No longer anal about Amals

baz said:
Don't forget the VM mikuni was designed by Amal
The British bike manufacturers at the time wouldn't pay amals development costs but mikuni would
So they bought the design
Click to expand...
The ISO9000 definition of quality is probably 'fit for purpose' and most things probably are. But there is another component which does not usually get mentioned - it is 'obvious attention to detail'. The Japanese have a different mentality to many. For them, it never seems to be a problem to create a whole new design rather than persevere with updating old ones. I love British motorcycles - bits from one make often fit others, and they are easy to play with. With a Japanese motor we seem to come to a dead end much more quickly. If push comes to shove, it is possible to manufacture a Commando motor in it's entirety. If I wanted to road race in a modern class and win races, I would always go Japanese. But my bike is much more fun. When I end up with a bike which is radically faster than others in it's class, I sell it. My T250 Suzuki won 28 races and 4 championships in the hands of the kid who bought it. It was faster than my Seeley 850. Blowing everyone else to the weeds does not mean much - the fun is in the dog-fight.
 
The only 'modern' bike I have ridden was a VFR400 Honda - it was excellent. I was riding it to it's speed limitter 180 KPH, and it was absolutely no effort.
 
How long ago was that Al, I love my 1200 Thruxton, with the lighten crank it spins up real quick and 6 speed gear box 180 I be still in 4th gear, it feels light and handles pretty good and so smooth, its taken over all my riding duties and long distant traveling, the Norton is now my play bike, love both bikes, but my travel have been curtailed as the wife has had 2 major OPs on her eyes and one more to come so since February I been on carers duties but right to get out on the bike now till her next OP, might be a few months away (she is a broken down woman and needs a major rebuild lol).
But I did get a few short rides in while she was recovering so next big ride be on the Norton but the rain has hit us at the moment so hopefully this weekend fingers crossed.
I have the Amals dialed in now but might put some fresh fuel in the tank and use the old fuel in the mower, lucky it only has less than 4 ltr in the tank.

Ashley
 
I'm thinking the VFR400 was maybe late 1980's into the 1990's. PITA to import into the USA or I would have had one for a while. I bought a 1990 FZR400 instead and rotated it into my rides for maybe a year. I put Keihin flat slides on it and a Yoshimira slip on. I kept the X-Up, but modified it a little. It was screaming banshee with that Yosh slip-on, but not enough beans for me where I liked to ride at the time. The suspension was not that great, but adequate. Brakes worked great. Light weight. I can honestly say I probably should have left that bike stock. It was stealthy and ran good enough right off the showroom floor. I still would not have kept it, but it would not have been as annoyingly loud when I was riding it. Wife said she could hear me coming back from a ride when I was 1.5 miles out.

I'm aware that is not on topic or relevant.
 
Schwany said:
I'm thinking the VFR400 was maybe late 1980's into the 1990's. PITA to import into the USA or I would have had one for a while. I bought a 1990 FZR400 instead and rotated it into my rides for maybe a year. I put Keihin flat slides on it and a Yoshimira slip on. I kept the X-Up, but modified it a little. It was screaming banshee with that Yosh slip-on, but not enough beans for me where I liked to ride at the time. The suspension was not that great, but adequate. Brakes worked great. Light weight. I can honestly say I probably should have left that bike stock. It was stealthy and ran good enough right off the showroom floor. I still would not have kept it, but it would not have been as annoyingly loud when I was riding it. Wife said she could hear me coming back from a ride when I was 1.5 miles out.

I'm aware that is not on topic or relevant.
Click to expand...
Snap
I had an fzr 400
Actually had two ,one was stock one modified
Both had working exup valves exhaust valves
Amazing little bikes once you get above 14000rpm
 
ericg said:
Thank you. They look like Mickey Rourke. 😁😁😁
Click to expand...
I don't see the connection.
Mickey Rourke is a guy who used to be young and tough. Now he's just old and feeble but he wears clothing that suits a much younger person with actual muscle mass. ....OK, I get it
No longer anal about Amals
 
Back when I was using Amals they needed constant fiddling. I finally soldered small tabs to the air mix and idle speed screws so I could adjust them while waiting at stop lights (see the brass and small washer tabs in the photo). Seemed like they changed every other day. Very annoying. After resleeving, new slides, needles and needle jets etc I gave up and switched to another brand of carb. Problem solved.

No longer anal about Amals
 
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jseng1 said:
Back when I was using Amals they needed constant fiddling. I finally soldered small tabs to the air mix and idle speed screws so I could adjust them while waiting at stop lights (see the brass and small washer tabs in the photo). Seemed like they changed every other day. Very annoying. After resleeving, new slides, needles and needle jets etc I gave up and switched to another brand of carb. Problem solved.

No longer anal about Amals
Click to expand...
Don't know how long ago that was, but they've had available extended air and throttle screws for a long time, so tools aren't needed.
 
jseng1 said:
Back when I was using Amals they needed constant fiddling. I finally soldered small tabs to the air mix and idle speed screws so I could adjust them while waiting at stop lights (see the brass and small washer tabs in the photo). Seemed like they changed every other day. Very annoying. After resleeving, new slides, needles and needle jets etc I gave up and switched to another brand of carb. Problem solved.

No longer anal about Amals
Click to expand...
I never fiddle with the Amals carbs and the bike runs great. I haven't changed the air screw or idle screw setting in about two decades.
When I tried all of the different exhausts I just played with mainjets as I didn't want to mess with the air and idle since these were very temporary exhaust systems. For the most part it was fine with every exhaust type.
When done I put the 260s back in and it worked as always.


Glen
 
If you want a nice consistent idle cold or hot with Amals it's best to keep the chokes, as nature intended.
That way the bike can be set up to idle perfectly when hot, but will be too lean without the choke when cold or when warming up.
Use of the choke thru that period gives a steady idle and smooth takeoff.

Glen
 
My carb related sickness is I like SU's.

IMHO, you cannot get a better carb for a bike. I've been running an Eliminator since 1979 on my 73 ironhead. The only real problem I had was running rich because of a failed O ring on end of enrichener shaft.
 
trappnman said:
My carb related sickness is I like SU's.

IMHO, you cannot get a better carb for a bike. I've been running an Eliminator since 1979 on my 73 ironhead. The only real problem I had was running rich because of a failed O ring on end of enrichener shaft.
Click to expand...
Had one on a 80/80" Shovelhead. No issues ever. But then again, that was before E-10 fuel...
 
While on the Carb subject , has anyone got a dellorto phf36 or a phm38 with the clamp , forsale in good condition ? Cheers​
 
trappnman said:
My carb related sickness is I like SU's.

IMHO, you cannot get a better carb for a bike. I've been running an Eliminator since 1979 on my 73 ironhead. The only real problem I had was running rich because of a failed O ring on end of enrichener shaft.
Click to expand...
I suffer the same affliction. They are superb instruments. The O ring failure is also the only issue I’ve had. I think the later carbs had two on the shaft.
 
YING said:
Desmo,
How about a picture
Thanks,
Mike
Click to expand...
Mike - here's' the photo you wanted. As far as looks go - compare this to any other modern carb replacement. The yellow fuel lines will be replaced with stock type clear lines but they will harden over time (Yellow Tygon line doesn't harden). Note the RGM slim ham can filter.

No longer anal about Amals

Mike
 
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jseng1 said:
Mike - here's' the photo you wanted. As far as looks go - compare this to any other modern carb replacement. The yellow fuel lines will be replaced with stock type clear lines but they will harden over time (Yellow Tygon line doesn't harden). Note the RGM slim ham can filter.

No longer anal about Amals

Mike
Click to expand...
The bike is running superbly on the Keihin's and I don't think they look out of place instead of the stock Amals. Super happy with the carbs. 👍👍
 
Last edited:
jseng1 said:
Mike - here's' the photo you wanted. As far as looks go - compare this to any other modern carb replacement. The yellow fuel lines will be replaced with stock type clear lines but they will harden over time (Yellow Tygon line doesn't harden). Note the RGM slim ham can filter.

No longer anal about Amals

Mike
Click to expand...
Jim,
Thank you for the picture.Much appreciated and looks like a very nice installation.
Mike
 
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