No longer anal about Amals

Desmopower

Desmopower

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Mar 13, 2022
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I have just fitted a set of JS motorsport 33mm Keihin CR smoothbores to the mk3 to replace the Amal premiers and what a revelation they are, the bike idles so well and is super easy to kickstart now. (I have not touched the carbs just bolted them straight onto the bike)
I was in initially reluctant to put Jap carbs on the bike as I like the standard look of the ham can filter but RGM Norton make a slim filter gauze and element that slot right in and look just like the standard ham can set up.
The bike runs so much better and sounds really sharp, So Jim if you are reading this two thumbs up. 👍👍 Super impressed with your carb kit. 😁
 
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Desmopower said:
I have just fitted a set of JS motorsport 33mm Keihin CR smoothbores to the mk3 to replace the Amal premiers and what a revelation they are, the bike idles so well and is super easy to kickstart now. (I have not touched the carbs just bolted them straight onto the bike)
I was in initially reluctant to put Jap carbs on the bike as I like the standard look of the ham can filter but RGM Norton make a slim filter gauze and element that slot right in and look just like the standard ham can set up.
The bike runs so much better and sounds really sharp, So Jim if you are reading this two thumbs up. 👍👍 Super impressed with your carb kit. 😁
Click to expand...
Desmo,
How about a picture
Thanks,
Mike
 
Desmopower said:
I have just fitted a set of JS motorsport 33mm Keihin CR smoothbores to the mk3 to replace the Amal premiers and what a revelation they are, the bike idles so well and is super easy to kickstart now. (I have not touched the carbs just bolted them straight onto the bike)
I was in initially reluctant to put Jap carbs on the bike as I like the standard look of the ham can filter but RGM Norton make a slim filter gauze and element that slot right in and look just like the standard ham can set up.
The bike runs so much better and sounds really sharp, So Jim if you are reading this two thumbs up. 👍👍 Super impressed with your carb kit. 😁
Click to expand...
I'm not sure if my Commando has premiers or not, just the Amals it came with. It kick starts easily and idles like a clock. I never had any problems with Amal carburetors, even the old Monoblocs served me well.
 
A pair of 33mm Keihin CR carburetors is prefect for a 750 or 850 Norton twin.

Amals never served me well for long. I think they must work better on a Commando with the longer manifolds though. My intake manifolds on the Norton model I own were originally only 1/2" in length and the heat from the head was too much for early soft metal 930 concentrics. Slides would stick when they got hot even after being re-sleeved. I never cared much for the o-ring manifold connection either. I wish they would have worked well. If they had worked well, it would have saved me thousands of dollars. :)
 
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Dan1950 said:
I'm not sure if my Commando has premiers or not, just the Amals it came with. It kick starts easily and idles like a clock. I never had any problems with Amal carburetors, even the old Monoblocs served me well.
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Primary difference is Premiers have the removeable pilot jet, stay up floats.
 
I'll never understand that thing of Japanese bits bolted to old Brits.
If modern Japanese carbs work better than Amals, I'm sure it's the same with a modern Japanese engine that'll always be better than an old Norton one, same with brakes, frame, gearbox, forks. Where one stop? Why not buy a Japanese bike in the first place?
 
ericg said:
I'll never understand that thing of Japanese bits bolted to old Brits.
If modern Japanese carbs work better than Amals, I'm sure it's the same with a modern Japanese engine that'll always be better than an old Norton one, same with brakes, frame, gearbox, forks. Where one stop? Why not buy a Japanese bike in the first place?
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Because a perfectly running and idling Norton is a wonderful thing and even though Jap bikes are great - I prefer a well running Norton.
 
ericg said:
I'll never understand that thing of Japanese bits bolted to old Brits.
If modern Japanese carbs work better than Amals, I'm sure it's the same with a modern Japanese engine that'll always be better than an old Norton one, same with brakes, frame, gearbox, forks. Where one stop? Why not buy a Japanese bike in the first place?
Click to expand...
Just for you Eric… 😁😁😁

No longer anal about AmalsNo longer anal about AmalsNo longer anal about Amals
 
Saber said:
What did you not like about the premiers?
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I have had problems with sticking slides, it would not start on the kickstart when cold plus a tendency to foul plugs on a regular basis. Now it idles perfectly and starts first kick from dead cold - happy days!
 
YING said:
Desmo,
How about a picture
Thanks,
Mike
Click to expand...
Sorry don't know how to upload pictures but if you go to post #6 on the link you will find exactly the same set up but with FCR's instead of the CR smoothbores.
www.accessnorton.com

making the commando stock air filter smaller, has anybody?

Wouldn't it be nice if the stock air filter and grill was about an inch less deep and add the same inch onto the gators thus changing the stock air filer or working on the carbs would be so much easier. I realize the K & N set up would eliminate my troubles although I will always prefer the...
www.accessnorton.com www.accessnorton.com
 
Desmopower said:
I have had problems with sticking slides, it would not start on the kickstart when cold plus a tendency to foul plugs on a regular basis. Now it idles perfectly and starts first kick from dead cold - happy days!
Click to expand...
I promise I'm not trying to be an ass.

What you describe with the Premier carbs sounds like self-inflicted wounds such as not synced, bought the wrong carbs such as 300/301 and/or improperly jetted, over-tightened screws, incorrect starting procedures, worn out, etc.

Installing a pair of any type of carbs without syncing them makes it highly unlikely that both cylinders are running correctly or balanced.

That said, if you're happy, that's all that matters!
 
ericg said:
I'll never understand that thing of Japanese bits bolted to old Brits.
If modern Japanese carbs work better than Amals, I'm sure it's the same with a modern Japanese engine that'll always be better than an old Norton one, same with brakes, frame, gearbox, forks. Where one stop? Why not buy a Japanese bike in the first place?
Click to expand...
I really love having everything stock on the Norton but with fitting the CR's and the slim ham can filter it does not look out of place on the bike, with the huge upside of reliability and improved performance.
Walk to the light ericg. 😉
 
Desmopower said:
Sorry don't know how to upload pictures but if you go to post #6 on the link you will find exactly the same set up but with FCR's instead of the CR smoothbores.
www.accessnorton.com

making the commando stock air filter smaller, has anybody?

Wouldn't it be nice if the stock air filter and grill was about an inch less deep and add the same inch onto the gators thus changing the stock air filer or working on the carbs would be so much easier. I realize the K & N set up would eliminate my troubles although I will always prefer the...
www.accessnorton.com www.accessnorton.com
Click to expand...
Easy way to upload images is become a VIP member. However, there are other ways to display images. For example, with a link like this....

No longer anal about Amals


Scary looking FCRs Beautiful aren't they? And they work like fuel injection.
 
marshg246 said:
I promise I'm not trying to be an ass.

What you describe with the Premier carbs sounds like self-inflicted wounds such as not synced, bought the wrong carbs such as 300/301 and/or improperly jetted, over-tightened screws, incorrect starting procedures, worn out, etc.

Installing a pair of any type of carbs without syncing them makes it highly unlikely that both cylinders are running correctly or balanced.

That said, if you're happy, that's all that matters!
Click to expand...
Don Pender carb gantry, correct carbs and in good nick just highly temperamental premiers for whatever reason. 🤔
 
Making Amals work for a while is not difficult. They just aren't a great carburetor unless you sell parts for them and build restorations.

I forgot this bit... "I promise I'm not trying to be an ass."
 
Schwany said:
Making Amals work for a while is not difficult. They just aren't a great carburetor unless you sell parts for them and build restorations.

I forgot this bit... "I promise I'm not trying to be an ass."
Click to expand...
Yes, I am hearing you - new needles, new pilot jets, carbs off and on numerous times. ect,ect. - finally threw the towel in.
 
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