Subject: Re: An oddity

Ian,
Yes, there are a lot of good suggestions coming my way today. I hope I
haven't made for a competative situation on the list. I think everyone
understands how desperate I am. This has got to be something simple at this
point. Keep in touch, Bob
----- Original Message -----
From: Ian Adkins <adk-@gte.net>
To: <Loopfram-@topica.com>
Sent: Thursday, April 19, 2001 1:33 PM
Subject: Re: An oddity

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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

and

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.

Then

when I slow down or stop at a red light the starboard cylinder begin to

fail

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

firing

the bike has plenty of power and (like the rest of you guys) the bike is

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

THEIR FAVOURITE BEER - OFFER GOOD ONLY IN THE CONTINENTAL UNITED STATES -
ONE WINNER ONLY.

Thanks, Bob Hawkes

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Subject: Re: An oddity

Author: Robert Hawkes

Date: Apr 19, 2001, 6:40 PM

Post ID: 1706388911

Entire thread: