Scary Amal Slide question

So it starts now but I've discovered something about the carbs that I've overlooked due to a non-similarity with the Triumph carb: where as The triumph's Amal doesn't have a choke, there is no choke slide installed on either of the twin Amals on the Norton. No good, thinks I. Does this mean I'm running with the choke full on? The plugs are certainly indicating a rich mixture. If this is the case, it requires immediate remedy.

BC

Yeah, we always plugged the choke slide slot in the carb slide.

I am running mine with the slides removed and a plug in the top where the cable went. This is the common practice to eliminate the air slide.

Hi BC,

As standard Triumph also fitted choke slides. These work the opposite way to what you find on most bikes, that is you pull on the cable to turn off the choke, pulling the cable raises the slides.
You don't really need them so you can remove the slides and plug the holes in the top of the carbs.

All the best

Webby

Worthwhile to carefully check your float settings. That may well be the
source of your rich running.

Stillreel said:

I've discovered something about the carbs that I've overlooked due to a non-similarity with the Triumph carb: where as The triumph's Amal doesn't have a choke, there is no choke slide installed on either of the twin Amals on the Norton.

Click to expand...

I don't understand that? Which one (Triumph or Norton) doesn't have a choke (both would originally)?

Stillreel said:

No good, thinks I. Does this mean I'm running with the choke full on?

Click to expand...

It can't be running choke on if there are no choke slides fitted if they are Concentric Mk1s.

So from what I understand here; if the choke slides were installed, pulling on the choke cables would diminish the airflow in the air fuel mixture, giving a slilghtly richer boost for start up. Yes? If, on the other hand, pulling on the choke cable draws additional fuel in, then its absence would be similar to full on, all the time. No?

Currently there's no slides in the Twin Amals and the cable hole is plugged.

On the Triumph, there is no slide either and the cap on the top of the carb does not have a hole through which the choke cable would be fed. The Triumph runs fine, starts well but the plugs always seem a little sooty for me.

While on the topic of starting, what amperage should I be reading on my 12V battery, not running, 3 years old.

Thanks
BC

Stillreel said:

So from what I understand here; if the choke slides were installed, pulling on the choke cables would diminish the airflow in the air fuel mixture, giving a slilghtly richer boost for start up. Yes? If, on the other hand, pulling on the choke cable draws additional fuel in, then its absence would be similar to full on, all the time. No?

Click to expand...

quite the opposite, the choke slides are down when the cable is slack - thus restricting airflow/ richening the mixture. When you pull the choke cable, you raise the slides, allowing unrestricted airflow through the carb.
So, as you do not have the slides, you are not able to have choke - you are running with the 'choke' off

Stillreel said:

On the Triumph, there is no slide either and the cap on the top of the carb does not have a hole through which the choke cable would be fed.

Click to expand...

Which particular "Triumph" or type of Amal carb do you mean? If the Triumph has an Amal Mk2 then the method of enrichment for starting on that carb is completely different to the Mk1 Concentric.

Stillreel said:

While on the topic of starting, what amperage should I be reading on my 12V battery, not running, 3 years old.

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That would depend on which electrical items are switched on or working at the time?

Ignition off, there shouldn't be any Amp reading.

Thanks all. I should buy a new battery but the current one is still reading 12v across the terminals.

Big day tomorrow. Norton goes in for its second round safety check.

BC