Britbike forum Forums British Motorcycle specific Brands Bsa bulletin board New Amal Carb On 69 441 VS

My 69 441 Victor Special has been running very well. Unfortunately, back when it wasn't running that good, I ordered a new AMAL 930/38 carburetor for it. Well, it just came in. I thought about it and finally decided to go ahead and mount it even though I didn't have any current issues with the old carb. The carb is one of the new aluminum Premier Amals. Without any adjustments, the engine started on the first kick and idled perfectly at a very low RPM. I adjusted the idle speed up slightly and turned the air screw in about 1/4 turn, which made it idle even better. Then I took it for what started as a 2 -3 mile ride to test it out. I came back home after it turned into a 92 mile ride. I am absolutely amazed at how nice my 441 now runs. I was happy before the change but now I'm really happy.

i dont believe you.

my 69 wont start unless i sacrifice two goats and a monkey, and even then tries to break my leg.

I believe you.

Many years ago we were preparing a B44VS for a hillclimb event and after struggling with the original carb we fitted a Mikuni that someone had welded on a mounting flange to match the head.

The bike started on first kick and sat there smoothly idling. We were stunned at the transformation,. Unfortunately I had to return the borrowed carb after the event.

Gordo

I'm an advocate of fitting a new carb, not one for messing around with knackerd old ones.. the difference in gain is measurable when fitting a new carb.

Often people will call AMAL crap and buy a Mikuni... But if you had a 50 year old Mikuni... that would be crap too.

Great post! Mine was like that until Beno Rodi worked on it.

im serious about my leg. 165 psi and the ignition was stuck at full advance until i tossed the Boyer and put points back in.

i have a brand new premier on it that i used to replace the worn-out original Concentric. that one was so original it had the removable pilot jet screwed into the bottom of the carb body-- long overdue for retirement. but the premier didnt help the starting any.

i have some 32 mm VM mikunis sitting around as i tend to accumulate them. it never occurred to me that the carb might be an issue. i always thought it was my incompetent starting procedure.

i shall make the change and report back. when it starts, the victor is a lot of fun. it is NOT fun pushing home, as i live on a hill.

Kevin,
The biggest factor I found when starting mine involves the starting procedure, thanks to Beno Rodi.

Cold Starting
1. Tickle the carburetor until you see gas while the bike is vertical and not on side stand
2. Pull compression release and use kick starter to turn the engine over 5 - 6 times
3. Bring the engine up to compression and pull the compression release and then bring the engine slightly past compression
4. Bring kick starter up to top and then kick it over while the bike is vertical. Do not hold the throttle open while kicking over - leave it closed.


Hot Starting
1. Don't tickle the carburetor
2. Steps 3 - 4 as above.

This procedure works very well for me. I'm amazed at how easy mine starts. I used to have a B50 that was fairly easy to start, but the starting procedure for it was completely different from the 441 VS.

well ill give it a try.

i set it aside in a funk and havent touched it in a while

This process usually worked with my 68 with the old worn out carburettor on the original points ignition.

I have just fitted a wassel evo and i am in the process of fitting a VAPE electronic ignition.

I've had similar experiances to Kevin with a Boyer ignition on my Dad's 750 Commando It would kick back quite often, its since been switched to a VAPE ignition and no such problem, hence why i am fitting it to my B44 the kick back was bad enough on a Commando i wouldn't like to experience it on a B44

Good thread. Makes me have another think about rebuilding the original carb or replacing it. I'd like to reduce the number of unknowns when I go to start up my B44 for the first time. Thanks.

I always keep the original carb when I purchase a new replacement in case a future owner wants it. I am still on points ignition with my 1969 BSA B44VS, my 1968 Triumph T120R and my 1975 Norton Commando Mk3. None of these have ever kicked back when starting. However, I previously owned a 1972 BSA B50 and it routinely kicked back. I always started it off to the side instead of straddling it.

Kicking two 11-1 441 cylinders with no compression release requires a closed throttle and a belief that the pedal will move. I built a roller starter for winter. So that gets it running at home and anywhere else it's usually warm, and parking on a hill is reassuring. Sometimes that pedal doesn't want to move. It's important that it idles good because that means if you get it to turn, it starts.

Have you done anything to boost that compression, or is that just with the standard Ed V B44 pistons and Norton crank?

My Thunderbolt isn't an easy bike to turn over with the A10 crank and B44 pistons and a thick head gasket.

Just waiting for someone to bring an electric start conversion for it.... Least one that will work with the BNR clutch and not have to revert back to the triumph 3 spring clutch setup.

Appologies... I digress.

The AMAL will be crap long before the Mikuni...Amals are better quality now and do funtion well on proper application..

Mark Parker. Do you have any plans for the roller starter you built? Gotta picture or two?