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Which BSA do you ride? / Re: Bsa b31 history
« on: 12 January, 2022, 18:33:22 »
Are there any family photos with the bike, perhaps just in the background when photos were taken in the garden? You might be able to get a reg. number.
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2
Singles / Re: Impact screwdriver
« on: 08 January, 2022, 16:54:35 »
I use JIS screwdrivers made by the Japanese firm Vessel. I have eight of them, all JIS cross heads in sizes from 000 to 3. I can undo chewed up screws on Japanese bikes with these, and they are great with Phillips screws, too. The Megadora range have blue handles and are simply screwdrivers; I have five of them. I have a couple from the Woody range that have handles made from resin and wood; you can still grip them if your hands are oily. I also have one from the Impacta range. Screwdrivers in this range are actually made for being hit on the handle end with a hammer; there's a cam inside that rotates the bit a few degrees anti clockwise.
Vessel also make an impact driver, but I couldn't find it available new from anyone in the UK.
Vessel also make an impact driver, but I couldn't find it available new from anyone in the UK.
3
Singles / Re: NOS replacement crankcases.
« on: 07 January, 2022, 12:24:57 »I agree with Dave, and I would stamp the new crankcases and keep the old ones for reference, plus take numerous photos of the old one next to the new one with both sets of numbers clearly shown.
Don't just store the photos on your computer or phone; make a couple of prints from each photo and keep one set with the log book. Electronic memories have been known to fail then all is lost; that's why I have a duplicate back up drive. But prints can be viewed well enough even when damaged.
4
Singles / Re: shiny armoured oil pipes
« on: 15 December, 2021, 20:44:26 »
Dunno how much you know about electricity, but if you also have the same 6.5 volts at the battery or fractionally more, then yes, it's the battery. If there's 12 volts or so across the battery with the ignition off, which drops to about 6.5 volts with the ignition on, again it's the battery.
If there's 6.5 volts at the coil with the ignition on and 12 at the battery, there's at least one very bad connection somewhere between the battery and the feed side of the coil.
These are all measured with the points closed.
If there's 6.5 volts at the coil with the ignition on and 12 at the battery, there's at least one very bad connection somewhere between the battery and the feed side of the coil.
These are all measured with the points closed.
5
Twins / Re: Rear Shocks
« on: 08 December, 2021, 16:50:15 »
The previous shocks were knackered, so I did detect an improvement! While that bike, a Yamaha XJ750, has been off the road for the last 20 months, I've just found a photo of the bike from January 2010 with those same Hagon shocks; they do last well. I've been quite happy with them all that time.
6
Twins / Re: Rear Shocks
« on: 01 December, 2021, 21:41:40 »
With the built in preload lever and the nut at the top end, these look like MZ shocks. With a pair of these, one preload lever will have an "L" on top, the other an "R". They are probably rebuildable (I can't remember for sure) but if that's what they are, they are made for a light bike; about 292 lbs for the 250cc Supa 5. These shocks are probably fine on the original bike, though the preload was famously a choice between "too hard" and "much too hard". 
Going back to the original question, I've had the same pair of Hagons on one of my bikes for quite a few years with no problems, solo or with lots of luggage.
Going back to the original question, I've had the same pair of Hagons on one of my bikes for quite a few years with no problems, solo or with lots of luggage.
8
Singles / Re: B31 timing case breather
« on: 30 November, 2021, 16:23:09 »
Is this the sort of breather that fits into the timing cover? If so, there's a hole in the metal pipe from it that protrudes into the timing chest. The hole should point at the face of the timing cover from the inside; that is, to the right when the timing cover is on the bike. If not, you'll have to try some different thicknesses of washers under the breather, until the hole points in the right direction.
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Bantam / Re: Ignition Light
« on: 30 November, 2021, 13:15:07 »
Not quite sure what you are asking. But if you want to know when electricity is going to the coil, then connect the light to one of the terminals at either end of the wire between the ignition switch and the coil; whichever is most convenient.
Don't break into the wire; use some sort of piggyback connector at the switch or coil, if that's what's needed. Using such a connector makes later maintenance easier, as you can separate the wires. The other side of the light just gets wired to earth.
Don't break into the wire; use some sort of piggyback connector at the switch or coil, if that's what's needed. Using such a connector makes later maintenance easier, as you can separate the wires. The other side of the light just gets wired to earth.
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Singles / Re: C11G - Two stuck bolts
« on: 12 November, 2021, 13:39:55 »
When the bolt begins to move, apply penetrating oil then tap it back in again. This is better than trying to drift it only in one direction. As you drift it back and forth, apply penetrating oil to any newly revealed bit of bolt or hole. I did this successfully a couple of months ago, also getting it nice and hot with a blowtorch then drifting it right away, before everything cooled off.
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Singles / Re: M21 rear sprocket change
« on: 22 October, 2021, 20:19:34 »
Do you mean (looking at your first post) your M21 is on sidecar gearing?
It's better to change the engine sprocket because if you put a different size sprocket on the rear chain, it will make the speedo less accurate. Changing the engine sprocket might mean you need a longer primary chain, though.
It's better to change the engine sprocket because if you put a different size sprocket on the rear chain, it will make the speedo less accurate. Changing the engine sprocket might mean you need a longer primary chain, though.
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Singles / Re: Lucas E3LM - Advanced or retard question
« on: 19 October, 2021, 16:56:13 »
When you pull the cable it is advancing the timing. Your cable comes out of the magneto on the right, but on mine (also an M33) it comes out from the left; pulling the cable retards the ignition. I also start with the lever pulled 50% round; like you I'm starting half retarded.
When warm, my bike runs better with the cable slack, and yours should (and does) run better with it tight.
When warm, my bike runs better with the cable slack, and yours should (and does) run better with it tight.
13
Which BSA do you ride? / Re: 2x A10 -another newbie
« on: 07 October, 2021, 20:45:28 »
Hello Kawa
I agree with Idie and Dave. I just turned up at my local meeting in Northants and they were friendly and welcoming. We don't just talk about fixing BSAs, but when we do, the info is solid gold. I've had a great deal of help from the forum too, in the two years I've had my BSA. Like you I knew nothing but Jap bikes, and the world of 1950s engineering is certainly a bit different from them.
Roger
I agree with Idie and Dave. I just turned up at my local meeting in Northants and they were friendly and welcoming. We don't just talk about fixing BSAs, but when we do, the info is solid gold. I've had a great deal of help from the forum too, in the two years I've had my BSA. Like you I knew nothing but Jap bikes, and the world of 1950s engineering is certainly a bit different from them.
Roger
14
Singles / Re: Stuborn Primary Cover Removal
« on: 01 October, 2021, 10:03:10 »Rog1
Would you consider selling me one of your clutch centres. They seem to be harder to find than rocking horse s**t at the moment.
T.I.A
750rideruk
I may have a solution for you. This is a thread I started some time ago, and I've just posted my conclusions:
https://www.bsaownersclub.co.uk/bsaoc_forum/index.php?topic=12461.0
15
Singles / Re: M33 shock absorber
« on: 01 October, 2021, 09:56:23 »
All sorted; my M33 is back on the road. This is related to my clutch problems and I've detailed what I did in another thread. Thanks all. The link to it is in my first post here, or you can click here instead:
https://www.bsaownersclub.co.uk/bsaoc_forum/index.php?topic=12461.0
https://www.bsaownersclub.co.uk/bsaoc_forum/index.php?topic=12461.0