Author Topic: Amal 389 Float Needle ?  (Read 984 times)

Offline oldnyk

  • Moving Up
  • **
  • Join Date: Feb 2018
  • Posts: 33
  • Karma: 0
Amal 389 Float Needle ?
« on: 08.05. 2018 20:54 »
Thought I would have a ride to the local Pub meet Monday. Pulled on the Fuel Tap and petrol gushing out of the Tickler Valve ?? and would not stop. So I took off the front cover of the Carb thinking the Float may be stuck down and behold the plastic Needle Valve was in the Float Chamber. How it came out of the Float Needle seating  I do not know ?. I had been out on the Bike the previous day and all o-k. I put it all back together and it seems o-k now.1 Time will tell and I am going to order a new Float,just in case. Anybody else had this happen ?.

Offline morris

  • Wise & Enlightened
  • *
  • Join Date: Aug 2012
  • Posts: 1779
  • Karma: 27
  • Antwerp, Belgium
Re: Amal 389 Float Needle ?
« Reply #1 on: 08.05. 2018 21:31 »
Lost the little distance piece from the float shaft?
If it ain’t there the float will move sideways and the needle will drop out.
'58 BSA A 10 SA
'52 BSA A 10 Plunger
'55 MORRIS ISIS
The world looks better from a motorbike
Belgium

Offline oldnyk

  • Moving Up
  • **
  • Join Date: Feb 2018
  • Posts: 33
  • Karma: 0
Re: Amal 389 Float Needle ?
« Reply #2 on: 08.05. 2018 21:37 »
Thank's for the reply but it was in place,very weird EH !. I have ordered another Float Needle to compare with the one in my Carb.

Offline morris

  • Wise & Enlightened
  • *
  • Join Date: Aug 2012
  • Posts: 1779
  • Karma: 27
  • Antwerp, Belgium
Re: Amal 389 Float Needle ?
« Reply #3 on: 08.05. 2018 21:45 »
Stay up float and viton tipped needle highly recommended...!
'58 BSA A 10 SA
'52 BSA A 10 Plunger
'55 MORRIS ISIS
The world looks better from a motorbike
Belgium

Offline oldnyk

  • Moving Up
  • **
  • Join Date: Feb 2018
  • Posts: 33
  • Karma: 0
Re: Amal 389 Float Needle ?
« Reply #4 on: 08.05. 2018 23:04 »
Read my mind Morris  *smiley4*  ordered stuff off E-Bay to swap em out. Also found through Googling things an Amal Tickler Pin conversion Kit on the Amal website, might try one of them as well. Cheers for the replies, I will update about this if it re-occurs.
Cheers for the input. Regards.

Online Triton Thrasher

  • Scotland
  • Wise & Enlightened
  • *
  • Join Date: Feb 2009
  • Posts: 2004
  • Karma: 23
Re: Amal 389 Float Needle ?
« Reply #5 on: 09.05. 2018 08:07 »
I think some patterns of float can be fitted upside-down, causing this sort of thing.

Also, mistakenly fitting a fibre washer under the float valve on original old Monoblocs gives the needle more room than it should have.

Both of the above conditions have other bad effects on running.

Offline oldnyk

  • Moving Up
  • **
  • Join Date: Feb 2018
  • Posts: 33
  • Karma: 0
Re: Amal 389 Float Needle ?
« Reply #6 on: 09.05. 2018 22:27 »
I think some patterns of float can be fitted upside-down, causing this sort of thing.

Also, mistakenly fitting a fibre washer under the float valve on original old Monoblocs gives the needle more room than it should have.

Both of the above conditions have other bad effects on running.

Thank's for the input Thrasher, the float is in correctly. No Fibre  Washer. One of life's little mysteries  *ex*  *eek*  Member of the A.A. and breakdown with insurance so will be rescued while out on the Bike if necessary  *smile*. cheers.

Offline atkin

  • Active
  • *
  • Join Date: Aug 2016
  • Posts: 14
  • Karma: 0
Re: Amal 389 Float Needle ?
« Reply #7 on: 05.07. 2019 16:06 »
 I have a similar problem if I start when hot once it cools runs fine cannot see any problem in float chamber .  I can get over the problem sometimes by not using the tinkler valve and more throttle . When enough petrol flows out it cools the carb too . I suspect now it might be the plastic float needle . I need to blow into the tank when cold to get the petrol to flow to the carb .


Offline Greybeard

  • Jack of all trades; master of none.
  • Wise & Enlightened
  • *
  • Join Date: Feb 2011
  • Posts: 10008
  • Karma: 51
Re: Amal 389 Float Needle ?
« Reply #8 on: 05.07. 2019 16:27 »
I have a similar problem if I start when hot once it cools runs fine cannot see any problem in float chamber .  I can get over the problem sometimes by not using the tinkler valve and more throttle . When enough petrol flows out it cools the carb too .
Ah, now I understand your other post. I only press the tickler button when the engine is cold, just to richen the mixture a tad. You may be causing the engine to flood if you are tickling when hot.
I'll go and modify my answer to you.
Greybeard (Neil)
2023 Gold Star
Supporter of THE DISTINGUISHED GENTLEMAN'S RIDE https://www.gentlemansride.com

Warwickshire UK


A Distinguished Gentleman Riding his 1955 Plunger Golden Flash