Felt washers, swinging arm (500) and carbs.

[Oddjob]

Still making these if anyone wants any.

[Oddjob]

Some news on making the choke mechanism felt washers.

After speaking with a felt manufacturer today I have finally sourced some really dense felt. I've managed to source some 3mm felt in a firm texture and some 2mm in a medium texture. I'll see which is best and will try and make some and see how they come out.

I did notice that the 500/550 carbs whilst not appearing to have these seals on the choke mechanism actually do, they are hidden in the carb body and are almost certainly left in place when you ultra sonic clean the carbs, what that does to them is anyone's guess. I'm trying to remember if they are only fitted on one end of the shaft opening or if there are actually 2 of them to seal each end. If so that would mean you'd need 7 as No4 carb is capped off at the end.

I'll let you all know the result when the felt arrives in a couple of days.

[AshimotoK0]

Put me down for a pair of 500 swing arm felt washers please Ken.

[Oddjob]

Probably make those out of the 3mm felt Ash.

I told the manufacturers what I was currently using and they described that as Fuzzy Felt washers, made me laugh. I remember that very well.

[Oddjob]

The felt finally arrived. Had a go at making some choke shaft washers. I made some in 3mm extra firm and that was a no go, 3mm is too thick for that location. When the brass insert tries to go back in the washer won't allow it and pushes it back out again. 2mm medium is fine however. The extra firmness of this felt means they stay together much better than my previous felt, the shaft goes back inside the carb body without pulling them to pieces as well.

This was tested on a carb body off a 500/550. I wasn't aware that there was even a felt washer on the shaft until recently, they don't exactly stand out.

Here's what they look like against the newly made ones, although the new one seems a bit bigger this is because the old one has been compressed.



And in situ, excuse my bad attempt at labelling, No.1 is the retaining bush and No.2 is the old felt in place.



So to get to them I used a small pick and just prised out the retaining bush. Which looks like this when removed.



Bush removed, old felt washer picked out and new one inserted. Not exactly a great pic I'm afraid.



At this point I'd advise oiling the washer with some silicon oil. Just refit the brass retainer ring and knock it back into place.



And that's it. I'd advise turning the choke shaft as it's refitted to try and avoid dragging at the new felt.

There are 7 felt washers fitted to a bank of carbs, No4 carb only has one fitted due to it being blanked off at the end.

[Laverda Dave]

They look good Ken. I'll ask the inevitable question.....are you going to make them for the 400? I've got a set of your choke spindle felts ready to fit when I overhaul the carbs.

[Oddjob]

AFAIK Dave they are the same for the 350/400/500/550 carbs

[Johnny4428]

Nice one Ken! Id be up for a set when production is up and running.

[Laverda Dave]

I will also have a set please Ken when they go into full production 👍

[Oddjob]

I have 3 full sets of 7 ready made. You want to be test pilots?

I'll pop them in the post Johnny and Dave if you post your findings on them on here. If they are fit for use then I'll start to sell them.

Got Daves address but not yours Johnny, send me a PM with it if you want a set.

[Johnny4428]

I’ll PM Ken.