Spares for our old bikes

[Guyana]

Hi all, I'm finding it impossible to locate a set of points/contacts for my C15 SS80. I've tried every supplier, apparently they have been unavailable for at least a year. They blame Covid. So, does anyone have a new set they would like to sell to me? On a more general point, is this the way things are going now? When will there be a point in time when parts are simply not available and our beloved bikes will just become scrap metal? Horrible thought I know, but how to avoid it? Will we all go electric?

[Calum]

Everything can be remade. As I type this I am machining some brand new cylinder blocks for a pair of 100 year old locomotives... Needless to say we couldn't get them from Unipart!

It's just a matter of cost and what people are willing to pay. Remember too that most manufacturers and suppliers are profit making businesses so don't just do things for the good of keeping old machines going - this is where the clubs should be using their funds to invest in tooling, buy up existing stock etc etc.

I hope you find the bits you need!

[Spaceman]

Hi all, I'm finding it impossible to locate a set of points/contacts for my C15 SS80. I've tried every supplier, apparently they have been unavailable for at least a year. They blame Covid. So, does anyone have a new set they would like to sell to me? On a more general point, is this the way things are going now? When will there be a point in time when parts are simply not available and our beloved bikes will just become scrap metal? Horrible thought I know, but how to avoid it? Will we all go electric?

I'm in the US at the moment and brand new contact breaker points for BSA bikes seem to be readily available here. In the past, if I wasn't able to get a part in the UK, I ordered them from the US but, obviously, at a higher price. I was tempted to buy a couple of sets of points while I'm here (only $20) but, unfortunately, the internal delivery time is too long!

[chaz]

go electronic, probably more reliable and no adjusting needed.

[Richard Mills]

I agree with the above "go electronic" suggestion. However, if you really want to retain points (and there are some good reasons for doing so), has your search included The Distributer Doctor?

[Beesy]

Agree. Go electronic if you can. Fix it and forget it.

[Mike Farmer]

 

Go electronic. Doing so only becomes part of the machine's history. But it makes a lot of sense.

Tho in truth I am seriously considering going back to points on the rebuild that I'm just starting. But thats just a whim cos I have a lot of points bits in a box "somewhere".

Mike

[Durham]

54415803 side points
Google shows this is the part number and Lucas electricals has points for 13.95 for a c15 they have a catalogue with parts keep looking and search for your part number too get your exact match even if there after market you could still work from the part number
Try talking too Rupert ratio he's clued up or buy his books there costly might get second hand ones you learn loads about them old bikes if your in the UK there's a guy bantam spares from chester le street  he would have old stuff like that might have some other parts usually rusty though solid keep looking till you get what you want or need at the right prices you can keep the points plate and just replace the electrode element coiled part and maybe wire if it's worn anyways 13.95 at Lucas electrics for b15 c15 search for unit singles and pre unit singles other ones may fit too and maybe cheaper they have for 200cc and 250 and 175 150s some models share parts they said in book and different sizings yet some the same standard fits worth a look could save a couple quid

I have five gaskets for the side points will list some when get a minute 
The zener diode and coil model

[rhyatt]

I got points and condenser from the NMM sensible price too

[Bigsingle]

I don't know where I've seen it,  but you can get some tungsten I think,  and silver solder the new contacts on . Cheers

[ChrisG]

The biggest problem with points ignition is not the points or condenser but the advance and retard unit behind/under them. The springs stretch and the bob weight pivots wear. Lucas used to sell new springs when they were still alive and kicking.

[Alan wray]

Have you tried ebay for points. Going electronic sorts all the problems.

[V500]

It does, though on the proviso that points failing on the road can often be bodged/fixed/otherwise sorted to get you home, while dead EI means using Mr Samsung.

[Alan wray]

As for spare parts, iv been collecting a few good condition used parts and some NOS parts to go with the bike.

[rhyatt]

national motorcycle museum for my SS80 points and condenser recently good price and friendly service

I had considered converting the metal body of my old condenser by filling it with resin and encapsulating a 2BA screw inside it to hold the later style of points. enabling me to use a remote condenser of the later points