"Project Bantam" - Engine fires off

I stayed up a little later than usual to try to get some more work done on the 14FB engine. The axial float was easily obtained by making a slightly thicker gasket. The backing plate for the fan shroud hadn't been painted, so I did that before going to bed.

The rest of the tinwork went on easily and looks sharp.

The head was torqued down and carb mounted. All that was left was to set the ignition timing and points. The Magnematic is so simple to set. Gap the points, use a test lamp to watch for the points just opening. Then set the coil to point at the arrow on number 14.

I bolted the engine to a plank for stability. Shooting some ether, and pulling the cord yielded a satisfying BANG! I'm grinning.

The fan shroud still needs some structural repair.... The next task.

Started on 3rd kick

It was glorious!!!

I simply checked the spark, squirted some extra oil on the camshaft, and put fuel in.  It started on the 3rd kick.

KYL95 is looking good here shining in the fluorescent glow of my workshop.

Now the remaining issues...  The oil light doesn't go out.  So, I checked that with a gauge... a gauge that was too small.  It produces over 10 psi and pegged the gauge, so I'm good there.  Must be the switch, although it checked good last time I checked it a year ago.  Maybe the contacts are stuck?

I'd like to put a T in the line and monitor the oil pressure with a permanent gauge.  Anyone know what kind of thread that is?  Or should I go back to Stewart Engineering and get the adapter and a modern oil switch?

Second issue.  The charge indicator stays on, which indicates more trouble.  I'll try checking the case ground and then tickling the field coil again and see if that does anything.  I recall having an earthing issue on the dynamo casing when I first started working on the bike back in October.  There is the chance that the voltage regulator isn't working right, but that will take some time to debug.

Overall I'm very happy.  It starts amazing easily.  I didn't let it warm up properly enough to turn off the strangler.  That will be the real test, because before it popped and chugged and carried on like crazy before with the old loose & leaky throttle slide.  This new throttle slide is a little on the tight side... The return spring BEARLY overcomes the friction to close the throttle.