| Author | Message | ||
     Tripp |
my brother in law is looking to do a top end refresh on his bsa, this bike already has been switched over to electronic ignition. what's the way to go with a bike like this? he's thinking of boring one over, new valvetrain, new carbs, reliability is key. i told him i was sorry i did'nt get my heads done when i had my topend done, is that something he should be interested in doing or is it more to go wrong? everything is original some how (heads, pistons, cylinders). | ||
| Bomber |
I'd switch to a single Mike, if it was my scoot, and the frame allowed it (don't remember where that frame member sits) -- some conservative head work would be a good idea, I spose, and the new materials for valves and guides and such have come a long way since 1873 (grin) | ||
| Gentleman_jon |
Back in the day, these bikes seemed to have all the power they could handle, especially from the reliability, and handling point of view. In almost every case I can remember, redoing the top end with out redoing the bottom end, resulted in main bearing failure in very short order. I would stick with the Amal carbs if you can get them working, as these bikes have some collector value if they are restored to original condition. When new, they were not particularly reliable, so I would stick to upgrading parts quality, but not try to soup it up. Had lots of fun on English iron, just about the only fun bikes in the 50's and 60's. I was a Norton and Velocette man myself, but I did like bezzers, especially the Super Road Racket and the Gold Star. Best of luck with the project. | ||
| Tramp |
tell him to go with the Morgo top (750 or 850)....I'm trying to remember the name of the amazing limey firm who markets them..something like WRM in The UK... I'll get the exact name and get back to you. If reliability is what he wants, the solid-state ignition is a great start. a boyer-brandsen digital is swell, too. by far the most important thing he can do in terms of reliablility is to send the lowend out to that limey firm and have a crank-bearing installed on the crank-end which uses a bushing (!). Those things explode with random abandon. New Amals are the order of the day- don't ever try to use rebuilt used models, unless they've been sleeved by lund machining in..i think oregon. they have done great work for me in many of my past restorations. he can go cheap and send the heads to "Rask Cycle" in Penn. for nice cheap headwork. best parts suppliers are :Mitch Klempf, domiracer, british cycle supply (Can.)... The big-bore morgo top is the cat's keister. | ||
| Bomber |
does the name "super blend" ring a bell when discussing the crank bearings? | ||
| Newfie_buell |
Hey Tripp, Tramp tweaked a nerve inside my head, Look what I found British Cycle Supply I thought about picking up an old Brit Bike a few years ago and had these guys bookmarked. | ||
| Tramp |
Look- A Beezer lightning doesn't have crank "bearings"... It has a crank bearING on one end and a bushing (Egads!) on t'other.... please please please just run straight-weight organic in these old limey irons.... | ||
| Bomber |
sorry tramp -- didn't mean to short any circuits | ||
| Tripp |
do the cases have to be bored for the 750 kit? thanks for all the quick info fellas! | ||
| Newfie_buell |
Give British Cycle Supply a call? | ||
| Tripp |
no i have'nt, thank you for the link though, i will be passing all this good info to my bro in law however. he has a guy that works strictly on old brit bikes that's doing the work. all my biker buddies come to me with their questions, no matter what kind of bike it is. after all these years getting all kinda good info for my bike on badweb people ask me to post threads for their bikes too! and sure enough i usually get a ton of info. i've asked some off the wall stuff having nothing to do with bikes and 9 times out of 10 i'll get an answer. from auto repair to computer repair to electrical and even musical instruments, it's all here on badweb! thanks again guys! | ||
| Spiderman |
There is a company here in Michigan called British Only www.britishonly.com that will have a TON of stuff for Norton, Trumpet and BSA. Good luck and if you get stuck you can always try and contact Kenny Dreere. He used to restore British Iron way before he took over Norton USA. | ||
| Tramp |
ARGh... "British Only" Couldn't remember their name (haven't wrenched on old limey iron in 9 years)- their prices p*ss all over everyone else's ..VERY low pricing |
