Choke lever location

lazyeye6

lazyeye6

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Converting my new (to me) '74 Interstate with USA bars back to original dual Amal configuration (from single Mikuni). I have all the OEM
parts (new Premiere Amals). What side of the bars would the choke lever have been installed as new? Left or right? This is not a
political question.
 
Depending on year, or maybe dealer set up, it could be left or right. You couldn't rely on the owners manual, the art work was just carried over to the next year. I preferred mine on the left side so I could back off the choke while keeping rpm's up with the throttle.
 
Left if it's a L/H operated choke assembly?

Control Parts :: Handlebar Levers :: Air & Mag :: Magneto or Air/Choke Lever - Left Hand For 7/8" Handlebars - Ball End Type

Magneto or Air/Choke Lever - Left Hand For 7/8" Handlebars - Ball End Type. Left handed chrome plated as used on many British bikes - BSA, AJS, Matchless, Triumph etc. Doherty 100. OEM: 12/171, 12/569, 12/609, 66-8810
www.feked.com www.feked.com

Or, on the right (R/H operated) according to the Owners Manual.
Choke lever location

Control Parts :: Handlebar Levers :: Air & Mag :: Air/Choke or Magneto Lever - Right Hand For 7/8" Handlebars - Ball End

Air/Choke or Magneto Lever - Right Hand For 7/8" Handlebars - Ball End. Chrome plated. BSA, AJS, Matchless, Triumph. RH - Doherty 100. OEM: 12/556, 12/161, 12/608, 66-8896, 60-3567, 60-3991, 60-4521, 60-3246
www.feked.com www.feked.com
 
After looking at brochures from 1971 through 1974, the rule was the lever would be on the right for drum brake models. For disc brake models, the lever is on the left side. Difficult to mount the lever with a master cylinder on the right side.
 
My MK2a has it on the left, bought bike in 80's when it was 8 years old so it could have been replaced/moved but clearance to the master cylinder would be an issue.
 
Deckard said:
Difficult to mount the lever with a master cylinder on the right side.
Click to expand...

I have the choke lever mounted on the right side of my Mk3 because it's a right-hand assembly.
Mounting the lever on the right isn't really a problem but perhaps not as easy to operate using the throttle hand although the choke slides are fitted the lever is only there for show.

The lever might look as if it's up against the master cylinder cap but it's still some distance away.
Choke lever locationChoke lever location
 
MK1 and MK2 handbook including MK1A, a rarely seen item, air lever on left.

Choke lever location
 
MichaelB said:
And then there is this 500mi. Mark 3 with a left handed lever on the right.

cincinnati motorcycles/scooters - by owner - craigslist

cincinnati motorcycles/scooters - by owner - craigslist
cincinnati.craigslist.org
Who initally installs these? Does the dealer do these at set up?
Click to expand...
I actually set up my '71 750 when I received it in Norfolk, VA in a crate. I was in the Navy in the Mediterranean and bought it from a salesman on board my ship from a brochure.
I uncrated it in a parking lot and put the bars and pegs on it. As it had a drum front brake and the owners manual showed right side mount, that's where I installed it. Three years later, I couldn't upgrade to a disc brake soon enough and moved it over to the left side.
As said, I prefer it there to be able to maintain throttle while backing off choke on cold starts. Much easier with two hands. Your left hand's not doing anything then anyway.
 
lazyeye6 said:
Converting my new (to me) '74 Interstate with USA bars back to original dual Amal configuration (from single Mikuni). I have all the OEM
parts (new Premiere Amals). What side of the bars would the choke lever have been installed as new? Left or right? This is not a
political question.
Click to expand...
Slightly political: Unless you're building for concourse level shows, it belongs in the trashcan, not on the bars :)

IMHO, Amal carbs need no chokes, and they cause trouble and confusion. This has been discussed ad infinitum so I hope I don't reopen the can of worms.
 
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