01-03-2018, 04:04 AM
(01-03-2018, 03:44 AM)use2b_imp Wrote: the Norton's were good looking bikes but could be stubborn to start.
I rode with a group on NCO's in the mid 70's and one Marine had an 850 Commando . he was a small guy and had so much trouble getting it started especially when hot . many times i would relieve him and kick on it a while . It did sound great but was not as fast at my CB750K at least with him riding it . I became very fond of electric starters
All the British bikes had a multi step procedure needed to start them. Open both fuel taps, tickle the carbs, give the kick starter a few easy kicks to free the clutch plates. Move the pistons to top dead center. You could always tell because it was point of the most compression. The kick starter had to be released and then brought to the top of its swing so you could give the motor a good spin. Some also had a lever on the handlebar to adjust the carburetion and idle. The setting varied depending on the warmth of the motor.
It was always my experience that the more you needed a British bike to start quickly (stalled at a new green light) the more trouble she gave you.