Hitchcocks Forum

Back again chaps,having fitted eureka ignition system I went for a spin and found Tinker running very nicely, having started first kick. After a few miles I came to a long straight steady climb, and opened the throttle well past the halfway mark only for the bike to splutter as if out of petrol. I instinctively switched to reserve which made no difference. By now the engine had completely stopped, and I pulled up at the first opportunity. Checked the tank to find it half full. Kicked her over and she came straight back to life. Decided to head home, and once again the bike ran perfectly until I opened her up on the main road, this time the road was level, but again she faltered and spluttered to a stop after a short distance. She started up again no problem and I got home using moderate throttle openings, riding at a steady 45/50mph. Could this be a blocked main jet? The new ignition system seems to have the bike running very sweetly, but could it be giving trouble at high revs?

No Wilf, if the main was blocked it wouldn't run much over tickover.
I always suspect the last thing I did so have you got that Eureka set up properly?

Unlikely ignition but only way you can really tell with the electronic ignition is to strobe check it to be 100%sure, strip the carb and also check fuel flow through the tap, check the tap strainer and make sure the tank cap can breath ok

Thanks lads,I thought the Eureka went in too easily. I agree the last thing to be changed is the most probable culprit. Pete, if the timing is out would it produce the symptoms I described? Having said that, I did try "bump" starting her as she coasted, to no avail, yet when she came to a halt she fired up first kick.

Thanks lads,I thought the Eureka went in too easily. I agree the last thing to be changed is the most probable culprit. Pete, if the timing is out would it produce the symptoms I described? Having said that, I did try "bump" starting her as she coasted, to no avail, yet when she came to a halt she fired up first kick.

Sorry, senior moment.

Had a look at your posting Earl, and it looks a bit different to my problem. Mine just splutters and dies, just like running out of petrol, but backing off the throttle won't bring her back to life, only stopping and kick starting seems to work, which makes me suspect I've not got the Eureka set up properly.

If it will run ok at 45/50mph then it isn't a timing issue unless there is something wrong with the actual unit, only way to check this is to refit the points and see if the problem still exists

Good idea Norm, it had crossed my mind. Reckon I'm in denial having just paid out for the Eureka unit.

Wilf, this sounds exactly like fuel starvation to me. Is the tank cap breather clear? I'd check all the usual stuff 'twixt tank and float chamber.