Starting Up & c.
On taking delivery, fill the tanks with petrol and oil respectively. Take out the gearbox filling plug and the gearbox level plug (on 4 speed type only) which is screwed in to the front of the end cover behind the kick start bearing, and pour oil into the filling hole, until it is seen to run out through the level hole. With machine standing upright, allow surplus oil to drain out. When the flow ceases, replace the level plug. On three-speed models, fill gearbox until oil overflows from filler plug hole. Do not in any circumstances use grease or any form of gear oil in the gearbox. This is most important.
Next remove sparking plug and pour about a teaspoonful of oil into cylinder. (This is merely a precautionary measure in case engine has been standing some time and the oil has drained away). Turn on tap under tank ; flood carburetter by depressing button on float chamber. Check position of gear lever to make sure that it is in neutral position. Open throttle slightly and retard ignition. Close air strangler. Turn engine over a few times by depressing kick starter ; this will circulate oil that was poured into cylinder. If coil ignition type switch on ignition. The engine is now ready for starting. Give the starter a sharp push down. When the engine has started, advance the ignition. On machines with coil ignition, the lever should be pulled towards the rider to advance the ignition. If the machine is fitted with a magneto, the lever must be moved away from the rider to advance the timing. The strangler on the carburetter intake should now be opened one or two notches until the engine is warmed up, when it should be fully opened (lever down). Irregular running and heavy petrol consumption will result if the strangler is not opened when the engine is warmed up. It is not necessary to place machine on stand to start the engine if the rider is proficient.
Before pushing the machine off stand, check that gear is in neutral by depressing foot brake ; if back wheel is stationary and engine continues to run, the gears are in correct position. It is now safe to push the machine off stand and mount.
Having started the engine, raise the clutch lever on the left-hand side of the handlebar and depress the gear lever as far as it will go. If the gears do not engage at the first attempt do not force the lever, but drag the machine slightly backwards, which will alter the position of the gears and make engagement possible at once, or momentarily release the clutch again with the gear lever in neutral and then make another attempt. Having engaged low gear, release the clutch gently and at the same time slightly open the throttle, when the engine will take up the load gradually and the machine move away smoothly. Do not release the clutch lever suddenly as the drive is first taken up, as this may stall the engine. Speed up the machine by opening the throttle, and to change into second gear partly close the throttle, raise the clutch lever and raise gear lever with the foot to the limit of its travel and release it. Reengage the clutch by releasing the lever gradually. To change into third speed or top gear, repeat this process. When letting in the clutch after making a change of gear, open the throttle at the same time. To change to a lower gear disengage the clutch, but do not close the throttle, and firmly press down the foot gear change lever.
When changing gear, move the lever firmly and decisively to the full limit of its travel (either up or down). Never kick the lever.
Always make sure that the gear lever is free to return to its normal position. If waders are worn it may be necessary to adjust the lever to clear the foot properly.
The clutch should be used only for gear changing, for starting away from rest, and for bringing the machine to a standstill. It must not
be used to control the speed of the machine by slipping. Do not allow the engine to labour, but change down in good time, and for the first 500 miles at least do not run the engine for long periods at full throttle, but keep the maximum speed on top gear below thirty miles per hour. To stop, close the throttle, apply the brakes, and as the machine slows down withdraw the clutch. Put the gearlever into neutral and release the clutch immediately.
NOTE.—Always engage first speed and then move foot lever up to get neutral. Neutral must not be found from second speed as this leaves the centralising spring partly in tension.
To stop engine, close throttle completely and if coil ignition type switch off ignition.
It is important that the ignition be always switched off when the engine is stopped. Should the switch be left in the " on " position there is risk of running down the accumulator. (A red light indicator gives warning if the accumulator is actually discharging, or the ammeter will show discharge).