Thinking about a B40

[NClark]

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

I'm sure starting technique has been discussed on this forum. I had a procedure that would start the Victor Special from cold within three kicks most times.

Nigel

[NClark]

Here's a pic of my pesky Victor. It looked better than it rode!

Nigel

[limeyrob]

That is very nice, tempting......

[DAVE BRADY]

Hi,

Interesting re the weight of the B40 and B31.
I have had two B40s and found them to be light and with a shortish wheel base, great on twisty lanes.
I always thought they weighed about 295lbs, as per the Instruction manual, which is not much more than the C15 at 275lbs from which they are derived.
The swinging arm frame B31 share pretty much the same rolling chassis as the A7, A10, Goldstar etc.
The B31 engine is not going to be much lighter than the twins if at all so not much saving.

Dave.

[limeyrob]

A B31 feels very much like a A7/A10 except to the power. The riding position is identical.

[NClark]

A B31 feels very much like a A7/A10 except to the power. The riding position is identical.

Indeed. And aged 17, how I wished my B31 was an A10!

Nigel

[NClark]

So it's happened... Ebay showed me a nicely restored 1961 B40 just 30 miles from home. At the price when the auction finished, it would have been rude not to.

It's not been ridden much since restoration. A few test miles this afternoon show is all good but needs a little fettling, oiling cables, adjusting tickover, nothing major.

What it really needed is riding. I'm looking forward to that!

Nigel

[limeyrob]

That looks very nice, report back on how you get on with it.

[NClark]

That looks very nice, report back on how you get on with it.

Thank you, will do!

Earlier in this thread, we discussed the weight of a B40, and I found data online showing a wet weight of 364 lbs, only 20 lbs lighter than a B31. This didn't feel right, the B40 gives the impression of being significantly lighter than it's predecessor.

I've roughly weighed my B40 this afternoon, but putting the front wheel followed by the rear wheel on old digital bathroom scales and adding the readings. I get a total of 305-310 lbs wet. This makes much more sense to me, it's a bit heavier than a C15, but not much.

The moral of this little story? Don't believe everything quoted online!

Nigel

[JulianS]

The 1962 BSA factory data book gives the dry weight of the B40 as 295lbs.

[NClark]

The 1962 BSA factory data book gives the dry weight of the B40 as 295lbs.

Thanks Julian, that makes sense.

Nigel

[limeyrob]

I too have found bike weights on the web to be all over the place.  Even the old manuals seem to disagree. A good idea to weigh it and settle the issue. 

[DAVE BRADY]

Hi,

Apart from the incorrect weights given by internet searches the anomalies in handbooks etc.may be caused by wether dry or kerb weight is used. Add a tank of fuel and some oil and about 30lbs may be added to the dry weight.

Dave.

[NClark]

Hi,

Apart from the incorrect weights given by internet searches the anomalies in handbooks etc.may be caused by wether dry or kerb weight is used. Add a tank of fuel and some oil and about 30lbs may be added to the dry weight.

Dave.

That's true, of course. When I weighed my B40 yesterday it was semi wet! Oil tank was up to the mark but petrol very low.

Nigel

[NClark]

Here are a few more pics of my new acquisition. It has been extensively and no doubt expensively restored, but ridden very little.

After a session riding then fettling then riding again, I'm very pleased with it. It's cosmetically beautiful and mechanically sound. It merely needs minor stuff like adjusting and oiling control cables, tightening the rear chain, tightening the steering head.... Quite a few little jobs that turn it from a pretty and shiny bike to a proper riding machine.

To say I'm pleased is an understatement. Thank you for your advice here when I was merely thinking abiut a B40, this forum is a great resource and a welcoming place!

Nigel