Triumphrat

cat · 04-13-2004

i'm having a problem w/ my left amal leaking (BSA Lightning) through the tickler. when i first start it up, there's no leak. i shut it off and then restart it then it leaks and floods out. the tickler is not stuck.

i had the bowl off before and trimmed the new gasket last summer and this seemed to fix it; it was pinching the pivot needle. the leak came back this spring. i have a new float, so it's not that.

any ideas?

cat :???:

[ This message was edited by: cat on 2004-04-13 07:49 ]

jimballard · 04-13-2004

If you haven't already changed the float needle do so, and use a Viton tipped one, and do both carbs. This needle will seat better than the stock ones as they have a rubber-like tip on them. I put one in my '70 several years ago and that was the end of my problems. If the needle seat is corroded, it'll have to be attended to. Also, check and see if the gasket swelled and is up to its old tricks.

Love the old ones: Jim

cat · 04-18-2004

put a new gasket and new float needle== stll leaks.
maybe it's the seat that is coroded. such a small problem but i'm at a loss?

cat :whoops:

Slinky · 04-18-2004

Did you check the float needle valve and it's seat. like Jim suggested?

Even a slight wear ridge on the float needle will cause it to leak.

04-18-2004

Cat, I'm assuming you have the Mk1 Concentrics?
If you are happy with the needle valve & it's seat, having fitted the viton tipped one as Jim suggested, then you may have created a problem by trimming the gasket.
The gasket is supposed to retain the float pivot pin in it's correct position. The float pivots on the pin so the pin should be trapped. It sounds like you have trimmed all the gasket away and the pin can now lift out of the slot. It's ok to trim a bit of the gasket if it may foul the float.
You can fit a new gasket or very lightly centre-punch the slot either side to retain the pin.

cat · 04-19-2004

well, i trimmed the new gasket and it kept leaking. i think you're right about the gasket keeping the pivot needle in place.

i think i wasn't getting the gasket carefully aligned-- after one more try. no leak. put about 50 miles on her and still no leak. it ran very good and started easy.
i'm happy.

it's been a long road getting her back on the road: new brakes frnt and rr, new allen head case screws, new levers, new petcocks, carb kits, air filters, rear brake plate, points & plugs, rubbers, tank bolt fab, front tire ... and some other stuff i can't recall.

now i need to figure out the front wheel shimmy? front fork bearings? also need new gauges$$$

thanks for the help. there'll be more q's...

cat