My Experience with Amal Premiers

I finally got around to purchasing the Amal Premier carburetors.
1973 Mk II Commando, older Boyer ignition, top end good shape.
I had the original carbs sleeved (Lund) several years ago, and they worked pretty well, but idle was never completely stable.
Opened up the Premiers last Saturday morning, all was good inside. No machining swarf, #19 pilots already installed. Only thing I noticed was one carb needle was top groove (fully lean), the other was middle groove. Put both in the middle.
Installed carbs along with replacing air filter boots, which were split. New boots are Andover, nice quality. The old ones were replaced several years ago, bought from Domi Racer. Very thin and poor fitting.
While I had the air cleaner off, I removed all the sound deadening baffles that were spot welded to the front plate. Makes assembly MUCH easier.
Assembled the rest of the bike, tickled both carbs and fired up on the first kick. after fully warm, it felt a bit soft at the first crack of the throttle, turned the air screws in 1/8 turn seems to do the trick. Adjusted idle screws to somewhere around 1100 or so. Idle seems rock solid.
When riding seems to be a bit crisper, throttle response is good. What really amazed me is the ability to release the throttle and pull the clutch in while stopping... Idle drops to 1100, and stays there, like a modern motorcycle. I need to re-train my throttle hand.
Overall very happy, the Commando has never ran better.

Bravo!...My Amal carbs seem immortal, and for all their quirks keep it chugging. I like hearing these good reports on the Premiers & Wassells for I know the day shall come when I'll have to have replacements.

This was my experience too although I replaced worn out Concentrics on a Rapide, havent done the Commando yet.
Here's what the Premieres look like after 20,000 miles. There is no wear that can be felt, just a bit of polish on the carb body. The slides look as new.
The old type Concentrics did not look like this at 20k miles. At that point they were about worn out.
These Premieres are likely good for as many miles as any of us will travel.
There's still the needle jet to replace once in awhile, that's about it.

Glen, does the Vin run air filters?

Yes, K&Ns

Ain't that a great feeling when you can let go of the throttle and it doesn't die. Heaven. I rebuilt my originals and finally had them Lunded and am happy with them, I spent as much as a new set of Premiers in the end, but I have my originals on the bike. But I take my idle down a bit more than 1100. It won't die, but it's still is a bit inconsistent with the idle speed over time. But who's complaining compared to 'used to be'.

gnolan said:

I finally got around to purchasing the Amal Premier carburetors.

Click to expand...

Where did you buy them from? Prices seem to vary considerably between vendors.

Walridge Motors. Mike is very good to deal with. I'll pay a bit more (if it is reasonable) for superb service. No issues with shipping to USA.

Thought I would add my 2 cents. I just bought a set and from what I have read about taking them apart to make sure all is well, I noticed when I took one out of the box that the float bowl on the right carb was cocked. They screwed the bowl with the float pin hinge between the bowl and body. Simple fix. Put the carbs on and now the right carb just floods fuel.
Took both apart and reset the float levels. Now they work.
I paid over $400 for these carbs. Only to have to rebuild them right out of the box. Sad
So beware.

I thought there was a vender section where we could vent our displeasure with the quality of products and services.

Woodland....where do you usually ride the Commando. Are you one of Jerry Kaplan’s riding buddies?

David
Stockton

illf8ed said:

Woodland....where do you usually ride the Commando. Are you one of Jerry Kaplan’s riding buddies?

David
Stockton

Click to expand...

I've met Jerry a few times. We aren't riding buddies. He lives in Davis. I usually ride the river road or I go to Berryessa as I like riding the twisties.
Yesterday I finally got my new Premiers all dialed in. My old carbs were PWK's which would "load up" at speeds above 69 mph on the freeway and make the bike crap out so bad I would have to slow down to about 55 before it would start to clear up.
Yesterday I maintained an average speed of 80 mph for 10 miles and no crap out. I could have made it to the ton if I dared to. At 63 those reckless days are behind me.

I’m leading a Delta Ride with the Norton club on Sept 15. You’re welcome to join. www.nortonclub.com. Lunch at noon at Al the Wop’s in Locke.