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Re: Backfire

Posted: Tue Oct 13, 2015 2:36 am
by Ian.Taylor
Hi Alan
You are correct. The float had stuck and flooded the carb.No big issue as I just tap to allow it to seat. About 1/2 throttle and she fires up.
Not this time.
At present I have installed another float and lid. My VHA never had this problem.
Although I used a good fuel line made for Motorcycles and snowmobiles I am disappointed that it melted fairly quick.
At present I'm looking for good fuel line that isn't thick and ugly. Automotive fuel line has a cloth insert but again the OD dia is too big for me but might have to use it just for the ease of mind.
BMW makes a cloth covered line but in 5/16 only.
I'm also thinking of carrying a box of Large box of Baking soda until I look into a small fire extinguisher

Re: Backfire

Posted: Tue Oct 13, 2015 6:42 am
by Steven.Carter
Would a fire blanket work, or could that make it worse.

Re: Backfire

Posted: Tue Oct 13, 2015 5:46 pm
by admin
I have one of these (empty) in a rack mount.
What could I put in it, that would put out a bike fire ?

Image

Re: Backfire

Posted: Tue Oct 13, 2015 6:58 pm
by Steven.Carter
admin wrote: What could I put in it, that would put out a bike fire ?
Probably nothing, but if you filled it with whiskey and it cought fire you wouldn't care :D

Re: Backfire

Posted: Tue Oct 13, 2015 7:55 pm
by Ian.Taylor
lol I think whiskey might be good at some point. I know Baking Soda works with gas,grease etc and fire blanket might work to help contain the flames but i think something will be needed to help put it out. A box of Baking Soda can be tossed onto the area to smoother it.It is one if only product that does indeed smoother the flames/oxygen

Re: Backfire

Posted: Tue Oct 13, 2015 11:11 pm
by nevhunter
Good thing you turned the fuel off. Over the years I have had many carburetters flood, even ones that have worked for a while. The clip can fall out of the grove in the needle or just grunge stopping the needle from seating.
After you tickle it make sure the flow stops. If it looks as if it doesn't, turn the fuel off and put it back on after the engine is running. If it is OK, fine otherwise pull the bowl cover off and investigate.
If you fit a gauze in the intake if it's the right fineness it will act as a mining safety lamp (Davey) and be a flame trap. You need to achieve a fairly large diameter so it won't make it run rich. Nev

Re: Backfire

Posted: Wed Oct 14, 2015 3:40 am
by Ian.Taylor
Hi Nev
I would love to fit one but I have about 1 " between the back of the carb to oil tank.
If I remove the spacer the Bowl now hits the Generator so I must turn it back which then fouls the belmouth.I could remove the Generator but I really don't want to. Not much of any options on the 31 I can see.
I wish Amal made a bowl with a slightly longer arm so the bowl would clear the generator .Problem would be solved.

Re: Backfire

Posted: Wed Oct 14, 2015 5:36 am
by nevhunter
Amal do make longer arm bowls in the later type. I have one which has no angle on it. Is the 31 flat intake tract? Nev

Re: Backfire

Posted: Wed Oct 14, 2015 9:20 am
by john.whiting
The Pyrene pump type were filled with carbon tetrachloride,but any of the heavier chlorinated hydrocarbon cleaners were pretty effective.These are now in the category of "yellow" fire extinguishers and only legal on aircraft. Norton ES2s of the forties /fifties had a flame trap as standard,and it has three layers of fairly coarse mesh.Regards John.

Re: Backfire

Posted: Wed Oct 14, 2015 11:31 am
by alan.moore
Ian
This is a link to a previous post regarding flame traps...would one of these fit?
http://forum.arielownersmcc.com/viewtopic.php?t=2291