I have just bought a 1964 BSA C15 Star which I am having trouble starting. The bike has an air lever, but the BSA instruction manual at the top of page 8 seems to suggest the C15 and C15T do not have air levers. Can anyone clarify please and any advise on starting. Thanks
I have a 1961 C15 which is fitted with a choke lever. I presume it was built that way but who knows, it is a long time ago!
It starts in a couple of kicks if I tickle the float until fuel just overflows from the carb and do not use the choke lever.....or make sure the float chamber of full without flooding over and use the choke lever, opening it as soon as it starts.
Many remove the choke lever and slide and plug the hole in the carb top, and only use the tickle method.
Find what works for you and stay with it, all these engines have their own foibles and no one rule works for all.
Of course, check the ignition timing is correct, air cleaner not blocked, valve clearances are correct and you a getting a spark at the plug...as well as fuel in the carb!
Hope you have success!
Hi Geoff,
In case you're new to these bikes and the carbs, the air lever operates in the opposite way from old-style chokes. It's a slide that is operated by a cable that enters the top of the carb behind the throttle cable. Pulling the lever (tighten cable) raises the slide for normal running. Pushing the lever (slacken cable) lowers the slide for cold starting.
As John mentions, if you tickle the carb until fuel drips out then it will likely start with the slide raised (no choke) - assuming everything else is right!
Cheers,
Bernie
Thanks for your replies guys. I had a C15 in 1962 just before I joined the Royal Navy. Have noted your advice and will check Vv clearances and ignition timing. Have checked the pilot jet and thats clear. I think part of the problem is my age (73) and the lack of strength. anyway I will persevere. I have a 1975 Suzuki GT185 so I am not stuck for a ride.
That's a good age Geoff! I will be 73 next month but at the moment do not find kicking over the C15 to be a problem as far as strength goes.
Recently I had the right hand outer cover off to change the kickstart spring and to do that the screw that retains the distributor in position, and hence sets the ignition timing, has to be removed.
After changing the spring I thought I would check it would start OK, which you can do without that outer cover in position, but forgot the distributor was "loose" and had turned to a position that was far too advanced....kick backs etc ensued, very unpleasant until I realised what had happened, and after resetting the distributor to my "mark" it started first kick.
It was very hard to kick over when the timing was wrong, or certainly seemed it.
First of all, back to basics:
Make sure you have a good spark
Make sure fresh fuel is in the tank and the carburettor has no blockages and fills up ok.
As previously mentioned, check valve clearances and timing - timing is not too critical for starting if approx. correct. Too much advance and it will kick back.
Tickle carb till fuel comes out of tickle plunger. This time of the year I do use the choke so close the choke lever ( by in effect loosening the cable not tightening it), ease the engine just over tdc, turn on ignition and swing down on the kick start. My bike is a swine to start unless I open the throttle a bit so try doing that as well.
Good luck with it!