RetroRiders VMG

Post edited 6:55 pm – August 17, 2009 by 1morebike

My Amals were up to some mischief this weekend. I rode to Trout lake Friday on the Norton for the Northwest Norton Owners annual camp-out. After being on road for 2 hours I passed through Goldendale and noticed that the Bike was idling at about 2500 RPM. It should idle at about 1000 or 1100. I rode to trout lake before I tried to sort it out. When I got there I (eventually) noticed that one of the throttle stop screws was screwed in much further than the other. I backed it out and the idle was better. I went for a ride Saturday Morning. I went about 16 miles and the idle was very high again (like 3000). The same throttle stop screw was again screwed in to far. It was very easy to turn too. I concluded that the friction o ring on the screw was worn out and a combination of the engine vibration and engine vacuum was causing the thing to screw itself in under sustained open throttle. A small piece of electrical tape on the o-ring tightened it up and I was good for the rest of the weekend. The lessons: 34 year old o-rings probably aren't much good anymore and always carry a roll of black tape.