Triumphrat

ViLe · 06-03-2007

Hello everyone! Long time no post... (long time no riding for that matter...).

Got my Triumph from hibernation just a week ago, rode it home for some 25 km. Everything sweet, running like a dream.

It stood idle for a week in the yard, and today was about to go for a ride. To see a band. With the mrs. Everything set, turn on the petrol and the float floods everything through :evil: She didn't react fondly with the "old brit syndrome" of a bike not working, even if it was working just fine the last time... Well, neither did I.

O.k. no riding, and in the evening I took the amal apart, thinking the float needle just might have misplaced itself for some reason. Eyeballing it nothing seems to be wrong, so carefully re-assemble, bolt back on & test. And all the petrol comes gushing out.

Now, what will cause this? And how to remedy it? Is it the float / float needle not seating properly thus allowing more&more petrol to fill the float bowl? Tips & tricks on what to do needed. Bad.

Thanks in advance,

-Ville

SKip · 06-03-2007

-Ville,

Check the float it's self to see if it floats.

Skip

jimballard · 06-03-2007

As Skip said, make sure that the float is not sinking; if it's OK, install a new float needle of the Viton tipped type. The "rubber" tipped ones work wonders on the old Amals. I put one in mine back in '79 and it's still doing the job. Oh, one other thing...if you haven't already done it, make sure that there's no dirt or whatever on the needle or seat; usually this can be "flushed off" by removing the float bowl and turning on the petcock for a couple of seconds, which is a good time to replace the needle.

Just the rambling musings of the village idiot, again: Jim

OzBloke · 06-03-2007

Also, check that the float has no extra plastic "protrusions" from the moulding or joining, and that the gasket is not protruding into the bowl area. These can snag the float, and stop it from closing the needle valve fully.

If you're parking it on sidestand, make sure you turn the fuel tap off before or just as you stop the engine. I've found that occasionally my left bowl floods after I park it on the sidestand. No issue after parking on centrestand.

ViLe · 06-04-2007

Thanks to all of you for the quick replys!

Skip: Wouldn't have even guessed to try that one. Have to try it when I get home from work.

Jim: You seem to have good ramblings :wink: , so I'll look into it. I'm thinking the amal is new, atleast the choke-assembly is more advanced compared to my Beezer's amal. Is the Viton-tipped needle black at the tip? If so, I have it.

As the carb is apart, I'll device a way flowing petrol through.

Oz: I'm still in gratitude for the help with the Boyer... Re-timing & new 6v coils did the trick. Starts first kick and runs even :-D

The engine is a Trophy, so only a single carb to worry about. Allthough I have it on sidestand, it's pretty close to level. Have to also check your points on the gasket & float.

Thanks again, I'll report on the results.

-Ville

jimballard · 06-04-2007

HI, VILE,

YES, THE VITON NEEDLE HAS A BLACK TIP, SO, AT LEAST THAT WORRY IS TAKEN AWAY.

GOOD LUCK: JIM

ViLe · 06-04-2007

Hello again! Thanks for the info Jim. I thought I remembered the p.o. saying the carb was replaced...

For once the check-up took next to no time... I unscrewed the float and lo and behold! The float was full of petrol! No wonder it was flooding the carb

So Skip gets the "correct diagnosis on first post"-prize!

Have to lend my wife's Kawasaki to get a replacement float tomorrow. Unless a 928 concentric float will work as an first aid on a 930? The Beezer could lend a float, if not a hand...

Anyhow, thanks to all for the solid help given in no time! I'll post a pic when I get the Bonnie running again.

-Ville

[ This message was edited by: ViLe on 2007-06-04 12:26 ]

Mecchanica · 06-04-2007

I have had a couple of new floats in new carbs which did this. I would go get a float from an older concentric, never had a problem with ANY of them.

ViLe · 06-05-2007

Hi Mecchanica! I'll take float from the Beezer, allthough I'll go and buy a replacement. It seems to be a "global" problem with new floats splitting & filling with petrol, I've read&discussed of similar experiences on a Bsa board.

I just sent a question to Burlen concerning this, let's wait and see what they answer.

-Ville

ViLe · 06-05-2007

Hello again! Just thought I'd let you know the donor float worked just fine, did a 82 km shakedown, no problems :-D

I did buy a new float, but I'll keep the donor in for now... to see how an 38yrs old float will do

Here's a couple of shaky pics of my Triumph, the light isn't that good at 11pm...

Enjoy riding, I'll report if / when the folks at Burlen reply!

-Ville