The Knowledge - Velocette Owners Club

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in the up position in the body of the carbs). However if the choke has to be used (closed/down) to make to make the engine run once warm it is obvious the mixture strength is far too weak. Firstly check all the jets and slide are as per the manual and that there are no blockages obvious in any of the jets. Check that the needle valve is clipped in the middle position or one groove up or down from this. The pilot valve should be one and a half turns out from fully screwed in as a starting point. (Screwing out weakens the mixture and enrichens it) #4702 sounds like the pilot jet is blocked. L # 4835 Just got my Velo from UK. Its got a good spark and fuel to the carb but won't even make a pop. Followed the Velo startin drill from my books as well. The only thing I can think of at this point is that when I got the bike all the cabling was disconnected. Is it possible that the exhaust valve vacuum release is not properly hooked up? it seems unlikely because I seem to be getting compression but I’m out of ideas at this point. And I am quite certain it did run before being shipped. # 4837 After kicking was the sparkplug wet? One thing that works on my velo's is to give several priming kicks with the decompressor pulled in. (this may be my imagination but...) Flood carbie well (turn off petrol if you don't know bike as in this case for safety), do my primary kick thing as above, then kick gently to compression, decomp, push kick starter slowly to bottom of movement, then give a good kick. If valve and ignition timing is OK, Maggy has spark, and carb is wet and in good nick, it must go! # 4838 I think that you need to experiment with old bikes until you find out what the particular machines likes. For example, reading your note, my MAC will not fire if I flood the carb. Absolutely no way. I close the air slide then follow the standard Velo starting procedure (ease over compression etc.) and after one or two kicks it either fires or starts. #4846 Tickle carb till finger wetted, close air lever 3/4 way, turn engine till compression felt, then with kickstar at top, operate exhaust valve lifter, kick slowly to bottom of kickstart stroke, release valve lifter, and kick manfully over compression, with throttle opened only the merest amount, avoiding the tendency most people have of snatching open the throttle as you kick. Repeat this several thousand times cursing loudly. My '47 MAC sidecar outfit refused to start after I added a lead substitute ( Redex) but was fine again after drained out and refilled with standard lead free, which I have used ever since leaded became unavailable. Some many years back, I was asked by Phil Bleasey (ex Fishtail editor) to help him pick up a Venom he had bought from a chap who had done quite a good job of rebuilding the bike, but eventually gave up on the machine as he had never managed to start it. Everthing seemed OK till we realised that it was timed to exactly 38 before top dead, but on the exhaust stroke. 10 minutes later we were flat out on the by-pass! Good luck, you'll love it once you've got it going. # 4836 Sometimes a good hill does the trick. L # 4848 I recently took delivery of my 1960 Venom that has been expertly restored by Dave Smith in Chicago, fitted with a 10.5:1 compression piston, squish head, and a new BTH magneto and twin plugs. Because of the minimum RPM required to light off the BTH I was learning all sorts of new words trying to get it started. I'd been aware of various "mobile starters", i.e. the Foxley, that use a rubber tire powered by a gasoline engine which one positions against the rear tire. Definitely a two-man operation and expensive also. I finally found a chap who makes a battery-powered starter that consists of a pair of parallel rollers mounted in a fabricated steel structure, each of which is powered independently by a Ford truck starter motor. A folding steel plate on each end allows the rear wheel to be rolled onto the platform where it contacts both rollers. A foot switch supplies power to the starters through a HD starter relay. In practice the bike is put into third gear, the front brake is applied, the decompressor lever is pulled in, the unit is engaged, and when you release the decompressor lever the bike is instantly running. You can then roll the bike off the starter and motor away. Not only is this useful for starting the bike, but I've also used it to thoroughly purge the oiling system of the old oil when changing oil. I've also learned that AMAL used to make a device they called the "Easy Start" for the 14
Monoblock carburetors, which replaces the slide stop screw. There is a little "toggle" in this device which when actuated, raises the slide by .030", the ideal amount to provide excellent air velocity across the idle jet and get the bike running quickly. Once it warms up a bit you can deactivate the toggle and motor away. I certainly can't take credit for this idea, an acquaintance in England came up with this idea and is making a couple of these for me for the AMAL Mk I Concentric fitted to the Venom and if there is enough interest I suspect he will offer them generally for sale. Those interested in the roller starter can contact: Mr. Art "Doc" Zimmerman Doc Z International Ltd. 24220 Bruce Road Bay Village, OH 44140 Phone: (440) 841-7112 email: docZ01@... Current price is probably around $600.00, which doesn't include a battery or the battery cables, but this thing really works well and saves beating the kickstart mechanism to death. # 4851 George, If you need rollers to start a Venom, there's something wrong. A good BTH mag will put out a super spark even at low revs; that's not the problem. A sump full of oil with close ratio (TT) gears may be. Maybe the technique too? # 4853 I have a '60 VM clubman with a Dave Smith supplied squish head, 10:1 ratio, BTH TT mag, and a 1 1/4" TT carb, and have no trouble starting whatsoever. Check mag output and carburation, the BTH should give a fat spark at almost no revs, with hand turning of the mag shaft, or a slow kickover. But, if the idle circuit isn't right, even a docile beast like an MSS will be a difficult starter. Will it idle slowly, once started? # 4854 My '51 MAC was once hard to start for a while, but the problem eventually came to light when it also began idling poorly or stopping completely when the throttle was closed. Tracked it down to the idle- jet having a tiny bit of 'something' stuck in the hole-almost too small to see with the naked eye but once removed everything was back to normal- ie 2 or 3 kicks at worst and usually a first-kick start even after several weeks of storage. #4859 My definition of “hard starting” is having to kick twice. If we do not fire up on the first kick a look of surprise spreads across the face. Is it not more particle to have the thing set-up right and avoid the problems? # 4855 I used to think I could no longer run fast enough to start my bikes via bumping off....my sons showed me up! Actually the magneto may be the culprit....was it rebuilt? As an aside....a lot of us AHRMA guys used starting rollers both powered and driven but IMHO they are a waste of bucks ($) if all is properly tuned. L # 4867 Can anyone clue me into how to get a Venom started again once it's hot? The Mag is fine I have spark and I have fuel and compression. Starts like a champ cold. Runs great. But if I stop and let it sit longer than 5 minutes I might just as well fine a pub and wait an hour. # 4868 Gees. Most people look forward to a good excuse to sit in a pub for an hour. Seriously, though... do you have a phenolic thermal insulating washer to isolate the carb? That helped me. # 4873 I agree, but we need to help him solve the problem because there are times when the hapless Velo rider is stuck with a beast that won't start and there's no pub within cooee. So, the procedure according to JJ is as follows: 1. If spark, compression and fuel are confirmed, find a hill (or if flat ground enlist the help of a bike pusher) and bump start. I despair to see Velo riders wearing out their right knee joint (and less importantly, the kickstart ratchet) with a beast that clearly has no interest in firing and continuing to run after that single shot we get, courtesy of that low geared kick starter. The second best starter in my shed is Li'l Speedy, the '39 MAC racer - and it doesn't even have a kick starter! 2. Nearest I can get to help the Venom problem specifically, is a problem we had with Kamahl, the Concentric equipped Mk2 Clubman. When almost hot, it fires, then spits back and won't run. A timely hint from my old mate Richard (who has the world's best and much ridden Mk2 Clubman) prevented me and PD'O from setting fire to this bugger. A smidgin of choke to get started when almost hot solved the problem completely. It doesn't appear to be related to jetting or float level (because I know Richard's would be 15
Page 1 and 2: 1 The Knowledge Being a compendium
Page 3 and 4: A Diagnosing Troubles A.1 Hard Star
Page 5 and 6: automatic mag fitted at sometime in
Page 7 and 8: 10celsius and only oil I could get
Page 9 and 10: enough to slide the left hand in ab
Page 11 and 12: think I could expect better? I reme
Page 13: L #3777 My 1938 MSS has an old AMAL
Page 17 and 18: L # 4946 I'm having difficulties wi
Page 19 and 20: in. With the cam timing right, thes
Page 21 and 22: clear fuel line. Fill the float cha
Page 23 and 24: coming from (top end, barrel, botto
Page 25 and 26: A.2. Poor Gear Change - L #3 I have
Page 27 and 28: use gets shimmed as tightly as I ca
Page 29 and 30: A.3. Faulty Electrics - L #1 I have
Page 31 and 32: never have the problem. #3909 First
Page 33 and 34: the zeners as heat - and using 1/4
Page 35 and 36: #523 I can't remember where I learn
Page 37 and 38: L #1042 Was hoping someone could re
Page 39 and 40: www.croesus-consultants.co.uk/v-tec
Page 41 and 42: has mentioned the probable cause an
Page 43 and 44: #2445 The way to set the shimming f
Page 45 and 46: last as long as tapers. I also went
Page 47 and 48: and pinned and the preload set up c
Page 49 and 50: know, - this is no help with a Veno
Page 51 and 52: L #458 I've just got a +60 piston f
Page 53 and 54: pistons. #747 If you've melted meta
Page 55 and 56: have is 2.677 inches. However this
Page 57 and 58: my home, I started to push it a lit
Page 59 and 60: B.3. Cylinder Head and Valves - L #
Page 61 and 62: #509 I cant agree about oiling the
Page 63 and 64: even more difficult due to the "wav
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wanting to measure everything up be
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and the wells underneath were full
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way. The seats I can get recut, and
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L #3922 I have recently purchased m
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arrangements around the rocker pivo
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you had the minute difference betwe
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chance that the lapping in will be
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# 5973 Originally it would have had
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B.4. Timing Gear and Pushrods - L #
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#1217 Basically the intake valve cl
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end of the rocker. You can then lev
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L #2596 Im rebuilding my '58 Venom
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.052" clearance Exhaust closes 41
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to the housing, either the magneto
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Paul Zell recommended Gary Robinson
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gear must be more than the wattage
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sparkplug hole before storage. I ju
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#604 My good, and lamentably late f
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shop #770 On the oil filters, I wou
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all the oil out straight onto the f
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It's a long story but aircraft engi
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even fully synthetic Formula RS and
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L #3034 A mate of mine has the foll
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how much? Not critical, maybe 0.5"
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skimmed and oversize linings fitted
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the bores in 20 crankcases. Measuri
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# 6249 There was an interesting art
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# VOCNA 217 I'm curious if you're g
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the pump circumference, I put one b
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of preservative. A fellow VOC membe
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has no pipe leading from it. It see
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amount which drops out onto the wal
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the valve, no contact whatsoever !
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B.7. Racing and High Performance -
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it, fit a 86mm cam steady plate wit
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trouble with them seizing but never
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C. The Electrics C.1. Ignition and
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centerline, so a dial indicator tha
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ut when you use the dti like I do,
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and shaft problem. The pointless ma
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#819 Accessory Mart has KLG FE 220
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log/TOOLS.html&CatalogBody Just scr
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#712 if you are such a heathen (lik
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on, the battery might become discha
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to the fibre drive gear as there is
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end of the field connected to the D
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C.4. Lights and Horn - L #381 My re
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Venom/Thruxton is the culprit. I've
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C.5. Electric Conversions - L #23 I
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atteries are black already, if a bi
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een suggested that I go back to Mag
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problems - it is one of the current
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have been caused by the motor kicki
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handlebar switches off a 1960's Hon
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light on, etc would be very useful,
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180 from the stock 200, which at th
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erratic idle and the engine seldom
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new. Is there any reason to switch
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emoving rust stains even on cloth,
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#3332 I fitted a new concentric and
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#4432 Be sure to use a .106" needle
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smallish Triumph twin style K&N wil
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D.2. Fuels - L #180 I have not used
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wouldn't add 20% as this might brin
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E. The Drive Train E.1. Primary Dri
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trouble could come from, and how to
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with the double plates at the drive
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L #1331 My clutch ballrace is bit w
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However the reasoning (?) behind it
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alls. He Loctited the bearing into
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# 5273 Unless I am mistaken turning
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the O.D. not much, just enough for
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of the bearing to give the correct
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study of the 'Diagram of Clutch Ope
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teeth when he had the layshaft with
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L #650 Please tell me the parts num
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#2613 There are three types of kick
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didn't slide back through the seal
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designed for use in manual transmis
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made a partial improvement by movin
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and my friend use Castrol GTX many
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many of us use. Drag Specialties, P
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machines absolutely pristine, it is
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L #239 Has anyone tried to use a 52
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#285 felt seal case-bulging is norm
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need them. #2781 Call me a Doubting
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Reynolds, since I never have spent
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Japan" on the box, or Regina from I
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# 6310 If you own a Velocette, or a
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was racing Velos way back, and repo
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F. Running Gear F.1. Steering Head,
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L #879 Here's a question for the gr
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ush and then reverse the fork membe
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diameter . I bought a pair of clip
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have been produced around the same
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Rebound damping also feels insuffic
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eprint from Geof Steele the clues a
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holes with bronze weld & re- drilli
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has very crude looking dimples, so
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locates on the extension of the bea
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Dunlop 3.50 x 19" (rear) Admittedly
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less than 90 degrees. This should c
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hand thread. My brother who owns a
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frames. Also saddle top and pillion
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colour was called Oxford blue when
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seat shell and this will help if I
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#2181 If you use a roll pin in plac
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works. #2710 When I installed mine
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#2857 Paint the iron brake drum sec
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don't think any models left the fac
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strap, a LARGE diameter flat washer
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L # 5492 I am starting a Venom/Vipe
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position of the # 5725 My tank pain
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# 6011 Here is the part reference f
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G.2. Cables, Controls and Instrumen
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# 5228 Hi, Vehicle Wiring products
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can get the casting welded / streng
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levers and preferably ball-end type
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fishtail was rotten and not being t
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Jiggo effected a temporary fix with
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H. Manuals & Spares L #31 By the wa
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01949 836734 they have Mikuni alter
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#3958 My old float is a cylindrical
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# 6287 Price Productions do an exch
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machine, not for starting. Definite
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data to hand, mine is a tele/rigid)
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obtained it in 1975 and was even le
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#2951 When assembling my VMT 334, w
Page 321 and 322:
odd one mixed in when I rebuilt my
Page 323 and 324:
port through the Winter, only occas
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The Knowledge - Velocette Owners Club

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