Thinking of going back to Amal

I've only had the Mikuni carb on my '74 Commando, as that's the way I bought it. The PO gave me the old spam can filter parts, so I think I have what I need to go back to original. I love the way my Norton runs with the Mikuni setup, but frankly I've never been crazy with the look. Having that big hole where the filter should be just doesn't look right to me. Besides, I really enjoy the idea of having a totally stock machine. So I got to thinking about going back to Amal. I see that Rocky Point Cycle sells brand new Amals, with all the improvements they've made, but I'm wondering what I can expect if I make the switch? Will the bike perform better? Will it start as easily as it does with the Mikuni? Will I have any regrets? I don't mind the balance issue, as I'm used to dealing with that. If anyone has run a "modern" set of Amals, I'd be interested in hearing your experience. Also, I hope to be able to sell my Mikuni set up to help pay for the Amals. Any idea what I might expect to get for it?

Thanks!

Bonwit said:

I've only had the Mikuni carb on my '74 Commando, as that's the way I bought it. The PO gave me the old spam can filter parts, so I think I have what I need to go back to original. I love the way my Norton runs with the Mikuni setup, but frankly I've never been crazy with the look. Having that big hole where the filter should be just doesn't look right to me. Besides, I really enjoy the idea of having a totally stock machine. So I got to thinking about going back to Amal. I see that Rocky Point Cycle sells brand new Amals, with all the improvements they've made, but I'm wondering what I can expect if I make the switch? Will the bike perform better? Will it start as easily as it does with the Mikuni? Will I have any regrets? I don't mind the balance issue, as I'm used to dealing with that. If anyone has run a "modern" set of Amals, I'd be interested in hearing your experience. Also, I hope to be able to sell my Mikuni set up to help pay for the Amals. Any idea what I might expect to get for it?

Thanks!

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I never had any trouble with them.

You can buy the front cover for the spam can with just a single hole these days - did I see that Andover have them ?
So you could keep the MIk, AND fit the air cleaner for that original look. ?

Be way less expensive than swapping out a good working setup...

Yeah one the first things I glance at is to see if there are two round shapes hanging down. The only down side of dual Amals is there are two springs to pull against otherwise they provide everything one could want, first step on steps, steady idle and eager response. They can run low on filling if holding WOT a long time but a slot cut in float feed fixes that. Check all Amals new out the box for flange flatness and bore true-ness or may blame yourself for the mythical over tightening to distort them installing. A few of us have to keep the faith pure to the Good Book's part numbers and gasoline finger odor. Usually on first starts only have to tickle one carb and no need to over flow as pilot mix chamber is filled before it drools. After 1st start should just step on it w/o any throttle then blip a bit to really catch fire good. If not joy 1st step on then crack throttle a bit. If no joy then check key and fuel taps or coil wires etc before wasting more energy. Amal tuning is based on fuel level that gives pretty close best idle with pilot air screws 1.5 turns out, but my Amals are so so forgiving Trixie's float level is .75 and .9 turns out yet so fine no incentive to tune finer.

Bonwit
You have some of the basic stuff with getting the carbs back to stock. You will need to get the two into one cable system for throttle and choke/air valve components. Then choose the Premier Amals as they have all the bits that solve the early Commando/Amal problems of slide wear. Get new rubber gaiters for the Spam Can filter parts as you call them.
You should get better top end pull with the twin set up.
“Will the bike perform better” Yes if the carbs are synchronized.
“Will it start easily?” Yes! Tickle her till she squirts and give her a kick in the pants. She will purr like a Kitten. Meeeooowww!
“Will I have any regrets?” No. None that I can see if you want her stock.
I have very little experience with the new Premiers as I chose to get all my original Amals re-sleeved. A buddy of mine got them for his engine/bike build on my recommendation and I looked them over and liked what I saw. If it weren’t for a local Nortoneer by the name of Bruce Chessel, then I would have invested in the Premier Amals.
Cheers,
Thomas
CNN

hobot said:

Yeah one the first things I glance at is to see if there are two round shapes hanging down.
And.... "finger odor."

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LOL! Oh man, my side is hurting for laughing so much! This is just wrong on so many levels..... the visuals are flooding my mind... <get out of my head! get out of my head!> LOL! We're truly talking about a "man's machine" here.. :lol: I'd better just leave it at that.

I have both the dual Amal setup (re-sleeved originals) and the dual 34mm Mikuni setup. Just my preference, but I've run the two setups back-to-back and I like the dual Miks better because there's a noticeable top end power improvement over the Amals. That's at 4700-ft. to 6,000-ft. elevation in CO. That's just my opinion, and YMMV. I have the UNI universal foam filters on the Miks and they seem to work great.

hobot said:

Yeah one the first things I glance at is to see if there are two round shapes hanging down. The only down side of dual Amals is there are two springs to pull against otherwise they provide everything one could want,

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Yes this is a downside if you suffer from Carpal tunnel syndrome.
If you don't then you can crank twin Amals.

"A few of us have to keep the faith pure to the Good Book's part numbers and gasoline finger odor." That can be cured with extended ticklers...only if you want. :mrgreen:
Cheers,
Thomas
CNN

Don't burn your bridges.(sell your Mikuni)
The new premiers may be an improvement but make no mistake about it, they are still Amals.
It's an admirable yet ambicious move. If all you have had was the Mikuni, you may be spoied.

Thanks for the replies everyone. Yes, I looked into the single back plate to restore the stock filter, but I really want the full effect. Guess I need to get into the book to see how to put all these bits back together. I hope no brackets were filed off in the conversion!

Glad to tickle your fancies. There's another level to consider, unless going about all out away from all that's Norton, a scabbed on Miki carb or two implies giving up on the real deal, since just sticking on better flowing carbs don't necessarily pay back well until other things are made less Norton. Still as everyone is always risking life and limb to actually ride, its just a matter of taste on how to spend.

Noticed Hobot's comment about the flanges on new Amals. Don't you guys use rubber mounts with your carbs ? If not, how do you stop them from frothing and flooding ? I use Mk2 Amals and they are great, however I do run methanol and use Mikuni needles which makes it all easier.

Bonwit said:

Thanks for the replies everyone. Yes, I looked into the single back plate to restore the stock filter, but I really want the full effect.

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Care to share where you found the "ham can" front plate that has a single hole? I never knew that such an item was available.

OldBalz said:

Bonwit said:

Thanks for the replies everyone. Yes, I looked into the single back plate to restore the stock filter, but I really want the full effect.

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Care to share where you found the "ham can" front plate that has a single hole? I never knew that such an item was available.

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Try here: http://www.rgmnorton.co.uk/buy/commando ... b_1668.htm
Norvil webs site has them too I believe.

Bonwit said:

I've only had the Mikuni carb on my '74 Commando, as that's the way I bought it. The PO gave me the old spam can filter parts, so I think I have what I need to go back to original. I love the way my Norton runs with the Mikuni setup, but frankly I've never been crazy with the look. Having that big hole where the filter should be just doesn't look right to me. Besides, I really enjoy the idea of having a totally stock machine. So I got to thinking about going back to Amal. I see that Rocky Point Cycle sells brand new Amals, with all the improvements they've made, but I'm wondering what I can expect if I make the switch? Will the bike perform better? Will it start as easily as it does with the Mikuni? Will I have any regrets? I don't mind the balance issue, as I'm used to dealing with that. If anyone has run a "modern" set of Amals, I'd be interested in hearing your experience. Also, I hope to be able to sell my Mikuni set up to help pay for the Amals. Any idea what I might expect to get for it?

Thanks!

Click to expand...

I'd say 'go for it'!

Lots of folk on here rave about the new Premiers. A friend of of mine has put a pair on his Triton and he raves about them too! His bike starts a treat and ticks over like a watch and it is quite highly tuned.

My guess is that you'll be over the moon. And even if you're not, you can easily re-sell them onto someone else.

Can't really see what you've got to lose by giving them a try!

BTW, if you do try them, please do keep us all posted.

New Amals? Heck, I love my OLD (resleeved) amals. As noted, they work great, bike will idle smoothly at 500 RPM though I set it for 900. My twin amal bike will walk off and leave my friend's single (34) mikuni Commando above 4000rpm (to that point there is no difference). Put the Amals with the stock filter and you'll be a happy guy! OK, maybe not totally happy when you change that filter the first time, it CAN be a bit annoying but a fair bit of cursing will get you through it.

New Amals? Heck, I love my OLD (resleeved) amals. As noted, they work great, bike will idle smoothly at 500 RPM though I set it for 900. My twin amal bike will walk off and leave my friend's single (34) mikuni Commando above 4000rpm (to that point there is no difference). Put the Amals with the stock filter and you'll be a happy guy! OK, maybe not totally happy when you change that filter the first time, it CAN be a bit annoying but a fair bit of cursing will get you through it.

My earlier post may have been misleading.
When I tried the Premiers, they were very very good and I would surely recommend them. They tuned well and stayed that way. I have no complaints with these carbs.

Just be careful what you wish for.

This pic makes me think of Amals for some reason...

On my mk2a i had a single mikuni and it was great. I lost top end a bit. Now on my mk3 i have 2 premiers and am very happy. I used to run 2 mk2's and they were good. The premiers were jetted and worked out of the box. I have a k&n filter and stock exhausts. I will stay with premiers for now...

One advantage to returning back to twin carburetors is that you don't have to worry about the allen headed screws inside the intake manifold working loose then taking a walk to the inside of the engine and really screwing things up.

When going back to Amal carburetors make sure you get the correct intake manifolds for your engines as well. And one more thing, I would be inclined to use a standard twist grip throttle over the quick twist grip throttle because this would make lifting both carburetor slides a little bit easier.