Replacement carb for Amals on 850 Commando

rvich said:

Jeandr said:

One of these will do it faster without having to take the cables off.

Jean

Click to expand...

Ok, I'll bite. What is "one of these"?

Russ

Click to expand...

It is a cable lubricator, the cable slips in the thing and you use a can of compressed lubricant like WD40 or chain lube and push the button the pressure forces the lubricant inside the cable all the way to the end, done in less than a minute.



Jean

Concider this!
My 72 750 ran a 36vm with 40 pilot, #3 slide, 159 q2 needle jet, 6DH3 needle and, get this, 330 main. Don't know how or why but that's how it ran like a dream
Ii run a Combat head (fresh), and 1 1/2" pipes which may have breathing like a 850.

I now run a 34TM Flatside and transfered all jetting from the my previously impemented 36mm VM 40 pilot, #3 slide, 159 q2 needle jet, 6DH3 needle and, get this, a 330. I now run a 280 in the TM.
The single TM setup is completely comparable to twin 32mm Amals from top to bottom in performance. The only real differance is the totally reliable and consistance Idle cold or hot. I rarely get nervous at stop signs worring if it is going to stall or cough up on giddy up.

I found the wire used for the brakes on pedal bikes to be much more flexible than stock. It's stainless, with finer strands, and the barrel for the twistgrip is about the right size. It needs to be filed down some but it's brass. The stock cable is much heavier than it needs to be.

Does anyone know if a 34mm TM will fit on a 34mm VM manifold? It seems like the dimensions and the spigot design would be the same, but you never know.

Rocky Point Cycle has the Mikuni conversion for $300, probably the best deal in town:

http://www.rockypointcycle.com/Merchant ... y_Code=N12

RS

RoadScholar said:

Rocky Point Cycle has the Mikuni conversion for $300, probably the best deal in town:

http://www.rockypointcycle.com/Merchant ... y_Code=N12

RS

Click to expand...

You might want to add in your signature that you have a vested interest in Rocky Point Cycle. :mrgreen:

Vested interest?

Is that Bill, NE Cycle?

If so, thank you for taking the time last week to talk me through the wiring solutions on my 850.

You were patient with this novice and helped me a great deal.

I have gotten a lot of parts though the years from Stan at Rocky Point, and I understand he sold to Bill.

Sincerely, best wishes Bill. I will continue to keep your company in mind for my parts business.

Here's what they look like on a Commando head.

I have personally designed the needles and worked out the jetting for Nortons - Including special custom cables and modified carb tops to avoid cable binding and give smooth operation and consistent idling. They are 1st kick starters.



see them at the web page below.

Curious…twin Amals in good working order seem to get about 50 – 55 miles per gallon in normal driving conditions. What would be realistic for a good working single 34mm Mikuni, assuming, of course, similar riding conditions?

I'm in the anything but Amal camp.
I purchased my first Commando in '99. Without really giving the Amals a chance, had a mikuni fitted. This was because of some vague recollection i had of an article in, I think, Cycle magazine titled "The Mikuni Connection". It raved about the improved behavior with the mikuni. It gave me great service. Many thousands of miles, including an Iron Butt 1000 miles in a day run.

Three years ago, I had amals fitted before a 7 state 3000 plus mile ride to the INOA ralley in Torrey Utah. They were amazing... for about 800 miles. I spent the last 2500 miles on about one and a half cylinders.

I've had them looked at, both on and off the bike by really good Norton people for the last 3 years. Finally thought I had the settled before heading for Lumby last month. Again, they were a revelation... for another 2 and a half days and 750 miles or so. after that I spent another 1000 miles of ill running, backfiring, hard starting, plug fouling misery.

I 'm not so skilled that I can do a carb teardown on the road. Even if I could, those kind of adventures are not as much fun as the once were. If I were planning on more long distance rides, I might consider the twin 32 keihins. However, after this last frustration, I'll either stick to a more modern ride or trailer the rascal. I still have the mikuni, and am planning on reinstalling it.

So much seems to be luck. Many riders I'm spoken to have had the Amals for many thousands of miles with no problems. Many others, and maybe many more others, just can't catch a break with the little boogers.

But ya know what? It's still grand to be riding a Norton!