Forum

[Alan R]

Hi again----just a thought or two on that clutch cable. The 5-speed boxes as first supplied had a very difficult entry-angle into the outer cover. There was a mod. for this( I think our hosts do something along these lines ?? )--- that might be thenon-standard item you are seeing ??  Ta-ra 4 now.

[Alan R]

--------------and give some thought to our hosts "oversize valve"----worth every penny IMHO. PLUS } what state are the valve guides in ? Originals are cast iron and probally u/s by now if not actually cracked fron the u/s valve. Try the Phos. bronze items instead. used in racing engines and dong fracture and break-up ( had that as well---NOT NICE !!! ). Sleep well  

[Gwilly]

Well done, your getting there. finding the problem is half the battle.
Before removing the head you must try a little key hole surgery through
the exhaust port. exhaust would have to come off anyway. I'm hoping
there is just a build up of carbon around the lower valve stem. try to
soak with redex or sea foam they call it in the states. awkward but may
soften it and allow movement again. Not running too rich are we? with
regard to the clutch. The 5 speed sixty five has a ball and ramp type
clutch throwout mechanism,in around 2008 it was upgraded with a mk2
version. its possible that the plate has cracked between the ball ramps,
this will reduce lift when clutch lever pulled in. you may have to
remove outer case and have a look. Assume you didnt loose 5mm ball
bearing that fits between clutch rods. cable nipple is shaped like a
pawn in chess set, make sure throwout lever slot fits into the waist
between ball and base, if that makes any sense. rambled enough for now.
cheers gwilly.

[falcone]

Many thanks for all the helpful
comments and suggestions, which I'll act on. Am about to go back out
in to the garage for a little while. I'll at least get the exhaust
and carb' off for tomorrow' session.


Running rich – funnily enough, just
minutes before I stopped at my friends before the eventual traumatic
re-start, I had very obvious signs of running rich. Something that
certainly hadn't been obvious before. I noticed that on the longish,
straightish bit of road leading up to my friends house that the bike would most definitely
run better with the throttle backed off – a sign I believe over
over richness. I made a note to give that some thought and attention.
Rather had my hand forced 10 mins later! I'm running an Amal Mk1
which hasn't been fitted that long. If anything with the Trails
straight through exhaust I had more expected running weak. Had
checked the plugs quite regularly and seemed okay. Obviously the
valve was preparing to lock itself up due to the rich running.


Had been looking in the catalogue att
he larger valves and phos' bronze guides. Will give more thought as I
am off the road with the Enfield for a while and the heads coming
off.


Have frequently used the silicone trick
but doesn't seem to last too long.


Clutch? I think this may well be the
Hitchcocks replacement. Must admit when I said I checked the
push-rods I didn't check the ball bearing, just took the rods out at
each end. I'll look at that again. Yes, understand the 'chess piece'
allusion and was fitted properly. More investigating needed.


Pity as such a nice day I'd have gone
for a ride. Will I be thrown out the 'Hitchcocks Message Board' club
if I admit the Enfield is the winter come/dodgy weather bike? The
Guzzis tend to be rather more pampered and there's still a great deal
of salt on the roads at the moment – sorry!

[Gwilly]

Listen, no explanation needed. just goggled V7 classic as havent kept up with modern bikes,and must say gorgeous looking bike,wise decision on your part. The repair bill on a dropped guzzi would have a man in tears.  Enfield trials type is great fun around the lanes. Horses for coarses. Have you got the close ratio gear set and knobbly tyres yet. mr H is rubbing his hands together, No chance of you being blanked by anyone in this community. No worries.  

[Gwilly]

Just re read your last post. Your bike is running weak on upper throttle range, too small main jet. shutting back throttle brings mixture back into stoichmetric thingy. Too much air on full open throttle. May be too rich lower down the range. will need plug chops to check when running again. Haha have written more today than have in months. House bound last three weeks, slipped disc in back. Cabin fever. gwilly.

[falcone]

Love the Trail bike look although must admit it has road tyres and doesn't venture off road I don't have the ability or the balance - far too top heavy!


I have been lazy with the Enfield I must admit. Keep up with the servicing but after fitting the Amal I never did get round to checking it all properly as it seemed to run well. Have taken early retirement so no excuse now. Once back together I will set up properly.


Been back out in the garage and went further than intended and ended up taking the head off - boy I'd forgotten what a pig it is to get it off those last few centimetres. Have only taken off once before to replace gaskets. Fins intact though!


Was of a mind anyway but previous replies have convinced me whilst head is off I might as well replace the valves/guides etc. I have no intention of selling the bike, nor any I own. I keep bikes, never been fast and loose with them - certainly never fast  


 


 

[falcone]

Meant to add  - sorry to hear about the back. Hope it gets better BUT not before I've dispensed with your services

[Alan R]

Hello Falcone & Gwilli -----same here chaps viz early retirement then MAN-FLU for the last 3 weeks hence too much time on the PC. Don't forget to give Watsonians a phone call with your Eng. No. re}--Cyl Head exchange. You might just be lucky and yours hasn't been done. save you a bob or two. That V7 is a real beauty but not within my bike "allowance" alas. Yes, I agree with Gwilli---those are the symptoms of a weak mixture. Was the Mk1 Concentric supplied as "Jetted for a Bullet 500" and part of a kit ?? or one that you've bought yourself ?? It won't take 5 mins to have a look. With the choke operating lever--make sure the friction damper is very firm---don't want it slowly employing as you ride along. That would be a rich mixture and no mistake !!!. Wish I'd kept my 65, wish i'd kept the Cali 1100i, wish I could bike-it around New Zealand. wish 'er indoors would cheer-up a bit !!! Oh well-----back to normallity. 

[falcone]

Hi Alan, I will
contact Watsonians as you say no harm in trying. Love the V7, is just
the right size for me being vertically challenged. The Amal was the
Hitchcocks kit. The Trail being the Watsonian special does has
virtually straight through pipes though. Far as I know the choke
doesn't move but I will have a look at that. Never been down under either,
may well do so at some point as have friends in NZ and Aus'. Funnily
enough just been having my almost daily email exchange with a friend
I've known since first day at infants, who has lived in Aus' for
nearly 20 years now. He has always quite fancied an Enfield but like
all of us the list of what he quite fancies is rather long. I have,
though, had two fantastic 3 week solo bike trips round the West Coast
of the USA. Don't let anyone tell you they only have straight roads.
Remember one road sign in a forest road on the Oregon/California
border 'Curves for 45 miles' and they weren't lying