Starting

Hi everyone. First time on the board and new owner of a Commando 850. I have a t140v Bonneville and have rebuilt it many times. The previous owner passed away and I bought it from his wife. She told me he owned it for 10 yrs. and was a mechanic that worked in a hot rod shop. The bike is in outstanding condition. The carburetors are amal 932. My Bonneville has air slide cables for starting BUT the Norton does not. Just the throttle cable. The manual shows an air slide cable. What is the cold start procedure ? Ride Safe.

Thank you
MikeyG

Welcome MikeyG

MIKEYG said:

My Bonneville has air slide cables for starting BUT the Norton does not. Just the throttle cable. The manual shows an air slide cable. What is the cold start procedure ?

Click to expand...

Many owners find that using the choke slides isn't necessary for starting (and not just Amals on Commandos) so they remove them.
Flooding the carbs with the ticklers is usually all that is necessary before starting up.

Yep, charge the battery, check the oils, tickle em up and we'll see ya back for the rest of the issues.

If you live somewhere (like I do) where using the choke helps, then you are going to need to replace the slides, choke cables and probably the "air valve" lever that is typically mounted on the handlebar. I have some 932s sitting in a box on the work bench, let me know if you need photos of the pieces.

Russ

In a crowded room, how do you pick out the guy who owns the Norton out in the parking lot?

He's the one with the stink finger ! :lol:

Tickle those Amals real good and off you go ... zoom zoom :mrgreen:


Tim_S

In a crowded room, how do you pick out the guy who owns the Norton out in the parking lot?

He's the one with the stink finger ! :lol:

It used to be that you could always tell a Norton rider by the oil stain on the right pant leg of the blue jeans. That tach drive oil seal fix is wonderful!

Paul
Fullerton, SocAl

Thanks to all.

Actually, I always tell a Norton rider by the line of oil spots running up the back left side of his shirt. :mrgreen:

On starting cold (and notwithstanding all the '...we don' need no stinking chokes..." banter), here is the 1-kick Winter starting routine used on a `71 w/ Amals once a week here in 25 dgrF weather to keep oil out of the crankcase:

- Choke Full ON
- Both carbs tickled to 3X overflow
- Throttle BARELY** open
- Kick


** "Barely" open is the key. Otherwise you just suck air, not gas.

The Norton owners the one with not only the leather gloves stinking of fuel, but the palms of the gloves are shriveled from constantly reaching down & doing up the hot exhaust nuts that have worked loose again (thats just before they strip :twisted: )
Terry