first trips?

[emilios]

Hi and happy new year for everyone...
I just finished my top engine rebuilt( new hi compression pistons,valves and guides) of my 1956 A10 plunger..and im very happy for that.
I read a few topics here and i learn that i must use hi octane petrol..here in Cyprus we have 95 and 98..so i will use 98..
My question is for the first rides...
How long must first rides be?? 20 miles trip is ok or too long? and in what speeds?
Thanks

[MG]

Hello emilios!

Congratulations to your successfully rebuilt engine and good luck with it!

I will describe what I usually do for running an engine in. I'm sure other people will have a different approach, this is one of the topics that is well suited to start a LOOOOOONG discussion.

Ok, now what I do is run the engine on a larger main jet (next size) for the first 1000-2000km, to give it better internal cooling by richer mixture at full load. Then I ride it solo on plain areas without going uphill. I open the throttle not more than half way and cruise around at about 80km/h maximum. Some times it is advisable to open the throttle a bit further, maybe three quarters, and accelerate a bit, in order to prevent glazing of the cylinder walls. This is only done for a few seconds, then I slow down again to about 60 km/h and let the engine cool down. So I always try to ride the bike at different speeds, accelerating from time to time, but always keep the loads and revs down for the first 1000km. Then I slowly start to raise loads and revs during the first 3000km. Then I consider it to be run in completely and able to cope with some serious riding 

HTH, Markus

[a10 gf]

Congrats for all your good work !

Some basic run-in info here: http://www.a7a10.net/BSA/manual54/im12-13.jpg
(from http://www.a7a10.net/BSA/instruction.htm )

[emilios]

Thanks guys...
So i know how to ride for the first 1500miles..
But what about the distance of first trip?

[MG]

It is not so important how long your first trip is. 20 miles definitely is okay. The engine oil should get warm, then you are alright.
If you have any concerns about your rebuild, you shouldn't drive further than you would like to push your bike back home  

My first trips usually were around 40-50 km, then I usually found several nuts and bolts that needed tightening.

[emilios]

Dont worry MG...this is a small country..

[emilios]

Well...bad news...
i start engine and left home for the first trip...
After 3 minutes i was back home again..
Engine was not running good...
Like it didnt had spark all the time...
I change plug(i had new ones on) again i checked HT leads...everything looked fine...but problem still there..
I put plug on engine block and kickstart engine...the one plug had spark ok..but the other one was a little starnge...
like it wasnt sparking all the time..i mean all the correct times..
Can a bad pick up cause this?

[RichardL]

Emilios,

Many possible problems, but first, take known good plug, wire and pickup and try them in the other magneto hole. This will rule out (or in) those easy fixes.

Richard L.

[emilios]

Thanks Richard..but the problem is that i dont have another magneto...

[MG]

Sorry to hear that, but such small problems are common after a rebuild. Once sorted, you will surely be alright!

Like Richard said, check HT-lead, pickup, spark plug and plug cover by exchanging. Also check kill switch and cable and the points.
I had a similar problem with the magneto on the A7. After I double- and triple-checked everything on the mag (with newly wound armature) and the HT-connections, it turned out to be a faulty slip ring (new repro part). It must have had an invisible crack where the spark jumped over and finally burnt a hole in the plastic (that made finding the fault easier)

[MG]

What Richard meant simply was to swap the pickups incl. the HT lead and plug. If the other side is misfiring, then you know the HT lead or pickup is faulty. If the problems occur at the same spark plug, it must be the magneto itself.

[emilios]

OK i will try that

[MG]

Oh yes, forgot to mention: If you have not done it already, change the spark gap to 0.5mm. The new plugs usually have 0.8mm, which is okay for coil igniton, but too much for a magneto.

[emilios]

I just try to swap pickups but i cant cause they are left one and rigth one and they cant get in hole..
But i changed leads and both seems the same...so it must be pickup or magneto.
Rigth?

[MG]

Right. If the same side is misfiring, it must either be the pickup or the mag. If you don't have another pickup, you could try this: When it's dark outside, start the bike and check the pickup for sparks arching through to the magneto body. You can also use an empty perfume bottle to spray a light mist of water on the pickup, then you will see sparks more easily. If you see any, it is very likely a crack in the pickup somewhere.
I assume you have checked the pickup brushes?