AJS & Matchless Owners Club

If it were fuel starvation, it would start missing and loosing power more gradually than a seizure.

Rob C

I had this with a new standard jetted carb (260 main jet) - would nip up after about 50 miles after going up a hill - I solved it with 270MJ and going up a notch on the needle - she does not get hot and bothered now and runs cooler.

You chaps are very good !

I noticed the " whiring" noise more on the left side of the bike which as suggested points to the clutch slipping, i hadnt thought of that

There was no spluttering but a sudden loss of power but i will try shutting off the fuel to see what happens

I will whip out the plug tomorrow to see its condition, i quite like the idea of upping the size of the main jet if the plug looks remotely lean ( i also have a two stroke yamaha and err on the side of caution regarding lean versus rich mixtures)

There still seems to be loads of compression as I can still stand on the kick start without it moving.

Thanks for all your help, its helped me build up a picture of what might have happened

Hi
I've recently had a similar experience .
I went for a fuel problem and found the main jet had worked loose .
The carb was new and the bike has done about 450-500 miles with the new carb .
Serves me right I suppose for not checking the new carb out internally , but just fitting it and riding .

I was imagining your 'whirring noise' and it occurred to me that's the sort of noise you get from the carb when the engine cuts out whilst going along or when trying to bump start. If the carb is a bit worn it can be accompanied by a chattering from the carb slide..................
The intake noise can be surprisingly loud. On long trips I used to stuff an old tee shirt in the gap 'twixt seat nose and petrol tank with much relief from the noise.

You can pick up a cheap "endoscope" on E bay that connects to a smart phone. When mine nipped up a friend brought his round and we stuck it down the plug hole and it showed no damage. But I did find the primary chain had got very tight (G below middle C) so its worth looking at that.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from ... e&_sacat=0

I can recommend those endoscopes. I was given one as a Christmas gift and it's proved most useful. You need a smart phone to use it but it was excellent value for money.

Is this the lunar surface or the top of my AJ's piston?
Alan

Loads of sound advice. My two-hapeth would be to change oil, and check for any speckles of aluminium suspended in old oil (wiped from piston). good luck from bob.

Started it again today, no nasty noises or smoke,

Plug looks about the right colour , light brown

Took the valve cover off and plenty of oil up top

Drained the carburettor and no dirt in it, plenty of petrol flowing through the taps

I have recently changed the oil and it still looks clear

I am thinking about riding it very gently for a bit and seeing what happens

If i get an endoscope thing and see the slightest problem i will not be able to stop myself stripping it down

Thanks for all your advice it really is appreciated

Doesn't really sound like a seizure. Piston seizure is normally preceded by the engine feeling "unhappy" and "tight" and the barrel will be noticeably hotter than normal.
Fuel or ignition problems usually result in a misfire rather than sudden, total loss of power.

Did you replace the valves or valve guides, by any chance? If the exhaust valve stem nips up, the engine will suddenly lose power and coast to a stop with a peculiar "woofle" sound. Usually the valve cools off pretty quick and it will start again no problem...

Maybe check your top-end oiling and valve stem clearances. Easy fix (hopefully that's all it is!)