Hilly, first thing I did with this carby was 2 or 3 hours in an Ultrasonic bath at 50c, using the solution designed to clean brass shells. 

Stuart, yes I have fitted the new points and gapped at a firm .020 but points that I removed were in good condition. At first I suspected a weak spark breaking down under compression, hence new everything except battery in the electrical department. I believe it is fuel related and because a compression test gives such good results I have to first suspect carby or at least the fuel delivery system from the air cleaner to the barrels. The different carby may tell me something. No kill switch, and would expect any intermitant electrical problem to cut the power altogether at some point. This isn't happening, as motor continues to run.

Hi Merv and hi all!, Very nice trike btw and always good to read some good knowledged being shared by everyone!

Yes Uncle, I have replaced new plugs, new leads, new O rings in manifold, new kit in carby, new coil, new condenser, new points, new float needle, added the spring which was missing, plus a good replacement float. It has extra good compression on a compression test. I don't believe I am getting any fuel through the 3 "intermediate power" jets and will pull the carby once again and have another go at proving they are blocked or clear. With ignition problem, only real way I can eliminate something in the area (tho with what I have replaced, I don't know what else could fail) is to hotwire the coil direct to the battery, avoiding the installed wiring system. The wiring on this bike is neater than any I have ever seen, so not confident a problem lies there. If the Mikuni doesn't run better, then I might consider doing that. Would really like to leave the Bendix in place, but keen to have this bike running.

And sooty is right, and it is most likely running rich from the idle jet because as I try different settings trying to get enough power to move from stationary, that's maybe the only place it's sucking fuel from so I have it set rich. If I really open the throttle to full it revs and will pull so I can get it back into the shed, however ease off to maybe quarter or third throttle and it loses it again (main jet no longer active). I am going to have to remove the idle jet tube and somehow keep the butterfly open while poking a finger deep into the venturi to cover the hole where it comes thru the carby top, whilst forcing fuel into the hole at the top of the carby and looking to see if fuel spurts from all 4 jets in the top of the venturi. Still working on how to do that, but sure it can be done.

Well, you couldn't make this stuff up! When I bought the top half of a sus carby to get the float that was hanging beneath it, I received a carby top with no choke butterfly or shaft, no fuel inlet fitting, a different design of idle tube, which has holes in the venturi as well as is pressed in, non removable, and generally had had a hard life. But today I swapped out all the bits from my carby that it was missing, adjusted my old soldered float, added my bowl assy, bolted it on and hit the starter. I have to say that a bit of fiddling with the mixture screw and it idled slower and smoother than the bike ever did since I bought it. So I fitted the air cleaner and wheeled it out down the driveway. My driveway to my shed is a slight slope, and this is where I have been testing it for pull. Started it up and it pulled up the incline without hesitation. Rolled it backwards back to the bottom and it did it again! Talk about excited! Running rich now with the air cleaner fitted, and popping a bit where it wasn't before, but this bike is quite loud so I will leave it until the neighbors have all gone to work tomorrow before fine tuning and testing on the road. Don't want to upset their coffee too much! So, my final deduction was the mid range jets were clogged on my original setup, and perhaps that was the problem. Very appreciative of you guys who kept prodding me to try different things - it's never as hard when you have help, even if it's only moral support. I'll report back after road testing tomorrow. Then again, if it goes good, you'll probably hear me cheering from whatever part of the globe you reside.

That's great news Merv, I didn't want to harp on about it as I've not had much to do with the Bendix carb, that old lump was a saviour after all 😁

Good stuff. Always a great feeling when you work it out. Makes the hours of frustration disappear.

That's wonderful news Merv. Fingers crossed for today's road test.

Wasted most of the day chasing around and buying a cheap little scooter for nipping down to the shops etc. But, been around the block once, and when it gets moving, it really goes. So good progress, but still unable to totally get rid of the backfires in the intermediate throttle range. Nor can I get it to idle as well since fitting the air cleaner assy. Though it looks like a new filter, tomorrow I might remove the filter and simply screw the cover back into place so I don't burn my leg with a pop, and see what happens.Still contemplating the Mikunu when it arrives, as my accelerator pump jet squirts enough fuel to put any fire out. In any case, able to ride it now, so smiling.

Well, you can't make this stuff up. I wasn't happy I was getting the same setting on the rear points opening as I was the front, so thought I would treat it to an electronic points system. After a fair effort removing seat etc. to run the wiring, I was quite pleased with myself. Then I tried to time it and found out the magnet that would trip the sensor for the front cylinder was not there, or ever had been. You can see in the pics that one pocket is filled with black adhesive, and the other pocket totally empty.  You get what you pay for, but the local Harley store wants over $500 for one of these, and they're available on fleabay for $80. Getting no sense from supplier so looks like I need buy another. I did fit a small magnet and glue it in, however firing on the front cylinder is intermittent, so perhaps the different strengths of each magnet causes a problem.
On a positive note, I have received the carby and am quite happy with the result. Just for the ease of access, the change is worth while, but the motor is idling and responding to the throttle so much better. The idle mixture screw is right in suggesting I need a larger pilot jet, so will change it out so the mixture screw achieves its purpose. Just have to get a steady spark on the front cylinder now.
I statically timed it with a test light, then trying to check with the timing light I find the timing light works quite well when on the rear cylinder plug wire, but not on the front. Changing plug wires over, as well as plugs, and as well as switching plug leads behind the coil made no difference, still always the front cylinder. Can't figure that one out and welcome all suggestions as to why. Front cylinder reliable spark is still to be solved.
Really starting to love this bike, and every time I do something I learn a little more about it. Starting to understand why once a Harley, always a Harley.

Wow, $90 delivered is crazy , good win if it works well .

Nice Merv, the old girl looks like a rat with a gold tooth with that carby 😁 

Pensioner brand, Hilly, off the internet. One of those 'false economy' breeds.

Looks good with the Mikuni Merve. Just to check, is it just the timing light not firing properly on the front cylinder lead or is it a perceptible difference in how that cylinder runs? And was it there with the points ignition, or just with the new one?