Hitchcocks Forum

Hi all..

From past few months I have had a very hard time selecting a carb for my Machismo 500 aka Electra X. Finally got myself a VM34 Mikuni and at moment I am gathering the supporting jets for that carb to work. I always wanted to have an Amal carb because I have heard a lot about them. Even my dad used Amals back in those days... Recently I have asked a lot of friends about these carbs and many said that the build quality is not good.

I have never used these carbs and have no clue about these. So is it true that Mikuni has better build quality than Amal carbs?

Also what about the different versions of Amal carbs? what do they stand for? I mean they got different versions like MK1,MK2,Monobloc,Pre-monobloc and Racing GP2. The Racing GP2 one sounds really yummy btw

By the way can anyone tell me the pro's and cons of these different types of Amal Carbs? also how good they are when we compare them with Mikunis.

-Sanket

"Back in the day" Amal carbs were fine but the demise in the English bike industry was mirrored by a decline in Amals fortunes and the subsequent R&D required to keep pace with developments. I understand there have been huge improvements made by Burlen fuel systems on Amal carbs recently. Unfortunately they seem reluctant to say where and by whom they are actually manufactured. It is one thing to package them in England but quite another to make them here or assemble them from imported parts. I suspect they are probably made in China but does that actually matter? Perhaps someone here has bought one recently, does it say made in England / China / India on it, the carb ( not the box)?
Also there are Wassell copies and some very dodgy chinese or russian snides about so buyer beware. As for build quality, I bought a new, very expensive Webber not so long ago and found it blocked by swarf. It was beautifully made however but let down by appalling quality control.
You probably don't need to get involved with GP or pre-monoblocs, a relatively simple mk1 concentric or monobloc is all you would need.
Is the Mikuni much different from the Mikarb?

Hi guys ------------ I bought a 32mm Mk1 Concentric kit from our hosts recently---have just looked at the carb. & box. Just says the usual stuff about Burlem etc. mention about where it's made on the body. On the box it just says "England".>>>>>>>> Question for DAMPKING}---- so what's happened/wrong with the original carb. as fitted ?? If you want help/parts etc for your Mikuni try these people--------------------http://www.allensperformance.co.uk/jets ... ------.Use your GOOGLE and Wikipedia (info & images) for details on those carbs mentioned but forget the GP2 etc. "cos thems is for the fast-track lads and costa lota dosho !!" Just for information>>>> the term "concentric" eventually became a generic one. Originally it related to the float in the carb being placed around the main jet/emulsion tube assy. to give an even flow rate no matter what the lean angle was. Have a look at this-------------http://www.amalcarb.co.uk/TechnicalDeta ... ---------- Later, other manufacturers followed suit as it gives a very neat, compact design especially when allied to the Constant Vacuum principle as well. ------ that's the type fitted to your Electra X as standard. Are you looking to fit an AMAL because it ---looks the part?? Stay with that Mikuni. It's a modern build by a reliable manufacturer who are a world-wide concern.

Hi--------- have just tried to proof-read that first link with no success. It's ALLENS PERFORMANCE CARBS. They stock/make/deal with Mikuni carbs etc. and are in Nottingham. The second link to AMAL carbs is ok

OH----BOVVER!!! The link didn't come in where I wanted it to SO }---- Look for "Notes on re-building the Amal Mk1 Concentric Carb."

If you have not read this artical from Old Bike mart on the subject of Amal Carbs its well worth a read. Lets hope this link works if you copy & Paste.
http://www.amalcarb.co.uk/documentdownl ... umentid=42

Hi,I recently bought an Amal concentric mk1 but had to send it back as the jet for the float needle was not in the right position and not letting enough fuel in, it came back re adjusted.Should not have had to send back.

Hi BRIAN H------------ a few years ago I fitted a Mk1 kit to my Bullet 65. One evening I had accidentally left the fuel tap on. I came downstairs in the morning to find the garage floor awash with 3 gallons of petrol !!! The carb had been fitted with one of those floats that were incorrectly assembled and slowly leaked.To-day the house still stands and the float was replaced (FOC !!) by the supplier. Humorous now maybe, but on reflection I hadn't thought to turn off the central heating boiler at the time. ( The garage is built-in alongside the house). Good cardio-vascular work-out that morning.

That's a lot of information! I checked all the links.. Seriously.. Amal is a Legend but how good is it when we are looking for performance? I mean.. in the near future I would like to go for bigger carbs like 36mm or so. So for that range.. should I go for Amal or stick to the Mikunis? I don't mind spending time... learning stuff about Amal Carbs.----
Reading all the stuff about Amals.. I kinda feel that Amals are more old schoolish and the mikunis are advanced with little bit of Artificial Intelligence -----I have heard good stuff about TM36 mikunis and also heard good stuff about Amal 36mm carbs from Bulletwhisperer (aka Paul Henshaw). I am really in love with the 36mm carb but a bit confused. I almost bought a 36mm last month but a friend told me to stick to VM34 as many people tried these and results are good.-----Thanks again everyone for the valuable info!----

-Sanket

For what it is worth, read Mark M's timely
reminder to me in posting under 'Early 500
twin'. As he says, increased carb size has
be matched with modified cyl.head, and other
upgrades to be effective. Nothing's new, out
here every clown with a Harley Sporster puts
something horrendous on the inlet manifold,
even a SU carb from a Jaguar. Of course, they
barely idle, but impress the natives, which
is what you may have in mind anyway.