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[potboiler]

I've now got my 2004 Bullet 'Sixty 5' back on the road after a good strip and clean. It started on the first kick after 14 months laid up. Once fully warmed up it rides beautifully. It starts best with the Micarb enrichener lever down and immediately returning it to the up position as soon as it starts, otherwise the motor coughs and splutters because it's too rich. However, it still needs a hand on the throttle to keep a fast tickover or it will stall.If I ride off too soon the first mile or so are a bit lumpy until it fully warms up. It really needs some halfway choke position while it warms up (and while I finish getting togged up). I get around it by adjusting the idle screw to a fast tickover but that is very fiddly because of the battery being in the way. It then needs to be turned back after a few miles, as well.I guess that is the advantage of an Amal carb with a proper choke controlled by cable and lever.I was considering of attaching some sort of flexible pipe/cable affair to the idle screw to make it easier to adjust during the warm up period. Anyone have any tips about these initial warm-up minutes?

[PeteF]

You'll get different opinions on this but....
My opinion is that any engine, once started, should be brought up to working temperature as soon as possible. Therefore, start and ride off immediately. Take it easy for the first couple of miles of course.
If your engine won't have choke when it's cold then perhaps the carb is adjusted too rich?

[papasmurf]

Potboiler, fit our hosts handlebar mounted choke lever kit.

[papasmurf]

Pete F, riding off straight away on an Enfield from cold is NOT a plan as has been mentioned many times on this forum due to it subjecting the oil pump to pressures it just is not designed for.

[Gwilly]

As Papa says, there is a conversion kit but a bit pricey..

Not sure how it works in practice as its not like an Amal air slide.

Like you i wait till it eight strokes and then ease off the lever till i get a steady tickover..

I’m never in a hurry so waiting a minute and listening to the thump is all part of the starting procedure..

I suppose you could try a piece of thick fuel pipe a couple of inches long, pushed over the tick over screw to allow easier adjustment.

[PeteF]

Yes Papa, that's why I said potboiler would get different opinions.
So what difference will a few minutes tickover make to the oil temperature? I would imagine it would be minimal. The oil will not have made anything like a full circuit from tank to tank in that time.

[papasmurf]

On an air cooled engine it does not take long for the oil to warm up. It is the pressure within the pump from cold that is the problem. It can be 100psi if the engine is revved when the pump(s) normally run at around 4psi.

[Thack]

papasmurf writes: "Pete F, riding off straight away on an Enfield from cold is NOT a plan as has been mentioned many times on this forum due to it subjecting the oil pump to pressures it just is not designed for."



How do you know what the pump has been designed for?

[Thack]

By the way, if papasmurf is right and the normal running oil pressure is 4psi, is that actually enough to give the hydraulic lifters what they need?



Maybe that's why the bloody things sound so clickety.

[papasmurf]

Thack Subject: How do you know what the pump has been designed for? ........................................
I read this forum Thack the subject of Enfield oil pumps has been done to death.
Also hydraulic tappets are not fitted to the model of Enfield's under discussion.