Unofficial Royal Enfield Community Forum
Royal Enfield Motorcycles => Vintage Royal Enfield => Topic started by: '45 WD CO on April 22, 2013, 05:28:01 pm
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Thought my WD Enfield was a '45, but have been informed by better sources that the frame and engine numbers declare the bike to be a '43. Lucky me! Anyhow, I'm having a difficult time keeping the carb in a well-running position (air screw, idel, choke). The bike had not run in 13 years, so I completely cleaned the carb, installed new fuel lines and relined the fuel tank, and then she ran very well, although normally always needing a bit of choke. Recently, though, sometimes she gasps for either air or fuel and then dies and is a bair to restart, while at other times she runs just beautifully! Any suggestions? Does the amount of octane in the fuel make a big difference to these old bikes/carbs? Has anyone ever changed the carb from the original pre-monoblock to a concentric? Would that help?
Thanks! Bill
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That might be an ignition problem. I thought I was having carb problems too. Turns out the magneto was bad and started firing on only 1 cylinder. Pull your spark plug and make sure your getting a good solid blue spark before chasing the carb any further.
Scottie
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Interesting!!! It's actually a very poor spark and always has been! I've filed and cleaned the points, but would like to replace them, but can't find a pair yet. Hitchcocks seems to be out for the time being. If it's not the points, though, how do I determine it to be an underachieving magneto?
Thanks, Bill
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Interesting!!! It's actually a very poor spark and always has been! I've filed and cleaned the points, but would like to replace them, but can't find a pair yet. Hitchcocks seems to be out for the time being. If it's not the points, though, how do I determine it to be an underachieving magneto?
Thanks, Bill
I forget exactly how to test it, something to do with wrapping a bare wire around the mag body and grounding out the other end. But what you are experiencing is exactly what the indications for a failing mag. Hard starting, not running after being hot and inconsistent spark.
I personally just ordered a Thorspark electronic ignition kit off of Ebay. It's designed to solve the problem of constantly failing mags. It's very easy to install and has a five year warranty. It has 2 electronic triggers that replace the points plate in the magneto, you don't need to remove the magneto at all to install it.
Scottie
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Problems with points usually lead to the condenser (capacitor) being leaky or just plain bad. I don't know much about the old war department models. so I cant help much with the ignition on them. I do know that Lucas used wax paper in their old condensers and they weren't known to last long especially with high temperatures (the wax melts).