RICK’S FIXES
Rick’s Gold Star carburation isn’t giving him the needle any more – thanks to a new slide needle
CB’S shed-dwelling expert sorts your problems and dishes advice
I’ve had a breakthrough with the BSA Gold Star’s carburation thanks to a friend who had a word with a classic racing tuner who suggested fitting a 3GP6 slide needle.
Now my carb came fitted with one, but according to owner’s bible, the BMS Gold Star Book: ‘the 3GP6 needle is strictly for an open megaphone’, causing otherwise ‘an incurable flat spot at 4000rpm’. So I followed their advice and fitted a standard 3GP needle instead. After all, ace Goldie tuner Eddie Dow said the same in his Gold Starlets pamphlet. Or did he… reading it afresh, Eddie actually said: ‘some GPS are fitted with a weak 3GP6 needle. If (note IF) the carburation is unsatisfactory, particularly between 3500 and 4500rpm, it should be replaced with a standard 3GP needle.’
A 3GP6 looks like a nail – parallel for all its length with a taper on the very end. It would clearly help with ‘megaphonitis’, severe midrange richness, but isn’t that my problem, too? Thinking about it, my carb originally came off my uncle’s Goldie – why would he fit a needle you can’t use on the road? It was worth trying, but frustratingly, somehow my 3GP6 was now bent, dammit! I could straighten it with my Boley watchmaker’s lathe but that was missing all its collets bar one. Hang on, though – happy day! – it was the right size to grip the needle! Careful rotation and tapping trued it up and I fitted it.
Now it’s a different bike! Sweeter, quieter, starting well with good pick-up. It’ll need attention further up the range, but I’m delighted. It’s ironic, though, if I’ve been struggling all these years because some journalist misquoted an expert; quite a responsibility, this job!
‘A 3GP6 LOOKS LIKE A NAIL – PARALLEL FOR ALL ITS LENGTH WITH A TAPER ON THE END’