I recently bought an early XL185 which has no decompressor mechanism, just the lever on the head which lifts the valve. I'm not bothered about starting it as I'm used to starting a Velocette but I'm told that gearbox damage can result from not using the decompressor. I will fix up a manual lever on the handlebars with a cable running under the tank to the head. My question is can anyone who has done this conversion recommend a cable that will fit the lever in the head and be the right length. It will also need the right nipple on the handlebar end to fit an old Brit type lever. Any other issues which might arise from this idea?
