is it a secret that ive not been let in on?
twice now i have ordered things by part number only to find the theads are different to mine.
is it that most stuff is indian and they are taking the mickey or is it just something i dont know.
i have a '62 a65 and i order stuff supposedly by part number and its different. first was a screw in oil cap then it was a replacement for the top nut/cap as i have done away with the steering damper. neither fitted.
whats the secret?
Secret is not to buy anything that comes from India. As spares resources are increasing the quality of most spares is also diminishing. NOS parts isn't always the go to, often NOS could be parts that weren't in tolerance then got stuck in a parts bin for re-finishing. Often probably didn't. However it is now often one of the best resources for new spares. Often reconditioning old or having something made by a reputable company from a 1st world country is the way to do it.
Buy cheap... buy twice.
buy cheap get a refund from ebay. ive already worked out that india isnt the goto option.
my biking background is harleys. thers a wealth of stuff availible so long as you stay clear of the evo's or you're a merchant banker (yes i did mean that).
you can buy almost anything harley related and unless its really past its sell by date it'll fit.
.
sorting a bsa to someone new to the bikes is a quagmire. there doesnt seem to be a one fits all situation like harleys.
its hard work.... but enjoyable....ish.
funnily enough ive just had a speedo bezel come and it fitted sort of. after a bit of fettling and a hammer
I think earlier years were different threads to later models.
To meet the requirements of the American markets (export or die, never left the BSA psyche), they supplied bikes with UNF/UNC fasteners around the late sixties. Before then, most threads were BS Cycle Thread 26tpi. Although a few threads never got changed over.
I would get a thread gauge and check them out first. Alternatively, If the bolts and nuts need a BSF/BSW spanner rather than AF, then they are cycle thread.
Get all your fasteners from and old/established BSA stockist such as C&D Autos or Kidderminster Motorcycles as they have the knowledge of what your machine should be fitted with.
And never ever ever be tempted to fit some M*tric fasteners, not even mudguard screws.. ;)
ooops!!
Quote from: V500 on 25 Jun, 2024, 19:31
And never ever ever be tempted to fit some M*tric fasteners, not even mudguard screws.. ;)
Or those horrible pre-insulated crimp connectors!
The Ariel Arrow I rebuilt a few years ago was held together with guttering screws complete with square nuts. No excuse as the correct fasteners are widely available.
Cycle parts BSC, many cases used BSW other parts use BSF.
the difference being the BSC is a fine thread, thin parts needed more thread engagement.
BSW used for cases where a thin section/high tpi thread could strip easy, theory being more meat to sustain the tightening and vibration.
same applies to the later US spec ones UNC for cases, UNF for other parts.
A Zeus book is a good reference guide but you can enter a google search and the thread forms are explained.
problem with many suppliers, they offer M5 metric for 2BA and M6 for 1/4 BSW , neither are correct form, easier to get.
The other non advertised fact is modern steel stock is Metric, lengths of Imperial have to be special ordered= more money.
You often find the best fit for modern fastners is metric spanners as they wont pay for imperial bar.
case in case is the Ariel Square 4 final drive nut, sits in a cup washer. Imperial sockets drop into the cup, but metric bar made, metric sockets wont , resulting in short engagement and risk of slipping off when tightening.