Decided to keep my '56 Mk2....

[simon.holyfield]

I had a strange experience with a Honda QR50 I'm rebuilding for the grandchildren. It started easily at it's first start two weeks ago, using my big Bosch power drill on the generator. This last weekend, it needed 'Easy Start' to get it going - but now it starts first time, every time on the kick starter.

No other mechanical changes in between, though possibly it was over-oiling.

Would you consider easy start on the SQ4? Mine usually goes first kick, though you have to put a lot of grunt into it if it's cold and obviously its a Mk1 with a Solex, so not very comparable...

[berniejones]

I will try that - thought about it the other day but didn't have enough arms to hold the throttle open, lift the slide and direct the jet in the right direction! I'll give that a go as it might be a good way to determine if the carburation problem is electrical or the other way round

[berniejones]

My EI kit from Sussex Motorcycles has just arrived and I'm hoping to fit it within the next day or so.

In theory this shouldn't help with the starting problems but we'll see.
If it doesn't sort it I'm going to order an appropriately jetted Amal concentric and try that.

We will get there one day!

Cheers,
Bernie

[berniejones]

IT STARTS!!!!
Fitted the EI kit from Sussex Motorcycles. There was a 'pop' when I turned the ignition on - seems this kit fires on power up - so at least that answered the question of whther there was fuel getting through.

A bit of fiddling with the timing and it starts well.

I still need to refine ignition timing and carb mixture adjustment but this is a major step forward!

A few test runs will ne needed nbit once I'm happy all is well then I'll be looking at putting the newly-acquired sidecar on later this year

Cheers,
Bernie