New Amals Replace Mikuni - What a difference!

phil yates said:

For all the work and effort, I'd pull the amals straight off and put the Mikuni back on again. I have spent so much time in the past trying to keep amals in sync I never want to go there again. The only time it seems the amals are synchronised is with throttle wide open. I experience no performance loss with the mikuni, except a few mph at top end. I don't care about this. I'm not racing.
It starts, idles nicely and needs no adjustment and no tuning.

Good luck boys, I am afraid I am converted!

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You need to read the original post again, Bonwit is very happy with his new Amal carb and new found performance, it's only the stock air filter that's the pain. And if he wanted too he could get a K&N filter for them that would be pretty much exactly what I bet you have on your Micky.

You guys crack me up. It's like throwing a piece of meat to the piranhas!

Bonwit said:

Holy cow! You guys must never change your air filter. What a royal pain getting that front plate and the carb boots in place!

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DogT said:

And I don't throw tools across the next county or get blood all over the gearbox.

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Hobot said:

ya can tell by R forearm size whose twisting two throttle springs instead of one : )

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Mike996 said:

It helps to put some small cuts on your wrist and forearm before starting.

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Biscuit said:

... and I sure am not going to lean my bike over and shake it to get the last dregs out...

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PeterJoe said:

I like how the picture shows just ONE HAND gently removing the air filter element like nothing could be easier!

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Hobot said:

The manual drawers were either ignorant or laughing their behinds off

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To think that all of this came about just because Bonwit made a comment about how difficult it was to reinstall his original filter. Keep it going!

phil yates said:

For all the work and effort, I'd pull the amals straight off and put the Mikuni back on again. I have spent so much time in the past trying to keep amals in sync I never want to go there again. The only time it seems the amals are synchronised is with throttle wide open. I experience no performance loss with the mikuni, except a few mph at top end. I don't care about this. I'm not racing.
It starts, idles nicely and needs no adjustment and no tuning.

Good luck boys, I am afraid I am converted!

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Welcome Phil.
That is as great as a first post I have seen. Right or wrong, this is who you are. No pulled punched, no hidden agenda. Honest opinions are much better than stuborn attitudes.

Just to add to your stew, I pulled the premiers off cause the didn't give as good performance as the single mikuni I now run. :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
Let's see what sort ill will this produces. These guys are really predictable. :lol: :lol: :lol:

If Bonwit is very happy with his twin Amals he shouldn't be. He is a very naughty boy for taking the Mikuni off in the first place. God gave us Mikunis to replace the shocking Amal set up and Bonwit takes it upon himself to remove it?

Someone said this thread was all about refitting the original air filter. That is not what the thread title implies so I will stick with that.

There is NO performance improvement that I can perceive with twin Amals, except top end that I mentioned. Bonwit may have psyched himself into this belief. I want to know how he keeps them in synch. My conclusion is that you can't, not for very long. Back in the very early 70's we used to use cigarette papers to indicate the first slide movement. It worked brilliantly for all of five minutes riding. Then out they would go again.

I took my Amals off and fitted them to the lawn mower. The mower went like a cut snake but lurched and juddered all around the back yard. The carbs were out of synch…….again!!

Twin Amals are for men, a single Mikuni is for...ah... well you know. :lol:

A Commando definitely ranks high on list of a real man's motorcycle, mostly d/t testing reserves of will power, new skills and resources to point kick starting with poor leverage ratio is rather minor factor compared. We know all the racers go with dual carbs yet a few odd balls got more happy power/acceleration and speed thrills with a single, me being one surprised and confused by this. When I switched Peel from break in Miki to dual Amals I was rather pleased at first with the duals extra low rpm grunt response, till I made it to the hiway and lost like 15 mph top end plus less pull getting there on a Combat. My ole P!! dragster had dual 30 mm Amals and was the wildest pulling thing I've ever ridden or driven and had one kick starts [thank god as so advanced a backfire broke foot or tossed to ground in pain] even after most a year sitting up and idled at 600 like kettle drum beats. I just like the looks of Amals which are plenty good enough for my plain Jane Combat and don't seem to ever get out of synch enough or out of tune to detect. Only upgrade I did after Peel and Trixie used up their bores and slides so would not idle down was put in anodized slides with #3 cutout instead of 3.5 and learned to use a bit of sillycone on screws to keep bowls dropping off now and then. I've done many miles with groups wondering why the slight Amal mis fires going slow till gassing up at pump saw fuel on the ground and bowl hanging by a thread ugh. Only rescue screw on a Commando we could find was stealing one off the cap, which is tricky w/o proper screw driver to reach it.

BTW I have a used but still intact non crushed or decayed distorted factory size k/n filter I'll never use again if anyone interested to cover shipping. I am keeping the k/n thick red filer oil for sprizting various things other than on a Commando. I made a man to man promise to myself to try to only order factory numbered parts for Trixie. Time again to put in another order of parts before I can ride her this spring. I think I made a mature manhood decision to over haul my mower [now I know how] and other stuff first.

Biscuit said:

Twin Amals are for men, a single Mikuni is for...ah... well you know. :lol:

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...for realistic Men who want to wake up in the morning and start their bikes on 1st kick, ride like a bat out of hell all day, arrive home with no issues, put bike away...and repeat....all.year.long.

For me it's just an issue of keeping it stock looking, plus they work fine for me (especially since I've gotten them sleeved). I've never had a problem with balancing and I don't even have a manometer. Maybe I've just never had an air leak?

Dave
69S

Bonwit,
Good to hear that you like the new Amal’s.
Changing the filter is not all that difficult at least on a 72-74 “Spam Can” that is if the rubber is soft and pliable. I am not too sure on earlier Models like DogT's. As mentioned above, Just insure that the rings item #46 (the air cleaner adapter sleeve) that spin on the back of the carburetors are correctly installed.
The flange lip must face the carburetor (towards the front of the bike). I will give you 3/8" more room for the rubber to shift forward.
Regards,
Thomas
CNN

Biscuit said:

Twin Amals are for men, a single Mikuni is for...ah... well you know. :lol:

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How does "Biscuit" figure this?
He must have a little….ah……well you know.

Perhaps he has the original points installed as well!
Real men like tuning carbs and setting timing all day long.
Real clever men like riding with their girlfriend on the back.

hobot said:

We know all the racers go with dual carbs yet a few odd balls got more happy power/acceleration and speed thrills with a single, me being one surprised and confused by this.

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I don’t know if this is about me and I may be wrong but my ears are burning a little. I know you mean no offence and I am not surprised by you and others being surprised and confused, but should I keep my mouth shut about this type of thing? And who in the hell are you to call someone else an "odd Ball".

I have done a butt load of testing on all sorts of carbs to get what I want, which was "all", and have even given the benefit of the doubt to the Premiers mentioning that they are the best Amals yet.

I have never professed that because it works for me that everyone should try it and made sure I mentioned that it is rather proprietary to my machine. What I did do is trust enough to share finding. I grant you, the Rose Colored Glasses effect can come into play when you have gone out on a limb and work hard for success, but it's going on 2 years now since i started this TM40 thing, so it is standing the test of time for my particular needs.

I have also put butt loads of money into the performance and reliability factor and if this wasn’t everything I expected I would be spending more to make it so. That would be stump pulling low end, 70 to 90 with a flip of the wrist in forth mid range and screaming to a ton in third type of top end.

I know that this forum is not just for purist or heroes helping the needy or for sharing sad happenings, but when things work out and someone shares it, isn't it better to just say "good for you" (some do) but to just say "bullshit" and walk away is a bit rude. I suppose I flaunt it once in a while, I guess I am a bit proud of my accomplishment.

The last Commando (it was my third) was build by well known Australian Norton builder Peter Lynch. Pete tragically died just over twelve months ago. The bike was built to Combat specs with later model extras such as Mk III isolastics etc. Included was a Mikuni carb which Pete had recommended. The bike simply flew. But one issue I initially had with the carb was a sticking slide. It drove me mad!! Then I tried adding some upper cylinder lubricant to the fuel and the problem vanished. Never occurred again!

I currently have a Fastback Mk III (okay, we know there never was one) built by Baxters in Iowa. Also fitted with a Mikuni. Same problem was occurring. Same fix was applied and that was the end of it. BTW, anyone who hasn't ridden a Mk III (I never had) get your ass on one and try it. The very very best Norton I have ever owned and ridden. With an up graded starter, I just can't get over the novelty of pressing a button and having that big British twin roar into life. It is fascinating!!

Ugh, Pete-V, I had your reports in mind so was avoiding bringing your name into association with my oddball camp on wonders of a big enough single carb. I think that's similar to what Peel will get w/o the Drouin hunk in the way for stunts on and off pavement. I do remember the disbelief you put up with too.
This Commando stuff splits my scrambled brain on which path to take, traditional or striking out on your own. I'm sane and smart and socialized enough though to rationalize equally well both ways, ugh.

phil yates said:

The last Commando (it was my third) was build by well known Australian Norton builder Peter Lynch. Pete tragically died just over twelve months ago. The bike was built to Combat specs with later model extras such as Mk III isolastics etc. Included was a Mikuni carb which Pete had recommended. The bike simply flew. But one issue I initially had with the carb was a sticking slide. It drove me mad!! Then I tried adding some upper cylinder lubricant to the fuel and the problem vanished. Never occurred again!

I currently have a Fastback Mk III (okay, we know there never was one) built by Baxters in Iowa. Also fitted with a Mikuni. Same problem was occurring. Same fix was applied and that was the end of it. BTW, anyone who hasn't ridden a Mk III (I never had) get your ass on one and try it. The very very best Norton I have ever owned and ridden. With an up graded starter, I just can't get over the novelty of pressing a button and having that big British twin roar into life. It is fascinating!!

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Apparently some men just buy their current Nortons from others who specialize in rebuilding, modernizing/modifying them and go with whatever carburetor option the builder recommends. But does this make them experts on other rider's machines? I think not. Going back over your posts, couldn't help but notice your use of the first person singular use of the word "I". "I'd pull them off", "I've spent so much time trying to keep Amal's in sync", "I experienced no performance loss", "No performance gains that I can perceive". Sounds like it's you who has the tuning issue with twin carbs not the thread starter. Bonwit is pleased with the set- up. Perhaps someone who tunes their carburetors with cigarette papers is better off with only one. I, like you, do like my Electric start though. Starter is stock but cables have been up-graded.

I'm enjoying this thread. I should have brought popcorn.

Apparently some men just buy their current Nortons from others who specialize in rebuilding, modernizing/modifying them and go with whatever carburetor option the builder recommends. But does this make them experts on other rider's machines? I think not. Going back over your posts, couldn't help but notice your use of the first person singular use of the word "I". "I'd pull them off", "I've spent so much time trying to keep Amal's in sync", "I experienced no performance loss", "No performance gains that I can perceive". Sounds like it's you who has the tuning issue with twin carbs not the thread starter. Bonwit is pleased with the set- up. Perhaps someone who tunes their carburetors with cigarette papers is better off with only one. I, like you, do like my Electric start though. Starter is stock but cables have been up-graded.[/quote]

"Biscuit" (what "man" calls himself "Biscuit") was obviously wearing nappies back when it was just one standard practise to balance twin amals using cigarette papers. We were looking to synchronise initial slide lift. At age 17 we could not afford fancy equipment. Biscuit also does not seem to grasp the difference between balancing and tuning carburettors.
He doesn't seem to grasp the use of first person singular either. It is usually used Biscuit, when one describes what one does, has done or thinks. Do you have a better use of the English language?

"I" (for Biscuit's understanding) once fitted an SU carbi to my 750 Fastback. It was not overly successful. It was a real bugger to start when cold and the throttle movement was very heavy. I seem to recall I bought it from Les Emery when I was in England one time, long before the use of Mikuni carbies came into being.

Regarding my use of a Mikuni, Peter recommended it, I had no experience with one, so fitted it. Just so happens it was the best thing I did.

As for your crap about buying from Norton rebuilders etc, did you build your own Norton? I think not.
My first Commando was also built by a specialist, called the Norton factory. I don't like their twin amal fitting, so I have changed it to something better.

Has anyone actually studied the history of the carbs being discussed. Little known fact, the Amal carbs were designed by Mr. Amal Mikuni. He worked closely with his son, Fred, on the design. However, they had a very serious disagreement about the plunger design. Seems Fred had an intense dislike of the smelly finger syndrome that occurred as a result of tickling. The animosity between father and son got so bad that Fred Mikuni left the company, and the country! He ended up bouncing around various places around the world, finally ending up in Japan, where they too objected to smelly fingers. Fred worked long and hard with many of the top Japanese engineers of the day, finally perfecting his dream. Thus, the Mikuni carb was born...

I've more cash than time this year so acquiring a gizmo to pass around that both measures isolastion onset quality as well as time to distance to settle picking on each other on dual vs single advantages. Btw Fred Miunki had some extra marital affairs before fleeing England, so left some bastards that became the Gardner/Lake Injectors and later Lectron and then QuikSilver single carbs, Eddlebrock adopted for a time. The reason Mikuni carbs have straightened out shape to their bowls...

WHAT! Rice Again!

Yes, Hobot, it's true, after Fred escaped from the smelly finger syndrome, he became quite the ladies man...