Hello,
My first post!
I am stumped with my first steps on the rebuild of this lovely old bike: the suspension damper was missing along with star washers etc..
I now have the parts but cannot insert the damper because it is blocked by the bolt securing both of the star washers which goes through the frame.
Any advice would be appreciated.
First download the parts list from here: https://bsa-info.nz/parts-lists/#Various (ftp://bsa-info.nz/parts-lists/#Various)
You'll see that the steering damper rod is slotted at the bottom so you need to remove the bolt that secures the bottom fork links to the steering yoke and then insert the rod with the damper assembly. Then reinsert the fork link bolt.
Thanks David
I hope this follow on question can be solved just as easily!
Where oh where can you get hold of gaskets?
Please don't tell me they have to be made from 70 year old lino that has been matured in peat for 12 years.....although I'm learning that may well be the answer!
Fortunately? there aren't many gaskets on vintage BSA's. If you search the internet, you will find companies who can manufacture copper/asbestos head gaskets. Carburettor flange gaskets can be purchased from various suppliers. Gearbox gaskets can be had from Russell Motors. You will have to make your own cylinder base gasket. There was no timing cover gasket. Just use sealant. So overall I would suggest buying sheets of gasket material of different types and thickness and a set of hole punches. For cylinder base gaskets, I use the shiny red gasket material (don't know what it's called), as I find normal gasket paper too fragile and they leak.
If you make your own gearbox gaskets, be aware that the thickness affects endfloat.
I use Hardy & Hanson for making felt seals.
Steve.
Thanks Steve - appreciate the advice.
Any contacts for knee rubbers?
Jeff Hunter (The rubber man)
jeffalanhunter@aol.com
Ron
Brilliant!
Thanks Ron - what a superb resource this forum is!
My next cry for help!
I have two footrests from (I think) a WM20. Both are splined and fit nicely into the spacers. The securing bolt is in place but I simply cannot see how they fit - there is nothing for the small peg on the spacer to catch hold of.
Stumped.
On my M33 and M20 the small peg locates in small hole in the engine plates.
Quote from: Hot Frog on 22 Jun, 2023, 19:21
My next cry for help!
I have two footrests from (I think) a WM20. Both are splined and fit nicely into the spacers. The securing bolt is in place but I simply cannot see how they fit - there is nothing for the small peg on the spacer to catch hold of.
Stumped.
If I was you I'd get some proper footpegs as per the parts book - 15-8161 left hand and 15-8158 right hand (p.214) - I don't think these are anything like those for the M20. You do need the spacer 15-8161 for the right hand footrest - very easy to make. If you do carry on trying to fit the wrong parts you may find the riding position is all wrong and that the rear brake pedal is in the wrong place etc. My 1934 W9 was fitted with two 15-8167 and it just didn't work for the left hand so I made 15-8158. I still have the spare right hand if you want it.
Morning David,
I didn't realise they were the wrong parts until it was too late.....beginner's error
Could I take you up on your kind offer of the spare?
Can you PM me with payment details?
All the best,
Simon
The left hand footrest is 15-8158. There is a very wonderful fellow in the Czech Republic who sells on ebay. Joseph Cingros makes exact replicas and trades as joseph60.7771. He casts both footrests and the plate, but is not currently listing them. Might be worth contacting him?
I had a pair from him a while ago, but noticed that one was about 1/4" lower than the other when fitted. Seems odd, since he casts from originals. Can anyone throw any light on this?
Thanks Steve - I'll try him
I sent you a PM Simon about the footpeg. If you still want it let me know.
David
https://www.vintage-motorcycle.com/en/parts/bsa-vintage-1914-1939/bsa-blue-star-footrest-pair
Some footrests listed here. They have different part numbers to those suggested above, but not sure if they are the same.
Well, this is all getting a bit complicated, But I think I've finally worked it out.
Firstly, I have Joseph's footrests in front of me. They look identical to the ones British Austria are selling.
The right hand footrest 15-8167 (with the boss) is correct.
The left hand footrest he and Joseph are selling (15-8156) is not for a Blue Star, but fits other models. So they are not a pair.
The footrest you need is 15-8158, but I have never seen one for sale.
However, if you look in the Parts Book, they both look very similar, with the angle of the bend being different. I doubt this matters much.
But, as I mentioned in my previous post, when fitted, one is 1/4" lower than the other. I think you should be able to enlarge the slot in the footrest to get them to line up.
You will also need 15-8161 which is a simple thick tapered plate and fits between the frame and right hand footrest.
Finally, you need 15-5748 which is a slightly complex distance sleeve, which fits between the frame and the left hand footrest.
Confusingly, this is shown in the Frame and Fittings section of the Parts Book, but you should be able to work out what it looks like. I got mine from Joseph.
Hope this helps.