Leader resto complete but alas a problem

[Anthony Woolhead]

I completed the resto on the bike including new rings on the pistons, the bores were in very good shape. All this was achieved for just over a grand and around 600 pleasurable hours of graft. However, it proved to be extremely hard to start and would only run on a high throttle opening.

This prompted me to strip out the crankshaft and replace the main bearings, which were in surprisingly poor condition. I also replaced the oil seals.

Now the engine starts much more easily but will only run on choke. As soon as I attempt to push it in it stalls. The carb was meticulously cleaned during the resto and the tank went round in my cement mixer full of gravel, washed out and sealed.

Any ideas would be very welcome guys.

Tony

[dave.owen]

Did you changed the crankshaft oil seals.
If older they may be hard and letting air in


Dave

[Anthony Woolhead]

Thanks for your interest Dave, I changed the 2 centre seals and the offside seal. The nearside looked in very good order.

Tony

[bh.sprint]

Hello,

Just a thought -- Are the jets,slide and needle correct according to the book.

Brian H.

[Anthony Woolhead]

Hi Brian, although I have cleaned the carb on several occasions I never checked the numbers, it will be my next step.

Tony.

[bh.sprint]

Hi,

I can't find any details in the manuals of the needle number/type but from a pencil note in my Amal booklet, the Leader has a B needle and the Sports Arrow ( 376 carb ) a C needle which I think is longer.

Brian H.