Hitchcocks Forum

2008 Electra X, bought 9 months ago, just 1600 on clock. Sprag had been removed, but a new bearing was with the bike, so the mechanic I use fitted this - with me assisting. He is highly rated, huge experience, former local Triumph shop chief mechanic. Anyway, added lots of hosts bits, including Amal Mk1, 50s pipe, dual seat, replaced oils etc etc- a full service and it goes very well. Two problems - often, but not always, it kicks back on starting (both kick start and ES) with a hideous crunching/shuddering noise. We stripped and checked everything and could find nothing amiss. My iron barrel ES 4 speed has no such problems. Any initial thoughts welcome as we have either made a major mistake, or 'they are like that'!

The fact the bike ran perfectly, and is fast, and very responsive, but now, suddenly, will not start - is another topic.

Thanks for any informed advice.

Seems to me you have replaced too many things at once so it will be difficult to see where the problem may be. I'd be checking the ignition timing and getting the carb in tune.

Noise made by starter motor brushes going wrong way on commutator and getting chewed up as it rotates backwards?

Thanks both good points ref ignition timing and brushes. We will go back to basics and take it from there. Starting problems may point to blocked pilot jet as there is 'stand on kick start' compression, spark, new Motoblatt battery, fuel tickles freely, plugs fine so will report back but always open to new ideas, regards, Ian

PeteF, the Electra-X has TCI ignition, the trigger runs off the crankshaft and the timing is fixed.



Sofiaspin, the noise made by the E/S mechanism when the Electra backfires is quite unpleasant, too much of this will see your new sprag clutch go the way of the first one. don't ask me how I know, except to say that the noise you describe sounds familiar. I think PeteF **is** right when it comes to checking that your carburettor is set-up correctly, and making sure there are no air leaks around the flange. If it's a Mk1 Amal Concentric the non-starting issue could be the dreaded blocked pilot jet, which, unless it's one of the newer Premier series by Burlen engineering, could be quite a faff to clear.



A.

Beat me to the reply! A.

There must be some device to provide advance/retard.

Mechanically you can either use an offset woodruff key to move the ignition timing or file out the slots on the pick up unit but the problem is knowing how much to retard/advance it by because unfortunately without making a large hole in the primary chain case it's rather difficult to check.

Black or green TCI? One of these retards ignition at start up..

Pete, the advance/retard is all done in the "black box", sensor etc to trigger ignition are all non adjustable as standard. (not to mention the available off set woodruff keys - hosts after market).