The BSA A7-A10 Forum

Technical (Descriptive Topic Titles - Stay on Topic) => Gearbox, Clutch, Primary => Topic started by: Sam C on 16.08. 2016 19:00

Title: Maybe time for electric start - views?
Post by: Sam C on 16.08. 2016 19:00
Chaps

I managed to fracture my pelvis, dislocate my leg and generally tear up the ligaments in my knee ten days ago. And yes, it's all in my right leg!

I'm on the mend, but it's going to take a while to get to full strength and my knee in particular may never actually be 'right' again.

I'm stuck in hospital (and been on a steady dose of morphine for ten days) so I've been thinking a lot, but not particularly clearly, about what (if anything) to do with my bikes.

For the A10 my question is: is there a good, reversible electric start option and does it necessitate a 12v conversion?

My bike is in pretty good condition (not concourse but close) and I don't really want to do anything 'permanent' to it, not least because I may heal better than I fear.

What's everyone's thoughts?

Oh: I slipped and fell off a bricked 15ft railway embankment onto an uneven surface while out walking with friends, for those that want to know how this happened.

Cheers

Sam
Title: Re: Maybe time for electric start - views?
Post by: a101960 on 16.08. 2016 19:11
Sam,
There certainly is an electric starter for A10s and the beauty of it is that when fitted it still retains the kick start facility. Read all about it here: http://www.startyourbsa.com/ Apart from the starter button on the handle bar it is almost impossible to detect unless you know what to look for and where to look. You can see footage of it in action here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UuvKy9l75u4 Not cheap though, but very well executed.
John
Title: Re: Maybe time for electric start - views?
Post by: Greybeard on 16.08. 2016 19:25
I managed to fracture my pelvis, dislocate my leg and generally tear up the ligaments in my knee ten days ago. And yes, it's all in my right leg!
Bugger; sorry to hear that! Get better soon.  *smile*
Title: Re: Maybe time for electric start - views?
Post by: RichardL on 16.08. 2016 20:59
Sam,

I guess you'll find out about reversibility by talking to Steve McFarland. I'm stayin' out of that. I just want to say, BUMMER! Sorry about the pain. I'm in the US, but I can recall those brick embankments from many train rides in and around London.

Richard
Title: Re: Maybe time for electric start - views?
Post by: bsa-bill on 16.08. 2016 21:47
Hope your recovery goes well Sam, good stuff that Morphine, got a spare bottle in the medicine chest (Oramorph)  I think it will be well past the BBF date though
Title: Re: Maybe time for electric start - views?
Post by: morris on 16.08. 2016 22:00
That's a nasty one Sam. *eek*
Get well soon!
Title: Re: Maybe time for electric start - views?
Post by: mikeb on 17.08. 2016 01:53
bad luck Sam - makes motorbikes sound safe.
i don't know about electric starts so will follow this thread.
i'm a 6v fan but would well rather a 12v system than no bsa to ride. converting to 12v (dvr2, belt-kit, battery, bulbs - don't rewind the e3l) is easy. go LEDs if you are worried about going flat.
best of luck with the recovery...
Title: Re: Maybe time for electric start - views?
Post by: Joolstacho on 17.08. 2016 04:40
Goes to show, walking is dangerous to your health.
Title: Re: Maybe time for electric start - views?
Post by: Rocket Racer on 17.08. 2016 06:22
I dont know much about the electric starts other than the one pictured in the link shows an alternator drive side case, but would suggest irrespective of voltage a Lithium Ion battery would be the go to support reliable starting.
I fitted a small one to my rocket 3 when it was still a kick start bike and was then promptly given a T160 starter. The LI-ion battery happily cranked over the triple and copes well with sitting.
It hasnt prevented the starter solenoid from recently jamming engaged though  *problem*

Fitting the electric leg to the triple was quite a revelation. you just push a button and the band starts! 
Keep us posted with details but if I were you I'd be fitting an electric leg  *wink2*
Title: Re: Maybe time for electric start - views?
Post by: kiwipom on 17.08. 2016 11:42
hi guys, I've looked into electric start for A10s but there is not one made for a belt drive primary, when they come up with one I will get one,cheers
Title: Re: Maybe time for electric start - views?
Post by: muskrat on 17.08. 2016 12:53
That sounds pretty painful Sam but don't overdo the morph. Speedy recovery.
With a belt upgrade for the dynamo and an electronic reg in the toolbox you'll be the only one that knows.
I like kiwipom would need (hope that's a long way off but probably just around the corner) one for a belt primary on the cafe. The 51 A7 starts just by looking at the lever.
Cheers
Title: Re: Maybe time for electric start - views?
Post by: Sam C on 17.08. 2016 14:04
Thanks for the replies / good wishes - appreciated.

I'm going to take the attitude that i'll cross bridges when i come to them. It'll be six months of physio / additional ops before i know for sure how strong my leg is. And on reflection, doing any serioys work on my bike during that time won't be easy.

So i will postpone this decision and concentrate on getting my legs like arnie's!

Bike was starting well before all this so i'll just store it and come back to it in six months.

Will invest in a good bike lift in the mean time and about 12 tubes of autosol. My bike is going to be the most beutiful it's ever been cone March!
Title: Re: Maybe time for electric start - views?
Post by: a101960 on 17.08. 2016 14:18
Quote
in the mean time and about 12 tubes of autosol
Sam even better is this stuff. Available from Halfords amongst many other places.(http://)
Title: Re: Maybe time for electric start - views?
Post by: bsa-bill on 17.08. 2016 21:10
Quote
Sam even better is this stuff. Available from Halfords amongst many other places.

I'll agree with you on that a101960, pricey but even my 50% Scots  blood will give way for it
Title: Re: Maybe time for electric start - views?
Post by: metalflake11 on 17.08. 2016 21:12
Yup!....That Metal Polysh is good stuff.
Title: Re: Maybe time for electric start - views?
Post by: edboy on 17.08. 2016 22:35
sorry to hear of your accident sam but time is the great healer. i had a total right knee replacement a year ago and kick start my bsa s without a second thought. its all done with muscle not the bone so physio is the key. by the way , the modern morphine wasnt what it was cracked up to be. i couldnt wait to be rid of it and all the other painkillers.
Title: Re: Maybe time for electric start - views?
Post by: mikeb on 18.08. 2016 04:51
Quote
I'm going to take the attitude that i'll cross bridges when i come to them ....
...  so i'll just store it and come back to it in six months.
the thing is its only a matter of time before most of us either get an electric leg or give up the a10s. so its more a matter of when and how much $$$ - i'd have one in an instant if they were easier/cheaper, and i'm sure I'm only 25y/o at heart.
it would be great to hear some stories about how these electric starts work out
Title: Re: Maybe time for electric start - views?
Post by: Joolstacho on 18.08. 2016 05:09
So right Mike. The cost factor is the thing.
I just sold a very good CX500 Eurosport ('lectric leg') to buy a T140 Bonnie (needs a real leg!). MADNESS you'd reckon, me with a stuffed back, a new heart valve, emphysema and half of one lung left! ...

What? Why would I do that? Well the Bonnie will be almost as quick as the CX (yes), but it weighs much less, AND, it's got 'soul', AND it makes a noise that's a real jack-up.
I've got it semi-sorted, so it's a first kick starter. Maybe... just maybe, it could be an 'everyday user' Brit vertical twin. I'm hoping.

I just can't see my dear SR with it's oil leaks (sep G/B) and ***-weak dynamo being the whole deal. An electric starter (along with attendant upgrades) would get it a whole lot closer, but at a big price, and you're still left with, well a machine that, whilst I love it, just wouldn't cut it for everyday use.
Title: Re: Maybe time for electric start - views?
Post by: ellis on 18.08. 2016 18:19
Nothing else puts a shine on Alloy better than Meguiar's. Maybe expensive but I'm still on my first tub after 2 years of polishing my A10.   *smiley4* 
Title: Re: Maybe time for electric start - views?
Post by: muskrat on 18.08. 2016 20:14
Nothing else puts a shine on Alloy better than Meguiar's. Maybe expensive but I'm still on my first tub after 2 years of polishing my A10.   *smiley4*

Crikey a tub would last me forever. It gets polished once a year whether it needs it or not. *sarcastic*
Cheers