Pre-65 Bikes

Hi, The story of my BSA/Burman. Built and ready for race in 1959, sold in 1960. no small- big end rebuild.. http://i633.photobucket.com/albums/uu54/pa...et/66010006.jpg Found and rebuilt 1987. Few changes but no small- big end rebuild..though, same sprockets ..19" replaced by 18". http://i633.photobucket.com/albums/uu54/pa...SA071024006.jpg Rebuild start up 2009 http://i633.photobucket.com/albums/uu54/pa...t/BSA071230.jpg Sprockets and chain 520->420, weight saving 2558g..B&C http://i633.photobucket.com/albums/uu54/pa...sprocket16t.jpg http://i633.photobucket.com/albums/uu54/pa...SA071230117.jpg http://i633.photobucket.com/albums/uu54/pa...SA071230118.jp…

I recently bought a BSA b40 trials bike "SS engine,distributer type it has Boyer electronic ignition fitted and came with a mk1 Amal carb which i think needs setting up proper, as it wont rev out and it backfires and spits the occasional flame, The plug shows heavy black deposits, I noticed tonight that the front pipe is going a bit purple colored. The carb has 622 with a 4 manually stamped over the last 2, making it 624, I measured the in and out at 24mm and the slide tube at 30mm, the float says 622 on it, the main jet is a 120, the needle jet is 106, the pilot jet is 25, the throttle slide is a 3 and has 622 stamped on, and the needle is on the middle groove.…

Hi All I'm going through the Villiers 37A motor on my Cheetah trials bike. I have a couple of queries : 1) There seems to be no gasket between the armature plate and the crankcase. I can't see one on the Villiers parts manual and repair manual either. There just was a smear of red hermatite gasket sealer on the mating halves when I took them apart. What is the correct way to re-assemble them? 2) There is a second coil in the left hand side of the armature plate which I presume is a lighting coil. The ignition coil is on the right hand side. Can someone please confirm this. 3) The gearbox and primary chaincase have oil filler and level indicator screws. Will SAE 30 oi…

I'm thinking of moving into the 21st century and getting electronic ignition on my C15. I've looked at the various options and I'm thinking that the crank driven type is what I'll be going for. I don't need a battery or lights so it seems the easiest and best option. I've identified three that look suitable, the PVL from SM, Electrex World and Rex Caunt. The PVL is at least one that I've heard of and looks and seems decent quality, I can only seem to find them at SM though. The Electrex World is a good deal cheaper but seems less trials oriented. The Rex Caunt also sounds ok and has the advantage of parts of the kit being available separately but it's more expensive. Al…

Hi Guys, Does anybody know any information on the following machine. BSA 441cc Victor ISDT machine. Registered No HOE 14D. I rode this factory machine in the 1966 ISDT in Sweeden. I would love to know of it's whereabouts, and what it is doing now. I have enquired of the DVLA but they inform me that as was not the registered owner of the machine BSA were, they can not tell me where the machine is now or who the registered owner is. Basicaly the machine was a 441 cc Victor scrambler. It was modified for the ISDT, one of the striking features was a large alloy fuel tank basicaly the same shape as the standard Victor one. I do have a photo of the machine but for some reason …

I continue to have problems with the Cub I built from all my spare parts for my Son to ride. It has a habit of leaking the contents of the Sammy Miller type top tube oil tank onto his shed floor!. The first time this happened I replaced the steel balls in the later type oil pump for a plastic ball and spring upgrade kit from UPB. But after sitting in his shed for a few months, it just did it again. I drained the remaining oil from the engine sump and got about 250 to 300 ml out. The total capacity is around 750 to 800 ml with the external oil filter and oil tank filled. I did notice the jubilee clip on the oil feed pipe to the bottom of the engine wa…

Hi people , anybody know info of a Sun Wasp trials bike please ....Many thanks

Now somebody very kindly sent me a wad of details they had compiled over the years about how to make a Bantam work well. Guess what? she who thinks she must be obeyed has been tidying up and i'll be damned if i can find it. As i'm also a bit divvy at the mo i cant remember the name of the kind man who sent it to me so i'm hoping he or somebody else could help ? Thanks oh i do feel stupid

What are the best light, with 'good' brakes, pre 65 hubs for 36 spoke, 21" and 18" rims please? I'd like to avoid the heavy BHC hubs.I'm refurbishing a 1964 DOT and would like to know what best to look for? Also, is a 21x1.4" front rim OK for a modern trials tyre or does it have to be 1.6"? Thanks for your help.

Restored by me last winter, pictures during the rebuild are in particular order ,The gear leaver was off at the time of taking the last pictures and the front brake cable needed connecting as well. Also found out the bike has a 1949 front tyre on it as well! Still got a few bits and bobs left to do to her. Before: After:

I've bought an alloy square barrel which is apparently off a Dot which is in god nick and on std piston size. The exhaust port is bridged but above the transfer ports both sides are three holes about 5mm in diameter. Dont know anything about the barrel but just wondering if anybody knew why they were there?

Hi Guy's. I have had the story from Ally Clift about the Original BSA "Otters" built down in the west country by the late Harry Foster. The story is now on the BSA Otter web site if you care yo look. www.bsaotter.com Ok. After reading the stories, I now think I should try and find an Harry Foster BSA "Otter" frame in any condition, so that I can build one of these bikes up for the web site, and for my collection. Do any of you know where there is a frame? There were 36 built, so there still could be a discarded one in someones garage? Let me know on my web site, if you have or find one, thanks. Regards Charlie.

Hi Numpty alert:!!!!!!! Just wondering what BSA Bantams are worth when modded. I know it depends on the level of mods and quality of the overal job but roughly speaking what are they worth? I am about to start building one but do not want to plough thousands into it for it only 900 quid ( i am new to the pre65's but wanting to get into it....ive seen them varying in price so not really sure?) Cheers

OK took the B40 for it's first run today up at Burrycliffe. Didnt enter as this was the first time the bike has actually moved under it's own power, well if you dont count 20 yds down the drive, and as of 10:00 last night i had just finished the airfilter. So had a little ride around before the trial, observed a section to help out, then had a little ride after. Actually i was quite surprised as it wasnt that bad all things considered, oil leak from the front fork seals also the rocker spindles and chain case but nothing some silicone wont cure. The chain did jump off once however and after talking to a couple of guys with Faber framed B40's they said the chain tens…

This was left to my wife after her Grandfather passed away. We believe he acquired the necessary parts and built it himself. It ran well and was all there but it was "used". It was his favourite bike. So I decided to show it some love. The frame and swing arm have been powder coated, forks have all new internals and have been polished. The wheels have been polished and the brakes over hauled. The rear shocks were fubar'd so a very similar pair have been used. Both yokes have been powder coated and new bearings installed. The build so far

A definitive eligibilty list for Pre 65 Scottish ? The entry form is open to interpretation ?

Should the chain case of my Cub be completely devoid of oil? The bike was to be put through the workshop before it was delivered to me so it should be right as far as oils are concerned but when I removed the chain case drain last night nothing came out. I then removed the side case and it was totally dry in there.... There is no gasket either so I assume this must be right but it seems odd to me. It has PVL ignition. I was a little bit alarmed to find that there was only 50ml of oil in the gearbox and have now changed that to 200cc of EP90. So far I have only run it around my drive for 20 minutes or so in total but I don't want to run it again until I know that eve…

I saw a couple of nice Bantams @ a trial on Sunday I think they were Drayton frames (not sure) didn't get a chance to speak to the riders after as it was p***ing down and everyone was in a hurry to get away. Tried to search for some info on them can't find anything. Does anyone know about them or have a link to info. Thanks in advance

Looking at rotating kickers for C15 or Cubs with the clevis pin type mount, everything I see is massive looking steel mounts. Would a similar massive aluminium (6061) mount be adequate? I suspect there is some reason I do not see them in aluminium. Thanks!!

Anyone out there know of any C15 trials specialists I can speak to as regards engine set up - camshaft specs in particular? I know there are several around who can build nice motors but I don't know who they are unfortunately. I'm a bit lost with Beezas as I have very little BSA knowledge (shamefull I guess as I am from the home of BSA...)