Hello everyone.
I am currently restoring a 1969 BSA Starfire 250cc and I have rebuilt the engine using a number of genuine BSA parts including some NOS crankcases. The NOS crankcases do not have an engine number stamped onto the left hand casing. Is it acceptable to transfer the number from the old and damaged crankcases to the NOS ones? I have the V5 and the old crankcases to prove authenticity.
Many thanks.
I probably would leave the cases blank but keep records of the old numbers.
Unless you can emboss the numbers exactly how BSA did it may look a pigs ear and any future buyer might think there is something to hide.
Obviously a future owner may wish to transfer the number but I would leave that decision to them.
Just my opinion.
The words Triggers Broom applies to a lot of bikes!
Hi,
I partly agree with Adrian. Consider though if something happens and you need to identify the engine as yours. With no number it would be very difficult as the engine number is part of the identifying data on the registration document. Perhaps if you decide to get the number put on the new cases take it somewhere and get it stamped properly.
For a future sale keep the old, presumably useless, cases to be sold with the bike.
Dave.
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.
I remember my next door business neighbour telling me ( he was an engineer specialising in Frazer NAsh cars), a friend of his sold part of a Nash that he didnt need as he was replacing the majority of parts while his restoration was off the road. the part had a serial number on and the new owner finished his build and registered his car and got the registration number associated with that serial number.
when the original owner finished and went to register the reg number DVLA told him it was not available, the other chap had it.
lesson there, maybe re stamp the same numbers on the new cases but keep the old ones and put a line through them. When bikes are scrapped due to bent frames, the head stocks (with numbers) are required to be sent back to Swansea to prove that number only exists once.
Quote from: Editor on 06 Jan, 2022, 15:19
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.
:) :) :) :)
I have read all the answers here as usual a stack of good advice and differing opinions. I am prompted to ask what is wrong with your old cases. If they are in a bad state cosmetically then I would simply remove the numbers and pass them on as such, or hide em, or skip em. If someone wishes to use them,fine as long as you don't make any misrepresentation. Personally I wouldn't go down that line
If they are damaged physically Skip em, unless you can conceive of future use.
As for your new ones---stamp em with your existing No and stay stum--No-one else's business. "They were like this when I bought em guv"
Mike 8) 8) 8) 8)
Thank you everyone for your advice and guidance.
It seems that the best course of action will be to keep the old and damaged crankcases with the bike. That will provide proof of identity and stop anyone else using them. To be honest, the old left hand casing that carries the engine number is likely to be unusable anyway due to the damage.
I will also store some hard copy photographs of both old and new crankcases with the V5 document. The V5 proves that the bike has matching frame and engine numbers for February 1969.
Just for info, the restoration is going well. The engine is back in the frame and the forks, mudguards and rear wheel are back on the bike. Electrics are next, with electronic ignition and solid state rectification for reliability.