From:Steve Marks e-mail:steve@microdesign.ltd.uk
Subject:RE: KJ tunning help Date:Mon May 14 05:46:09 2007
Response to:1548
Happened to me on New Year's Day this year on my 1949 BSA Star Twin. It has two carbs but I ususally just tickle one. If it doesn't start within a couple of kicks I tickle the other one. On this occasion it didn't start within the first two kicks so I looked down to tickle the second carb. That's when I saw the flames licking up around the back end of the tank. There had been no backfire or kick back so I was surprised to see this. Now, I always stand astride the bike when I'm kicking it so, given the close proximity of the flames to important parts of the anatomy, first thing to do was get off which I did pretty quick. Put the bike on the stand and switched the petrol taps off. I then discovered that trying to blow out the flames was pointless when wearing a full face helmet..... Opening the visor didn't improve matters either. Trying to pat out the flames with gloved hands was also inneffective - couldn't get in close enough to the source of the flames. That's when I ran to the house, got the workshop keys, opened the workshop and reappeared with a fire extinguisher. It was well alight now but one tiny squirt - just a fraction of a second - and the flames were out. Gave it a few more squirts just to make sure and then gave up on the New Year's Day run. Damage was restricted to clutch, throttle and choke cables - still worked but the plastic coverings had melted. The wiring loom was also gone as was one of the HT leads. But nothing else - no damage to paint or chrome. So I was very lucky. If it had happened elswhere with no extinguisher available, it could have been a different story. By the next time I took the bike out, I'd joined the ranks of 'those weird guys you see with the fire extinguisher on the side of there bike!'......

----- ORIGINAL MESSAGE FOLLOWS -----
hmmmmmmmm I have one that is interesting. I have a 1930 model KJ very nice bike went to start it the day before and she started on the fourth kick ran a few revolutions then saw a very nice orange blue color on the mag side of the motor as I looked at the very fine flame coming from around the mag the generator and the bottom of the motor stop to think well ?? should I take a picture of this fine site? I calmly walked to the other side of my shop where I yanked the fire extinguisher from the bench and dowsed the whole motor! after pondering what damage might be under the Yellow powder that turned to paste with the flow of gas from the busted fuel line I rolled the bike outside to air blow it off to my surprise no damage! although the tanks had a nice black film on them no damage to paint or anything... wow!
I replaced the old line and have never had a problem ever in my life like this. Keep in mind I like many others laugh at those weird guys you see with the fire extinguisher on the side of there bike! I even know of a friend that sat by the side of the road to watch his 38 inline Indian parish to flame. I even remember old Todd Bertrange coming back from Oregon with the two 31 Hendersons on the back of his worn out truck that caught fire as he watched it burn all to the ground a friend still has the aluminum puddle from the road where they had burned. I am wondering how all feel about the FIRE EXTINGUISHER? dose Howard Heilman make a leather cover that dose not detract from the bike?


Ok now my tech question.
I would like to talk with others on tuning the bike It seems I can never get it just right? my other machines run fine is there something I don't know? Is there anyone that will be at Hanford meet or Dixon that has a late one that can give me a lecture on what I just can not figure out?
I always welcome help ..
thanks pat