Hi chaps im restoring a ossa mar 1976 mk11 , ive aquired the correct amal 627 carb for it, but when fitted it will not flood on the tickler,the fuel flows ok and theres fuel in the float bowl but when the tickler's held down it just wont over flow so the bike wont start? also im tryng to save the original IDEAL fuel tap but the black rubber tube inside has perished? anyone got a spare or knows someone who has?

cheers Nick.

This happens sometimes and as long as the tickler plunger is depressing the float, there doesn't appear to be any logical reason why they won't flood. Normally, if you blow hard down the petrol tank breather pipe with the tickler held down you will get it to flood. If it is hard to start from cold once flooded try kicking it with the tickler held down too as this usually works - bit of a juggling act but it can be done. Just be ready for that Ossa kickstart to slip on the ratchet, which they can do, as if your juggling with the tickler and off balance they can give you a nasty wound up the inside of your calf if you're not wearing boots... That said from experience......

Can't help with the tap. Your only hope there is maybe one of the original dealers who may still have some old stock. Mick and Bill Wilkinson still have some Ossa stuff. Don't have their number but they own a garage called The Garage in Kettlewell N Yorks if you can find it from that. I use the modern replacements these days, readily available and neater looking.