Getting her running

SideValve · Post by **SideValve** » Tue Nov 15, 2011 12:29 pm

Tappets hitting the cover plate doesn't sound good. Push-rods too long? Wrong adjusters?

Niceride · Post by **Niceride** » Tue Nov 15, 2011 12:59 pm

Is there an image of what the adjusters should look like?
I have adjusted the length of them correctly so they spin freely when cold but are firm when warm - as I was replacing the cover when the bike was running i noticed that the tappets were knocking as I was trying to tighten the cover. I will take a look next time I get a chance to see if there is any marking inside the cover, if so I may make a thick gasket to space them out. Has anyone else had this problem?

cbranni · Post by **cbranni** » Tue Nov 15, 2011 1:27 pm

Adjust the tappets when engine is warm and set them so you can just turn them by your fingers, do this at TDC on the firing stroke.Tappets knocking the cover??? I far as I know that cant happen, are you talking rocker box or tappet cover?
Colin

Niceride · Post by **Niceride** » Tue Nov 15, 2011 1:57 pm

The tappet cover (the one that comes off with 3 round headed nuts, 2 at the bottom and one at the top just under the tank). I will remove it again to check but I'm pretty sure something was hitting as I was putting it back on. I need to slacken them off a tiny bit as I thought they should just be tight at TDC when warm, not free spinning as they are at cold.

SPRIDDLER · Post by **SPRIDDLER** » Tue Nov 15, 2011 3:17 pm

quote:
I'm pretty sure something was hitting as I was putting it back on.
In which case when you've removed it you should see marks on the inside of the cover....

Niceride · Post by **Niceride** » Tue Nov 15, 2011 4:17 pm

quote:
quote:
I'm pretty sure something was hitting as I was putting it back on.
In which case when you've removed it you should see marks on the inside of the cover....

I will check next time I get a chance...

Niceride · Post by **Niceride** » Thu Nov 17, 2011 4:25 pm

Passed the MOT today but twice on the 3 mile ride back the bike lost all power. I took the (new) spark plug out and checked it, it seemed fine. It was difficult to see if there was a spark in the bright Brighton sunshine but it wouldn't start when I tried to kick it.
Once the bike had cooled down a little it ran fine for half a mile or so then cut out again.
I replaced the condenser and I thought I had the timing pretty well adjusted before this.
Is there a common hot running fault that I should be aware of?

Janet · Post by **Janet** » Thu Nov 17, 2011 6:15 pm

quote: Is there a common hot running fault that I should be aware of?Not as far as I know.

Niceride · Post by **Niceride** » Thu Nov 17, 2011 6:46 pm

I'm thinking coil or plug as it seems to be fueling ok

cbranni · Post by **cbranni** » Thu Nov 17, 2011 8:29 pm

Engine gets up to temp .........then stops, cools down and and then starts.........my humble opinion tappet too tight...........was the feel of compression on the kickstart the same when the engine stopped?
ie lack of compression
Could check filters in tank and in banjo and breather hole in petrol cap not blocked
Colin