Is it possible to start an 850?

It seems more then a few 850 Norton owners have problems getting their beast roar to life!

For more then 2 weeks now I'm trying to get that silly British machine to start. So now and then a "poof" and that is it. Spark plugs spark and after kickstarting they are wet so we have suction of gasoline. I started and drove it twice since I've got it back from the shop. (Head job, 20 tau overbore, new pistons and rings). A friend that also owns a Norton Commando thought he heard that one should get new(or other) kinds of coils if you upgrade to Boyer. Is that true???? (I don't have a Boyer but a "Sparcs" which is a copycat electronic ignition from Boyer). Any suggestion is welcome... I would like to ride now the snow has melted.

Anxious in Calgary.

You need to read some stuff start here: http://www.gabma.us/docs/boyer_install.pdf
Yes it's about Boyer's, same rules apply read the "law" at the top of the page say it out loud to yourself. This one also may apply
http://www.gabma.us/docs/boyer_pop.pdf
There is a lot of good reading here under tech articles.

Received my new starter, ahum, starter assist module, from Colorado Norton works today and installed it. Pushed in big anticipation the starter button and...........................................................................................

Vroom!

only on 1 cylinder though. That's why I couldn't get it to start on the kickstart I guess. I rode it around the block and it suddenly fired on 2 cylinders for about a ½ minute and then went back again to the 1 cylinder mode.

I might be getting older and have not enough "oomph" in my leg anymore. So even if I do not have a "real man's Norton now, I loooove that starter assist module.....
Just have to trouble shoot why the left cylinder is not firing. It might be a faulty sparkplug, or else an intermittent bad contact.
Thanks for the feedback!!!

Sounds like carb trouble, in the low speed jetting/circuit(s).

Soaking the metal parts in Berrymans Chem-Dip (1 gallon can) is an excellent remedy.

that stuff is nasty, so use with proper ventilation and flush with LOTS of water. Don't even DREAM of using this stiff in your home or even inside your shop - use it outside in front of a fan.

Another good remedy for cleaning crud from carbs is to dissassemble then boil the carbs in soapy water. After boiling for a few minutes use compressed air to blow water out of the various passages. The rest of the water dries off the hot metal in a minte or two.
This method works very well to remove the shellac that forms when a bike has been stored for a long time with the old fuel left in.

my carbs were serviced last fall and are spic & span clean. I replaced both spark plugs and problem is resolved.

It was apparently an intermittently bad spark plug (NGK).
Let the riding begin!!!

Thanks for all your input

Concours is all very well. I applaud those who preserve history for the rest of us, and enjoy very much looking at original bikes when I get the chance.

Me, I want a bike that runs and is reliable. Without losing the reasons I bought a Snorter in the first place.

With the replacement of the headlight lens this weekend, I think the last Lucas part on my bike is the taillight. And the first time that flipper flips up, it's OUTA HERE.

520 x-ring chain - WTH not?

I've got six times the money into this bike that I could sell it for. So what? It's not getting sold before my administrator liquidates my estate. At which point, I'll be riding a Black Shadow in .... well, SOMEWHERE.

BTW, the last point made sense to me. Maybe not to those who missed my intervening thoughts... which had to do with replacing Amals with FCRs, among other things.

We now restore you to your regularly scheduled programming, in progress....