Hitchcocks Forum

On my 350 Bullet (2007), the bike starts first or second kick, but even after it's fully warmed up, the engine dies immediately if the choke is taken off. I've taken the carb apart and checked it according to guidance in technical notes. The float is in the correct position as per recommendation (i.e 24 to 26 mm above body of carb. The only fault I can find is that the air screw is slightly bent which I'll replace. It doesn't seem to matter what position the air screw in in as far as the running of the engine goes.

Has anyone any ideas or is it a case of the Mikcarb being a load of crap?

I should add that the bike hasn't been started for about 5 years until a recently completed renovation. I was amazed that it fired up second kick after everything was conneced after the renovation.

Nothing wrong with a micarb.

like Reg said, the micarb is good.

its even a beter carb than most of the amal series, pre monobloc, monobloc, Mk1.



check the stationary jet, its probably clogged.

hence this is probably also why the air screw isn't working.

Pilot out-let, and possibly the pilot jet too, are obstructed with residual varnish from old petrol deposits.


Clean the carb thoroughly

Hi himself l had a similar problem with my 350.I suggest you check the carb flange where it fits on to the cylinder head is the carb flange warped is the o ring in place I put a new micarb on mine it was new from India but the flange was poorly machined and sucked air on the joint to the head and would only run with the choke on so I put the old carb back with parts from the new carb bike now runs fine by the way micarbs IMO are just fine.I'm going to have the new carbs flange machined flat that will teach me to be wary of Indian spares although its the first time I've had a problem.ride safe Chris.

Ceb it is easy to flatten carb flange, a piece of plate glass or old mirror and wet/dry emery will do the job.

Thanks to everyone for advice and informing me Mikcarb is a good instrument. It looks like the problem is to do with the pilot jet; it was totally blocked. Unfortunately I damaged the jet in trying to clear it so have ordered a new one from Mr H. As far as I can see, all the gaskets and spacers are fine and I put a new O ring on the carb flange. I also trued the flange in the way Beezabryan suggests but the damaged jet seems to be not functioning properly. I'll let you all know what transpires.

Success! New pilot jet did the trick. Actually, it appears the original pilot jet was the wrong size. It's difficult to make out the number stamped on the bottom of the original jet - even looking through a magnifying glass - but it doesn't look like 25 which is what the standard size is. I suspect the original pilot jet was way too small.