The spark plug issue is an interesting one. Originally, with the plug it came to me with it started and ran. There was issues with a leaking head gasket and eventually the automatic starter pooed itself. When I eventually got back around to having another go at it again it wouldn't start, grrr. Anyway, I went to the spares box and found a plug, any old plug, something from a much newer rotary mower. This plug had a much shorter thread length and thus protruded less distance into the cylinder, couldn't be a bad thing I thought, at least it wasn't going to be hitting the piston! Anyway, first pull and it started, woohoo! I've been told that reducing or increasing the spark distance can retard or advance the ignition, this information is well beyond the bounds of my knowledge or understanding, what it has left me wondering is, what is the correct spark plug? As it was working I didn't let it bother me one iota. As time has passed it now won't start again, who knows why, yet...
We'll get there, eventually.
Now to the point of this long ramble, apart from no doubt some people rolling their eyes and others going, yeah, I've had the same problems and others being mildly amused, what is the correct plug? Is it strictly trial and error? Are there data sheets that anybody has secreted away?
Also, the carby on my machine is a Villiers S12, is that likely to be standard or a retrofit? It appears to be different to the carbies I've seen in every other photo of a Royal Blade.
