Hi Guys,
This a long post. I'd nearly finished it when the browser flipped me out and I lost it.
I've completed 1000 miles now on my 350 Classic, Sunday was a lovely sunny day about 22C or low 70'sF, so went out for a ride around the lanes and ended up doing 80 miles at speeds of 30-50 depending on the limits and traffic with the odd few seconds creeping up to an indicated 55 with no due stress applied. I closed the throttle every now and then as I'd read somewhere this draws up extrta lube. The whole ride was a gentle one. The speedo needle started waving about after about 90 mins. Maybe the cable/drive had warmed up or needed oiling. Anyone else had that problem?
All went well until about 3 miles from home. I was going up a hill at a steady 40 quite easily when the bike gave symptons of running out of gas. I pulled over to the side and altough I had no power it was ticking over and making a deep droning noise. Then died.
I thought something terrible had happened. Switched to reserve and she started 2nd kick and ran sweetly enough. Drove home very gently. When I got home I took my helmet off and there were no unusual noises except the tappets. They sounded very clattery.
Checked them over tonight and the adjustment was still perfect. While I was at it I checked the points (contact breakers) and the gap was .008" and there was a pip on one half. Took them out, stoned them up and refitted them. Also dropped the needle 1 as she is running a little rich (Amal conversion) and adjusted clutch lift as was experiencing some drag at the lights now she's bedded in a bit.
Started the engine 2nd kick. Running nicely but tappets still very metallic sounding about 1/2 way up the barrel. Any ideas?
Oil about 1/2 way on dip stick and still alovely golden colour. No sign of anything amiss beneath the tappet cover. Guess I'll remove the rocker covers and check but it doesn't sound as if it's coming from there. I'll also check the lube supply as I've got Samrat rockers fitted but with the oil mod as recommended by Hitchock.
Any thoughts or similar experiences welcome.