The carburetors on the Rocket III were a bit rich off idle when i test rode it. Stupid thing was when i ordered them i queried Amal as to whether to get the later 3.5 type cutaways and they replied that for the early model 3's were the required part. A bit of math means taking them from 24° to 25.5°. Absolute pig of a job.

Bathurst carnage on the TV, not sure if that is helping. Lap 12 on slicks and it has just started to rain.

Haven't touched Concentric slides since I sold the rancid slag to a mate in 1990 and bought my Sportster.

30+ years ago I did a pair for a 750 Commando by hand on a surface plate (platten glass off a photocopier, was working as a copier tech). It almost worked. Ended up replacing them with the short lived rubber mounted Concentric Mk 1.5s

As has been the case for millennia, manufacturers of parts don't tell you how to modify or convert a part to another purpose or rectify a situation, the response is always to replace a part as reqd. There is actually good reason for this, the replacement part will perform in the manner deemed by the manufacturer.

Amal carburetors [Burling] were no different, they always recommended replacing a slide, jet or needle and seat, in none of their literature was there a recommendation for modification.

Back in the seventies i don't recall anyone going back to the dealer to get a slide, jet or fuel control, everyone modified the ones fitted some did a good job, some followed myth and legend, this is where Amals became famous for being a shit carburetor.

One of the big mistakes made with Amal slides was that the cutaway was parallel to the original machined cutaway, it wasn't, it was at a different angle, the front of the cutaway was obviously higher with a larger number, the back of the cutaway was not, it was in the same place regardless of the front height. Filing and grinding the cutaways produced a angle that was not in the carburetors design, so did not behave the same.

Same with drilling jets, Just because someone has a lovely number and letter drill set does not mean they are accurate {the drills are accurate, just the holes effect isn't}, if you drill a jet and do a dyno test before and after you will see the effect, that is an expensive test tool but the only one that will verify your wishes.

Speed tests can only verify one jet, even then there are other variables.

The photo is of the slide mounted in a holding jig [that will not distort the slide] mounted in a chuck, what you can't see is the angle plate the chuck is mounted on to get the angles right in the mill.

Boring, isn't it?

New Norton or Triumph spare parts in Brisbane in the late 70's?  That was a recorded message on the phone at Morgan and Wackers "Sorry mate, we don't have one of those."  Getting information about British suppliers in the pre internet days? Buy an English bike magazine and check the classifieds, write a letter, wait a month for a reply. And quality of parts if you managed to buy them? I was still riding the bike into the late 80s, the hand lapped slides worked well enough in the 32mm Amals until they wore out and I replaced the lot with the Mk1.5 Concentrics. After fitting those along with a Boyer Brandson analog electronic ignition the bike would idle beautifully, but only on one cylinder, the pilot air passage on the other carb had not been fully drilled through.

Still, nice to see such good engineering as your doing being done on old iron, and the care and passion for machinery working properly that motivates it.

I seem to be one of the few ex long term owners of Commandos that doesn't regard them blissfully through the rosy glow of nostalgia. I was glad to sell that one to a mate in 1990 after 12+ years of riding it, and buy my 4 speed Evo 1200 Sportster, a much better bike in every way except vibration control. I have a standing offer from my mate to ride that Norton anytime, in 32 years I've done it once, and wanted to get off it after 5km.

I had a 76 900ss Ducati for 8 years, when that thing ran well it was glorious to be on.

Do I miss it, a big no.

There’s one currently for sale on bikepoint for $100,000.

Do I miss it, a big no.

In keeping with this post, what did I do on my bike today? Rode it.

Came across a bit of carnage.

I hope nobody else was involved and only their pride and car were injured.

You must be happy 

Can I ask what mods have been made to you fxdls?

Love reading wat ya done boys. I actually took my Bagger for a ride today not far, but  a little blast. You pricks are an inspiration tanks.