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Messages - Csx355

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1
Bantam / Re: Bantam speed
« on: 13 August, 2020, 13:27:36 »
Quote
I'll probably need to back off a bit.

Just about to start my Bantam build and have to say that I love the idea of backing off a bit on a Bantam! Look forward to that.

2
Singles / Re: c15 SS80
« on: 10 July, 2020, 13:15:42 »
Definitely recommend RatioRebuilds from personal experience. A pleasure to deal with.

3
The Star and Garter / Re: Road speed in the 1950s
« on: 08 July, 2020, 13:44:05 »
Great topic that actually makes you realise how relevant our bikes are / can be in performance terms today. The last 12000 miles that I have covered commuting in a 200bhp Mercedes van on decent (Cornish) A and B roads has been at an average speed of 32mph.  Probably achievable on anything from a C15 upwards. I sold my RD250 last night to a chap who's current runabout was a 155 BHP Yamaha. Probably weighs the same as my van and not much better mpg!!

4
Singles / Re: bsa b40 engine rebuild
« on: 10 June, 2020, 19:47:48 »
I have a B40 that I sent to Rupert Ratio (Dave Smith) to build. His attention to detail is outstanding and my B40 feels super punchy and sm o o o t hhh. Well worth an email.

5
The Star and Garter / Re: lost parts
« on: 10 May, 2020, 07:45:48 »
:) :) :)
 I'm going to have to take someone to task over this.
Mike 8) 8) 8)

Now we get to the crux of it - it's a memory issue and for the life of me I  can't remember why I started this thread.

6
The Star and Garter / Re: lost parts
« on: 08 May, 2020, 17:54:48 »
They always end up under the fridge - everything does - and I don't even have a fridge in my garage because I drink real ale.

7
Singles / Re: 1967 wd B40
« on: 29 April, 2020, 19:25:50 »
Hi Paul. What carb have you fitted? Mono or Concentric. How long did it run well for minutes or miles? What made you fit a new carb in the first place, what was it running like before? Sorry for all the questions just helps to get a picture.

8
Hi all - I have spent a significant amount of time in my workshop bringing unfinished projects to a close recently - bloody marvellous. One of which was my 1960 B40SS. It came to me as two project bikes / spares / basket cases.  The B40 was the most complete but had at some time been fitted with a B44 motor (there is a clue here!).

The B40 motor was nestling in a C15 frame. So with time on my hands I began to sort things out. It was always going to be a nice little bike and although I had rebuilt my B44 motors I needed some engineering work done on the B40 that was beyond me. Anyway long story short this turned into a complete Rupert Ratio/ David Smith rebuild with the Motor landing on back my doorstep just as we go into full lockdown. I have to say Dave's attention to detail is impressive. I have high hopes for this bike and went all out on his recommedations - what a nice bloke.

With the motor back in the frame and running the last job (almost) was to fit the chain. Hang on! The motor was built to spec and has a gearbox sprocket to run a 428 chain. The rear wheel was using a QD Crinkle hub and a 520 sprocket a'la B44.

Bu99er!

I don't know if anyone else has tried to get a 428 chainring for a QD hub? Quick call to Dave Smith. 'Go custom made" he said.

Double Bu99er!

The only alternative was to strip down a healthy % of his work and fit a 520 gearbox sprocket. Nah not doing that. So a quick call to these guys - www.motorcycleraceparts.co.uk emailed them my specification - a follow up call to Dave to confirm that the Tooth size that I needed would work - The bike is a streety /  trail sort of beast - a confirmation call to Tom at motorcycle race and the freshly made chainring was on my doorstep in Cornwall THE NEXT DAY! No idea how they did but they did and  all at £55 plus postage. Brilliant.






All I need now is my new saddle, some transfers and to ride it.

9
Singles / Re: Oil to rockers
« on: 07 April, 2020, 07:45:36 »
On my B44 which I rebuilt, the oil feed to the rockers is taken from the return side of the oil pipe union on the bottom of the motor. I was advised that some back pressure on the return system side would benefit the feed to the rockers, so I fitted a spin on canister oil filter which does this and along with clear braided oil pipes. I can see the flow which is strong and steady. And very reassuring.

On my B40 motor - which has just been totally rebuilt by Rupert Ratio - oh yes :-) I have also fitted the same canister spin on oil filter unit however this will not affect the back pressure to the rockers as it is upstream of the rocker feed take off which is on the tank. So I prep/prime the line with my finger over the return spout outlet in the oil tank for a few seconds after starting. To be honest you can't do much more as the oil pressure is significant. Thanks Dave!

What is noticeable is that the oil line on the B44 always remains charged with oil whereas the B40 does drop back a bit so I'm guessing that the canister oil filters have a non-return valve in them. I know that the clear oil lines are not original and possibly not to everyones taste but they do give a very easy and instant check that there is oil (and fuel) where it needs to be.

10
The Star and Garter / Re: Crankcase repairs
« on: 26 March, 2020, 20:03:34 »
:) :) :)

I've got a drive side casing with a broken stud part of which is still in it. I shall have to carefully dig it out which will leave small but nasty hole.

Mike 8) 8) 8)

Hi Mike - I had an issue with a broken off stud - the one at the throat of the crank case where the barrel sleeve sits. The usual story, all the casing studs came out sweet as until the last one. 'That might need some heat' I thought just a second before leaning on it one more time with the inevitable result. Anyway I looked up spark eroding and then found an engineering shop local to me that had one. A few days later and they had not only cleanly removed the stud but had also saved the thread and made me a new stud. There are some clever people and is some funky kit out there. Well worth a look.

11
The Star and Garter / Re: Paint
« on: 19 March, 2020, 07:27:33 »
I have found that for quick and tidy results at home (please don't laugh) the Lidl's aerosols have been brilliant. They were called Baufix but might have just been re-branded. They are acrylic and I have found that two or three very light quick drying coats build up to a very hard glossy and resilient finish. Dead easy to use fast drying and incredibly good value. £3 wish a tin? I have used the gloss black - gloss white - Aluminium Zinc silver and Heat resistant Satin on various jobs.  If I were critical in any way they are a little too glossy. Ideal for bracketry and mounts but I have also sprayed a couple of mudguards with good results.

12
The Star and Garter / Re: Overalls for big blokes
« on: 13 March, 2020, 20:58:55 »
I'm not 6'4 but I am blessed with Dolly Partons chest.  This Xmas my wife bought me a couple of these  -

Castle Quilted Padded Boiler Suits from [url]https://hollandscountryclothing.co.uk/products/blue-castle-quilt-padded-boilersuit/url]  -

I have to say that they are stunningly good. They have kept me warm and toasty in the garage this winter. They are double zipped - top and bottom - which I like - through pockets, normal pockets and breast pockets and they wash up well and dry quickly. Plus I can get them on with shoes on although being Cornish I obviously only ever wear flip flops.  If I was picky they are a little long in the leg for me but they have poppered fold arounds.

13
The Star and Garter / Re: Facebook / Twitter
« on: 20 February, 2020, 00:21:54 »
Hey Dave - this is just the  opinion of a late 50's pushing 60's old fart that was fortunate enough to have embraced the web as it developed.

I like forums.

There is a discipline and .   .   .   permanence about forums and the thoughts that go into contributing into them. It's something that Facebroke, Twatter and Wincetagram never seem to be able to emulate. They come across to me as vacuous and shallow.  I use them but a well run forum always seems to hold the best of the subject matter. Facebook feels sort of lazy and temporary in the same way that the Grime that Stormzy passes off as music is compared to the rich tapestry that is Radiohead.

Just the thoughts of a grumpy old man!

14
Singles / Re: B40 primary question
« on: 17 February, 2020, 21:45:50 »
Check the alignment of the primary chain along it's length.  If for whatever reason either the clutch centre or the crank sprocket is not located fully or you have left out a spacer the chain will bind. It's not always obvious but easily done - ask me how I know?

15
The Star and Garter / Re: cotter pins
« on: 15 February, 2020, 07:26:28 »
Nice one Mike - always interested in homemade fixes. My issue with cotter pins are that they always seem to be fractionally undersize these days. I'm probably going to make my own now.

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