Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Starting the Deluxe cold

This video says it all.  After sitting for a week since I tuned the ignition timing, it starts on the second kick.

Almost ready for a decently long trip.



  • The dynamo is working well

  • The oil leaks are slowly being cured

  • The breather hose to the back has been installed

  • It seems to start alright when warm

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Sunbeam S7 Deluxe tuned and adjusted

The engine has been hard to start, and hasn't seem to had the right amount of torque at low revs.  I figured that it was too far advanced, and I should back it off some.  I'm not halfway between the original mark on the distributor and where the book said to set it.  It runs much better.

Also, the clutch travel wasn't right, so I took the blob of tape off the handlebar to find that someone had adjusted the clutch cable with a washer holding the sheath out away from the handle.  That explained a lot.  I removed the bodge, and then remembered that the clutch slave arm wasn't symmetrical.  Its actually made so that its bent a little and can be put on either direction.  This meant pulling the rear fender out of the way, and undoing the jam-nut and screw that holds the arm in.  With that done, I flipped it around and then readjusted the clutch adjuster so that I got better travel and engagement at about where I wanted it.  The clutch is much better now and the bike even shifts better since its disengaging better.  Previously it would clunk pretty loud when changing from 1st to 2nd.  Now its smooth.  Probably smoother than my Guzzi.

I still haven't taken it very far.  The engine runs hot even though its running a little on the rich side.  The rings are likely still rather tight.