This ain't no choke!

Brown Santa brought me a carb from Billy! I understand it to be the correct Solex for an F-head. I've got a bunch of ?'s about this thing. First thing I noticed is that there doesn't seem to be a butterfly style choke plate in it. Never seen a carb like this. It prolly needs a cleanup and new gaskets before I get it on, but what do I ask for at FLAPS? "I need a kit for a Billy-model-Solex-replacement-for-a-Carter-YF-for-an-F-head" isn't likely to amuse them or help me.... Then there would be some setup numbers like float level and tweaks..... Also got my FSM the day before, but this sure won't be covered!

Thanks for any advice!!

Stu

 

I have just got my first Solex and they are great carbs. A new one is not too much more than what an overhaul kit would cost. Might want to do some research. If you spend 35 plus shipping and stuff, you will be tearing the heck out of 50.00 Adn then you would not know if you had all the parts on it.

If you bought a new one, they are only 129.00 plus shipping. And you would not have to rebuild it. Just my 2 cents.

 

Thanks, John. That's a start!

Stu

P.S. Choke business really has me curious. I haven't learned anything all week, IIRC. I'm due!

 

Cliff, I agree; this started out to be a trial thing, since I was being pigheaded about giving up my YF. Billy was gracious enough to ship this one to me to prove that I could enjoy a no leak carb.....

 

Should be a choke in it, as I recall you can't see it like most carbs. The only thing I found I had to do on mine was to gently tighten up the screws holding the halves together. Other than that it was an easy switch.

Stan

 

The Solex has no "choke" in the usual sense. It has a " fuel enrichment circuit" built into the body. There is a connection point on the body for your choke cable. When actuated this will provide a richer mixture for initial starting. With mine,I pull out the choke, pump the pedal once and she'll fire right up. Slowly push in the "choke" as she warms up. Check out the 3B page, there's some good info there if you search their tech sect. as well as here. There is some disagreement as to whether or not you need to pump the pedal when starting. I do because mine will sit for extended periods and seems to need that extra shot. Saves on the starter too as I run a 6v starter on 12v. Spins it right over! HTH

 

Now, we're talking! I thought the absence of a butterfly might indicate some other way of increasing the richness of the air/fuel mix. Never saw this method and it didn't seem plausible, but guess it winds up the same, don't it?

Heh-heh. Learned something. This is good.

Many thanks to all for your patience!!

Stu