Thinking about a B40

[NClark]

Hello Everyone!

I've just joined this forum because I'm considering buying a B40, and need a bit of advice.

Let's get the hard bit done first... I'm a big fan of Triumph twins. I hope this admission doesn't result in me being cast into outer darkness!

However, I would really like to try a typical light/middle weight British single from the sixties, and the idea of a B40 appeals, as it's seemingly a fairly light machine with adequate power.

'Adequate for what?' you may ask. I would be planning to use it mainly for country lane and B road pottering, probably on local bike club ride outs where we seldom exceed 50-60mph. Brief dual carriageway excursions may be necessary, where I would need to be able to cruise at 60mph for 10 minutes or so, simply to keep up with the trucks and avoid being pushed along by said juggernauts.

I don't imagine a 250 would have the performance for this type of use, hence the 350cc B40 appears a better bet, with the added bonus that prices of these machines seem quite reasonable.

So my question is 'will a B40 have the performance and capability I'm looking for?' Or am I barking up the wrong tree?

Thank you in advance for your insights and experience.

Nigel

[limeyrob]

Not a bad plan. At the risk of offending some, I had a B40 many years ago and was glad to see the back of it, but the cycle parts are tough and it has a reasonable amount of power.
B40s come in various varieties - standard, SS90 tuned (mine was an SS90 and the thought of 90 on it is terrifying) and quite a lot of ex MOB ones with some different cycle parts and every colour so long as its NATO green.
I think the ex MOD ones are a good buy, they are often quite low mileage and sat around in warehouses then got sold off and sat around in sheds.
Personally I would not recommend the SS90, mine had the feel of a bike that would have been much nicer with less  compression and softer cams.
Now I'm going to commit heresy as a lifetime BSA owner - take a look at the Matchless G3 / AJS 16, a lot of bike for your money.  Very similar in performance and build to the B31 but about 60% the cost.

[DAVE BRADY]

Hi,

A B40 will meet your needs. Once sorted they are reliable and because of the short wheelbase are ideal for country lane and A/B road twisties.  Standard compression is about 6.5:1 so really quite a soft engine that can be bit nippy if given its head.

Dave.

[NClark]

Thank you gents, that's encouraging advice. I'm not looking for the peaky performance of a highly tuned/stressed engine like the SS90, and would prefer the gentler power delivery which the basic, low compression B40 appears to offer.

I'll let you know how my search goes. My ideal bike would be basically sound, but with a bit of potential to improve while still riding, a kind of rolling improvement project.

Nigel

[V500]

I had one, a 1961 B40 (404 KYD, where are you now?) and like the post above, I too was glad to see the back of it.
I would recommend an earlier B31 if you want a BSA350. Better in every respect.

[limeyrob]

Yes, whereas I sold the B40 after a few months I kept my B31 for about 25 years!  The B31 is a lot heavier and old fashioned but its smoother, more comfortable and has a magneto which I personally prefer for bikes used occasionally

[NClark]

Yes, whereas I sold the B40 after a few months I kept my B31 for about 25 years!  The B31 is a lot heavier and old fashioned but its smoother, more comfortable and has a magneto which I personally prefer for bikes used occasionally

I had a B31 back in the 1970s. Certainly a nice bike, but a bit heavier than I want now.

Nigel

[V500]

Wouldn't think the B31 is noticeaebly or appreciably heavier though.

[NClark]

Wouldn't think the B31 is noticeaebly or appreciably heavier though.

Food for thought, thank you. I just compared specications and the B40 is only 20lb lighter. Perhaps I should revisit my teens and get a B31!

Nigel

[V500]

More readily available in a far wider range of choice, better made and (probably) greater spares availability.
The WD B40 was a good bike, but as for the earlier Civvie B40s....just think C15, but more so..

[limeyrob]

"..just think C15, but more so".  Yes, many mates had C15s and when a B40 came up I thought it would be like a faster, better C15, and in a way it was, but it also had the C15 faults only more so.
I don't know about your budget, but a lot of Victor Specials seem to have arrived from the States recently and they do look fun.

[NClark]

I had a 1969 Victor Special briefly a few years ago. It looked like fun, and on a good day it could indeed be a fun ride. I eventually became tired of its unreliability.

To be fair, it turned out to have been poorly restored, and perhaps a good one would have offered more fun and less frustration. I sold it at a loss and moved on.

Nigel

[limeyrob]

Sorry to hear that, but you may have just saved me making the same mistake!

[V500]

It seems to be everyone's immediate thought re those bigger BSA singles..."will it start?"

[NClark]

Sorry to hear that, but you may have just saved me making the same mistake!

I don't believe all 441 Victors are bad. The one I bought was cosmetically good but a mechanical nightmare. Stuff would fail as fast as I could fix it,and I grew tired of fixing it when I could simply jump on my Triumph TR6R 650 and ride with no hassle.

Is just my experience of one particular bike, and I don't want to put you off.

Nigel