Amal Premiers

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I have a set of rebuilt Amals and a set of new Premiers both in the box. I'm currently running a single Mikuni VM just to see how I like it. For the easy pace that I ride my 46 year old Norton it works very very well. The rebuilt Amals did the job just fine while the Premiers took it up a notch. I did check the Premiers before installation and they were perfect I do miss the additional personal involvement that the Amals demand. I have toyed with the idea of getting a single inlet air cleaner plate so that I can reinstall the original filter set up with the VM. I also might put the Premiers on in time for this years INOA rally. Or, being mostly lazy, I'll just run it like it is.
 
The ritual of tickling the carbs goes back to my CZ175 as a kid. We also had a Artic Cat mini bike with a Bing tickler. It's a mess to occasionally clean up on my Triumph. On the Norton it bothers me to always drip fuel on the starter. But it works. I have a pair of Wassels coming. it appears my Amals are too worn and leak air. I have had a set of Wassels on my Triumph for six years now with no problems other than rejetting. I think they are as well made as any Amal. I would love to try Dellortos with accelerator pumps.
 
I would love to try Dellortos with accelerator pumps.

I had had the same thought having plenty of Ducati spares. (30 mm 750GT / 32 mm 900 SD / 40 mm Malossi Dellorto's) ... A bit late now after the expense of two sets of Premiers but am still going to bring back a pair of 'PHF 32's on my next trip.

If a Norton SU kit had been available I would have done that first but they seem rare.
 
OK, stupid noob question - WTF is "swarf?"

Here is some from this afternoon.... and not to put a to finer point on it, there is still swarf stuck between the fins on my $3350 FullAuto cylinder head because some lazy git couldn't be bothered removing it and the genius who put it in the box was to lazy to look so Premiers lack of QC is not unusual.
That's why you check things....

Amal Premiers


Amal Premiers
 
I almost bit on that when I first came too. You others must recall we left the colonies early on.
 
I have but one question....I like my Amals & everything they do for & on my 850, also how they look & perform, require tickling, & the quick little sputter as I roll them on quickly. Does this make me ill or deficient in some way?

Yep. Masochism can make one's life difficult.
 
Here is some from this afternoon.... and not to put a to finer point on it, there is still swarf stuck between the fins on my $3350 FullAuto cylinder head because some lazy git couldn't be bothered removing it and the genius who put it in the box was to lazy to look so Premiers lack of QC is not unusual.
That's why you check things....

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View attachment 9176

As the genius mentioned, did you have trouble transferring the swarf from the Anals to my cylinder head?
 
I do miss the additional personal involvement that the Amals demand.
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LOL !!!!
 
Like an old WWI biplane. Don't really know how I'd react without the rituals involved with riding English bikes. It's more like a religion. Hell! I'd have to start taking the key out when parking because anyone could walk up and ride off.
An old pair of Amals should qualify for insurance discount. Sorry, I digress, but have looked over the new offerings from Amal & Wassell both for the day these
fail and need replacing. Wassell is about 150.00 less, but leaning more towards the premiers just because.
 
I'm not sure what there is to continually work on with Amals.
My experience has always been, once correct jets are in place, you set the air screws, synch and set the idle then don't need to touch them for many thousands of miles.
Last time I played with the Amals on the Commando was about ten years ago and about 15 thousand miles ago. It still idles and runs great.
Those are original Amals.
The Premieres are, if anything, even more set and forget. I have about 20,000 miles on a set of those, no visible wear on slides yet.

Glen
 
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Right so I’ve fitted the premiers this afternoon, all is well with no clearance problems between the carbs. However, while fitting them I noticed the throttle wasn’t as smooth as it had been and it turned out that the cable joining piece inside the throttle cable splitter was cracked and causing a bit of friction so a new one is on order from RGM. I also noticed the fuel lines were showing early signs of perishing so I’ve ordered a new set.

More to follow when I fire it up.

Dave
 
Agreed. Folks become afraid because of the tickle & occasional sticky float I guess. Haven't touched mine since rebuilding after decades long hibernation of poor storage. They are indeed lots of work: petcock on, tickle, key on, kick- key off, petcock off. I just don't see how folks put up with the things.

Dellis the splitter drove me insane with my stiff fingers some months back for some reason, as well as the rest of the throttle set up, but it sure felt nice to know all of the hidden stuff was GTG when I was done. You'll be more pleased than a dog with six appendages when those premiers are set.
 
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I put a single Premier on my Mk 3 motor with 260 main, as advised by Surrey Cycles(supplier). Works very well except once where float valve stuck open until following rider told me of dripping liquid and a quick tickle solved it. Oh, and the drain plug disappeared , luckily a mile from home, so next one has jubilee clip added!
 
I tried replacing all parts including the anodized slides in my 13K mile original Amals. Didn't work, but was better, still wouldn't idle. So it was Premiers or sleeve. I chose sleeve but in the end with the rebuild and everything I had the same money in them as a set of Premiers. Up to you. I didn't mind, at least I still had the original carbs on the bike and now it idles and runs fine. I sold the anodized slides.
 
Installed the Wassels today. They looked very good, no swarf. One of the screw adjustors on the carb top was not drilled out-simple fix. See how the bike runs tomorrow.
 
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