads, this was one of the repeat posts that wasn't answered.

Turned out to be a coil prob i believe... July 20th

AH, oh yes-----------------------------DOH !!!!!!---------------------------------- Check the time of my posting.. I really must GO TO BED instead of playing on the 'puter at all hours !!!!.........JEEZ !!!!!!

I wish people would be considerate enough to reply to their own thread when a problem is solved. Not only would it end the discussion, but it may also help someone else with a similar problem.

Yes Midge, see the point about repeat threads - must be a Hitchcocks site problem. I reported back fully on the problem, which was a failed coil, and fortunately I had a spare.