Carby gasket Bendix carby

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  • Merv
    Merv
    28 days ago
    Quoting obisteve on 05 Nov 2025 12:47 AM

    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?

    My points gap has a slight difference between front and rear cam lobes, I just split the +/- difference between them. There's no detectable seat of the pants difference, points are pretty forgiving bits of gear.

    I think the front cylinder spark has always been suspect, however I can't narrow it down. It seems to be something supernatural, because swapping rear plug, lead, and even coil output port doesn't seem to change the fact it is the front cylinder. Rear cylinder always seems to tick all the boxes. But I am just going to concentrate on the carburation first. Was sluggish in mid range so raised the needle to fix that. Now good. Idle mixture seems good but screw is right in, so will fit next size up idle pilot jet. Then refit air cleaner and retune. I don't think my static timing will be far off the mark as it idles very slowly, and still crisp throttle response, so I'll run with that for a while. Taking my time now and in no hurry. Less stress and more relaxed. But still only testing in shed. After jet change, will do another road test, the first with this carby.
  • Merv
    Merv
    28 days ago
    Just posting for general info. There is a 2 stroke version and a 4 stroke version of the Mikuni 38-9, with very little difference between them. I have learned today that the only difference in the body is the 2 stroke idle adjustment needle adjusts air delivery, whereas the 4 stroke adjusts fuel. Apart from this, the differences are all jet, needle and slide differences. The drilling for the idle air adjustment is slightly larger than that of the 4 stroke fuel orifice, hence the need for a slightly larger pilot jet if using on a 4 stroke. The Carby I have was supplied with the correct main jet, needle, and slide, but wrong needle tube, so I have the right needle tube plus the next 2 larger size pilot jets coming from Mikunioz in Townsville. Might as well do it right. The needle tube should allow me to return the needle clip to the center position, and a larger pilot jet will restore some adjustment back into the length of the needle for fine tuning. And the supplier has agreed to replace the faulty rotor for one with both magnets, although it will take a couple weeks to arrive. So, good, if slow progress. In the meantime, I'll go back to the Suzuki Hustler, as well as fix a flat on the 23 Model T Ford.
  • Merv
    Merv
    28 days ago
    And just to upset me, after all the swapping of leads etc, I have just discovered one of the new NGK plugs is faulty. Another set tomorrow.
  • Hilly
    Hilly
    27 days ago
    On ya Merv, all good info and news, well mostly, it's all gunna come together soon mate, be miles of smiles.
  • Stuart
    Stuart
    27 days ago
    Quoting Hilly on 04 Nov 2025 10:00 AM

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

    Can't help with the ignition magnet pick up thingy, I've not seen that set up before, what breed is it?

    Quoting Merv on 05 Nov 2025 12:05 AM

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

    I'm half interested in this, Merv. Got a link to it?
  • Merv
    Merv
    27 days ago
    Here's one for single fire coil.
    And one for dual fire.
    It seems to work ok, even with the magnet I installed myself. Looking forward to getting the right one tho. The single fire has the single magnet with two sensors, and the dual fire coil has the two magnets for the one sensor. They just mixed mine up a bit.
  • Merv
    Merv
    25 days ago
    Quoting Merv on 05 Nov 2025 01:01 PM

    Here's one for single fire coil.
    And one for dual fire.
    It seems to work ok, even with the magnet I installed myself. Looking forward to getting the right one tho. The single fire has the single magnet with two sensors, and the dual fire coil has the two magnets for the one sensor. They just mixed mine up a bit.

    If you decide to get one of these, the black wire goes to the +ve on the coil along with the wire from your switch, and the yellow wire goes to the negative post of the coil, replacing the old points wire. This is dual fire. Single fire would be similar, except two negative posts.
    Carby bits arrived and fitted and now not a single backfire at idle or throttle blip. Off to get a clear plastic timing plug this morning to check the accuracy of my static timing. Timing light has decided to work after new spark plug fitted. Very happy with the Mikuni.
  • Stuart
    Stuart
    25 days ago
    I'll be interested to hear how you get on with using the clear timing plug.
  • 408
    408
    25 days ago
    The clear timing plug is pretty tricky.
    I tried without it and ended up with my eyelashes stuck together.
    Better with clean oil and get some pink nail polish off the Missus and put a dab on the timing mark on the flywheel.
  • Hilly
    Hilly
    25 days ago
    Quoting 408 on 08 Nov 2025 07:05 AM

    The clear timing plug is pretty tricky.
    I tried without it and ended up with my eyelashes stuck together.
    Better with clean oil and get some pink nail polish off the Missus and put a dab on the timing mark on the flywheel.

    I'd have paid money to see that lol.
    Can you wind them in till they nearly touch or do they not go in that far?
  • Merv
    Merv
    24 days ago
    Quoting 408 on 08 Nov 2025 07:05 AM

    The clear timing plug is pretty tricky.
    I tried without it and ended up with my eyelashes stuck together.
    Better with clean oil and get some pink nail polish off the Missus and put a dab on the timing mark on the flywheel.

    Quoting Hilly on 08 Nov 2025 08:17 AM

    I'd have paid money to see that lol.

    Can you wind them in till they nearly touch or do they not go in that far?

    I read that you screw it in til it touches the crank, then turn it out 1/4 turn. Shouldn't be too bad at that range as it is clear as glass when looking through it. I will take 408's advice tho it'll have to be a dob of paint as couple decades since anyone in my household was young enough to worry about nail polish. In the middle of preparation for a medical procedure so probably will not worry about it til middle of next week. Something to look forward to, and I'll let you know the result. really loving this Ironhead. Neighbor across the street starting to complain about the noise tho, so might have to try and work out how to mount a silencer on it.
  • obisteve
    obisteve
    24 days ago
    I've never been able to use one successfully, too much oil splash, which was a big disappointment after using a timing light for years on Nortons, where the inspection hole is in the primary case. And yes, I've put some white paint on the advanced timing mark.
  • Stuart
    Stuart
    24 days ago
    Never really worked for me. On the rare occasions that I need to set/check the timing, I get the timing mark lined up, remove the primary inspection cover and mark the rotor in the primary. Then use the timing light against that. Primary needs to be drained or you'll have a bigger mess than the timing hole makes. And put the timing plug back. This is on big twins - I don't know much about Sportys, is this possible on one?
  • 408
    408
    24 days ago
    I put a Crane single fire coil and Hi4 ignition in my evo many years ago. Read up on the timing process and went to the local indy shop and asked for the clear timing plug.
    The shop owner gave me a grin and said you don't want one of those. I said yes I do, and he had a bit of a chuckle and sold me one.
    I tried winding it in to touch the flywheel and backing it out. I varied the backing it out but you can't see the bloody timing mark.
    I thought I would try with the plug out and try to look past the timing light into the hole. Thin film of oil covers my face.
    Went and did a bit more research and found a mention of the paint trick. Clean the oil off the flywheel at the advance mark through the hole and get a dab of paint on it. I tried white and bright pink. I got it pretty close but difficult to get a satisfying result.
  • Merv
    Merv
    24 days ago
    I reckon I have it fairly close anyway. Used a test light and it lit just as I turned the motor to the "Dot", which is the idle mark. I then set it onto the "Line", the advanced mark, and when I manually turned the cam as far as I could to simulate advanced timing, the lamp lit again. So I'm not particularly concerned about it. But I'll give it a go.Reading the comments tho I am less confident in the clear plug.
  • obisteve
    obisteve
    23 days ago
    I've got 2 of the bloody things. I was planning ahead, back in the days when it was 120 kms to the closest dealer or Indy shop, figuring the clear plastic would discolour over time so bought a spare.
    Never had any success with them.
    Because I'm running points I check timing quite a bit, got a tool that bolts onto the points cam and locks the centrifugal advance into full advance. I take the timing plug out, pull the spark plugs out so I'm only turning the engine against valve spring pressure, put a radio tuned off station close to the bike, and slowly turn the back wheel and listen for the tchk radio signal firing as the advanced timing mark, single dot, is centred in the inspection hole.
    Detaching the ignition condenser makes the tchk louder.

    Stuart, can't do it on 4 speed Evo Sporties, they only have inspection covers positioned to inspect primary chain tension, and to adjust clutch. Pretty sure that 5 speed ones are the similar, athough attachment method of the primary tension inspection cover was changed and the screw in clutch adjuster cover was replaced by a full size detachable derby cover.
  • Merv
    Merv
    23 days ago
    Quoting obisteve on 10 Nov 2025 01:55 AMedited: 10 Nov 2025 01:56 AM

    I've got 2 of the bloody things. I was planning ahead, back in the days when it was 120 kms to the closest dealer or Indy shop, figuring the clear plastic would discolour over time so bought a spare.

    Never had any success with them.
    Because I'm running points I check timing quite a bit, got a tool that bolts onto the points cam and locks the centrifugal advance into full advance. I take the timing plug out, pull the spark plugs out so I'm only turning the engine against valve spring pressure, put a radio tuned off station close to the bike, and slowly turn the back wheel and listen for the tchk radio signal firing as the advanced timing mark, single dot, is centred in the inspection hole.
    Detaching the ignition condenser makes the tchk louder.

    Stuart, can't do it on 4 speed Evo Sporties, they only have inspection covers positioned to inspect primary chain tension, and to adjust clutch. Pretty sure that 5 speed ones are the similar, athough attachment method of the primary tension inspection cover was changed and the screw in clutch adjuster cover was replaced by a full size detachable derby cover.

    Ok, so now I am getting confused. Obisteve says "listen for the tchk radio signal firing as the advanced timing mark, single dot, is centred in the inspection hole.", yet when I read the book, it shows the vertical line as advanced mark. But close study of the book just said when testing with a test light (Steve's radio! Love it!) the cam must be all the way clockwise when light is lit at vertical line. Clockwise is retarded position? Then on further, it says with timing light, motor at 2000rpm shows advanced position on vertical line. Both can't be right? Educate me please. When manually timing with test light, should light be lit with points cam in idle position (clockwise) or advanced (anti-clockwise), if vertical line is centered in window?
  • Merv
    Merv
    23 days ago
    Is this way correct, or backwards?
    "Used a test light and it lit just as I turned the motor to the "Dot", which is the idle mark. I then set it onto the "Line", the advanced mark, and when I manually turned the cam as far as I could to simulate advanced timing, the lamp lit again."
  • obisteve
    obisteve
    23 days ago
    Merv, pretty sure we're both right!
    They reversed the timing marks on Sporties in 1980. Early 1980 bikes or earlier are different to late 1980 and after bikes.
    On mine, 1990 4 speed Evo, the dot is 40° advanced on front cylinder, the line is TDC for front cylinder.
    There's a good page about it on Sportsterpedia.
  • Merv
    Merv
    22 days ago
    Thanks for that Steve, I'll stay with what I've got then.

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