Subject: Re: An oddity
Author: Ian Adkins
Date: Apr 19, 2001, 10:58 AM
Post ID: 1706382807
Bob,
Now that there is a case of beer on the line it's about time I should start
my Voodoo dance to rid your bike of these evil spirits :-)
Seriously......you have done just about everything. You are close to fixing
this...honest! It has to be one of two things. Either the carb is flooding
or you are having ignition problems. Work to eliminate the obvious and
eventually you should isolate the problem. Brian had some good thoughts on
the electrical issues.
If there wasn't this stupid border between us I would offer to swap bikes
(your bike for my 70 Ambo...which is running dead on right now) until I
sorted the problem out on your bike. This is becoming personal. I want that
bike running!!
Of course we will all be here to bouce questions off of and to offer
thoughts.
Good luck....Ian
-----Original Message-----
From: Robert Hawkes <haw-@frontiernet.net>
To: Loopfram-@topica.com <Loopfram-@topica.com>
Date: April 19, 2001 9:17 AM
Subject: Re: An oddity
Brian, Thanks for your response; I sort of get it. Let me tell you a few more things about this Ambo of mine. When I bought this bike, over a year ago, it did not run right. The dealer installed a new battery and changed the generator which did nothing. Electrics are all Marelli. All along I thought a piston kit was needed as, upon inspection, there was evidence of chrome flaking off the cylinders. So, I installed a new Nikasil piston kit, new gaskets, lapped the valves |
| seats, measured the valve guides and valve stems within tolerances, torqued the heads two times for break-in period, adjusted the valves two times, replaced spark plug wires and coil wire and checked for proper ohm resistance, replaced return springs on automatic spark advance using 8 and |
| coil springs, replaced distributor cap, cleaned the cap, rotor and points, new points and condenser and I have put more new spark plugs on the starboard side cylinder than I can count. Also cleaned battery terminals and leads to regulator. (Even new header pipe gaskets.) When I start the bike with a new plug she will run OK for about 10 mi. |
| when I slow down or stop at a red light the starboard cylinder begin to |
| and then will quit. I give it the gas a bit and she starts to fire again and then fails. I pull the plug and always find evidence of fouling; the plug is wet, dripping wet with gasoline. Sometimes gas will drip out the starboard header where it joins the muffler. When both cylinders are |
| the bike has plenty of power and (like the rest of you guys) the bike is a joy to ride but it is always short lived. Please keep in mind that despite all the changes mentioned above it is always the starboard cylinder that quits. I am very grateful for all the help from you guys on this list esp. Ian, Andy, Peter, Rich and Mark and now from you Brian but I am now becoming desperate, therefore: IF ANYONE ON THIS LIST PROVIDES ME WITH INFORMATION LEADING TO THE ARREST AND CONVICTION OF THE GREMLIN THAT IS CAUSING THIS PROBLEM AND RESULTS IN |
| AMBASSADOR RUNNING CONTINUOUSLY ON TWO CYLINDERS I WILL SEND THEM A CASE OF THEIR FAVOURITE BEER - OFFER GOOD ONLY IN THE CONTINENTAL UNITED STATES - ONE WINNER ONLY. Thanks, Bob Hawkes |