It seems, from the parts manual, that my 66 Spitfire should not have rigid footrests.
The bits seem to be mostly available to change them but I have not found them all in the UK, even used.
Does anybody know of anywhere that has the parts in stock within the UK, particularly the cranked arms the footrest pivots bolt to?
Hi,
They come up occasionally on Ebay, not cheap, I had a few incomplete sets which I made the missing parts up and put them on my 2 of bikes.
I believe you can machine off the footrest from the crank and use them. I will look through my spares tomorrow and see what is left over.
Best wishes...
I have done little other than do a quick search on partnumbers but actually that would probably work.
If the casting was hacksawed and filed then drilled it would probably work fine bolting in the pivots.
Need to make sure there is enough meat in the casting to do so as I sometime stand up on the rests to stretch my legs as I am over six feet and bikes are generally slightly small for me, would be a bit of a bummer if they broke off!
Hi Bruce,
I was in a similar position a few days ago when sorting the parts that are my A50CC.
Three footrests and brackets present all folding but missing (I think) the LHS riders footrest parts.
I read in an article on the Burton Bike Bits site about the BSA Wasp that said that folding riders' footrests were a requirement for the U.S. competition bikes so that might explain why there are more available over there.
I bought one on eBay and am waiting for it to arrive - but can't be sure it will be right until I see it.
I then found what looks like a RHS folding footrest in one of my boxes of bits so might end up with three in a few days time.
If I do and one is spare then I'll PM you to see if it could be of use.
Cheers,
Bernie
Hi Bruce - yes I read the same but I have not seen any Spitfires with them. However I decided I wanted to fit them and spotted just the hinged parts (new) on e bay for sale. I thought I could saw off my present footrest part where the rubber fits, thread the remains to accept the hinged brackets (with threaded stud) and fit modified rear footrests to finish. The rear footrests need shortening but that is no problem. I have got no further but before I start to alter I am going to make sure that my 66 Spitfire could have had rigid footrests first. I will sort through my mountain of receipts to find out who I had the brackets off and let you know.
John.
The footrest itself, plus the hinged parts are all available new in the UK. The only part I cannot find are the handed brackets that hold the footrests.
I have trawled through a few period magazines and it seems that UK spitfires were fitted with folding footrests, at least as far as I can make out from BW pics.
I am still replacing/repairing/correcting a number of issues on the bike so have not done anything concrete about this yet but am keeping an eye on ebay, missed most of the parts last night by a quid
Hi Bruce - as promised details of brackets. I bought them from Halcyon Days Classic Motorcycles via e bay. Listed as BSA A65 A50 B40 B44 B25 CYCLONE RIDERS FOOTREST COMPETITION ANCHOR BOLTS 65-4917 353306837532. Seller: indian trouble. £19.99.
They need a bit of filing to pivot the rear footrests.
John.
The only parts that don't seem to be available ate the actual footrest castings LH and RH. The actual footrests and the pivots can be sourced from multiple locations from the usual supplier, eg Draganfly have 65-4917 for £7.31 each and good stock levels.
I did bid on some secondhand parts on ebay last week but didn't win, once I have digested all the bits I have already ordered and still awaiting I'll start ordering footrest parts.
I think that if I can buy the pivots and rests themselves I may be able to modify the existing footrests to make the hard to get part, will have a look and as long as there is enough meat on the casting this should be possible
I have managed to get hold of every bit to build up folding footrests apart from the brackets 68-4808 and 68-4809.
I took of the non folding footrests tonight to see if I could cut on the fixed part, drill and use with the folders. There isn't as much metal at the lug end and once drilled there would be minimal lug left holding the footrest.
So, need to find the above brackets from somewhere, missed a set of ebay last week and no new ones I can see, anybody know where I can get hold of a set?
Bit more searching and I have located a pair of Brackets in Oz. £18 each used, £45 each NOS.
Bought a pair of used ones, total order including air shipping £66. Will probably get hit with around £25 in taxes when they arrive but the last pair I saw on ebay went for nearly £80 bidding against me and if it had not been sniped by the other bidder it may have been more.
At least in a few weeks I should have all the bits to refit the footrests to the bike as folders!