TV3: First Start-up?

[911hillclimber]

Soon be time to try to get the bog standard engine going.

New piston/rings/barrel/head.
Cleaned 20mm carb, new standard spec jets
New plug and lead, old coil for now (Vespa coil out of stock)

Self timed engine I think at 17 degrees, new points and condenser.
New fuel tap and pipes.

Need to get some '2 stroke oil' (is it called that these days?) I guess from Halfords and some fresh petrol.

Any hints and tips for this first try?
The piston will have some light oil residue from assembling the engine so might be a problem.

I was going to remove the plug and do the spark test but kick it over a few times to get the fuel in place, back in with a (warmed) plug and get it going.

[grandpa]

Hi Hillclimber,
If it wont start try a thimble full of fuel down plughole and refit plug.... prepare to smile broadly when it finally runs
Grandpa

[911hillclimber]

I think that was where I was coming from with all the assembly oil in the bore, will need a bit of a flush-out.

In '67 my TV3/225 started first kick every time.
My first Scooter, an Li150 Series 2 didn't....

[St George]

Don't worry it is not luck, you sound like you have dotted the "I's". Enjoy. We are here if you need us.

[CHRIS in MARGATE]

Just finished a new 175 rebuild yesterday. This one was assembled with lots of oil down the barrel and I mean lots. Fresh fuel (highest octane at least 97). Choke, no throttle. Started 3rd kick. So much smoke I thought the oil seal had gone. 10 miles round and round the block and all clear.

Good Luck but you won't need it.

Chris

[sunrisemac]

oily bore and piston is good for first start up, it makes a good seal for compression, might smoke a bit but at least you'll know it's running

[Mal*1]

Buy good 2t oil, or it'll go horribly wrong.!

[rossclark]

Buy good 2t oil, or it'll go horribly wrong.!

There's a school of thought that you should use a decent mineral based two stroke oil for the first few tanks when you're running in a new barrel, before moving to more exotic semi or fully synthetic blends.

That said, in standard trim, these things were designed to be run on whatever was available. On a tuned bike you ought to pay attention to the oil quality.

[coaster]

Buy good 2t oil, or it'll go horribly wrong.!

There's a school of thought that you should use a decent mineral based two stroke oil for the first few tanks when you're running in a new barrel, before moving to more exotic semi or fully synthetic blends.

That said, in standard trim, these things were designed to be run on whatever was available. On a tuned bike you ought to pay attention to the oil quality.

+1

[911hillclimber]

Ok, because I was used to adding a squirt of 'RedX' in 68, the last time I ever used a 2 stroke, what do I ask for in the local bike shop in sunny Wolverhampton?

[CHRIS in MARGATE]

Deep disappointment ! Waited all day to see if it started. LOL

2T oil attracts so much snobbery and it's only my opinion but I think too many people spend too much money on high over-priced, over - engineered oil. 2T oil evokes so much emotive debate on all the forums. Any good semi synthetic based oil for "pre-mix" will do. "Castrol Scooting" won't harm your scooter or your pocket.

[911hillclimber]

Ah!
It will be a few weeks yet!
Got to get the big race car tip top for this weekend coming, but will have time next week, hence this question.
You will know when it fires as I will be load lye chuffed.
Fresh engine starts are the best.

[Chadley]

C'mon, nip out and get some oil and kick the thing over. The suspense is killing me...

[grandpa]

I agree the suspense is worse than Broadchurch. In the sixties Petroloil or ready mixed 2 stroke was dispensed by a hand operated pump so you never knew what oil was mixed with the petrol......happy days
Grandpa

[911hillclimber]

In the late 60's I just gave it a good squirt with whatever was in the Redex can on the forecourt, pumped in enough cheapest petrol to brim or what change I had in my pocket (not much) and gave it a good shake to help mix it.
Rode off in a trail of smoke...

Getting the oil and some Shell best brew tomorrow, check for leaks and switch on to see if there is any life in it!
Remember this is the coil that came with the scooter, possibly the 1964 one.

Tomorrow is my birthday, good laugh if it runs!

Anyway, just WHO was the engineer in Lambretta who designed (very loosely applied here) that coil mounting??

[911hillclimber]

Well, you will be pleased to know it runs (!)
Not very well, but it does.
(this is not an April Fools joke by the way )

Dropped a litre of fuel/oil mixed into the tank, just a drop in case there was a fuel leak. Seems nice and dry.
Turned switch to pos 3 but I guess first position is same for starting.

Fuel on, but the tank/carb pipe does not fill completely, but has a well of fuel, about 30mm deep then air up to the tap. I think this is not right and will not help me starting.
Choke on fully, throttle closed (so tempting to open it when starting), good shove on the kick start.

Took several kicks to get a firing stroke then nothing.
Opened the tick-over screw 1 turn from fully in (is that right?)
Added more fuel to give more head to the flow.

Repeated kicks gave nothing then one gave a short burst of running of about 3 secs.

Another few kicks and it fired smoothly, responded sharply to the twist grip ( ) and ticked over/blipped for about 15 secs and died, could be sparks or I suspect fuel as it died slowly.
During this run I closed the choke to 1/2 open and it started to die, came clean when I opened the choke fully.
How long do you need to keep it choked for?
There is no air filter in place yet.

With that excitement (and some satisfaction I might add) decided to close the toys in the garage and type this!

I can see some dirt in the tank/carb pipe, so first I will change the pipe and fit the small in-line filter I have to keep the carb clean.
I welcome any suggestions to get me to the bottom line asap.

Brilliant, it sounds so nice, seems to have good throttle response, and needs a few a few tweeks to try to get it right.

[CHRIS in MARGATE]

I have found from (painful) experience that most inline fuel filters cause major problems. They look simple and inoffensive in construction but they most definitely restrict fuel flow and starting is very difficult. I am sure others will echo this.

On a positive: sounds like it's nearly there.

Regards
Chris