Recent Posts

1

Introductions, Stories, Meetings & Pictures / Re: What have you done with your bike/s today?

« Last post by RDfella on Today at 11:29 »

As Chaterlea says - sadly am way behind with the latest one. Had a lot of things going on recently, plus delays because at 78 I'm getting past getting this type of bike on / off the lift and the rollers alone so, when I'm checking something, every time means a delay waiting for my son to assist. And now designing / creating a starter makes for further delay. Disappointing, but that's life.
Will try a photo of current state of play soon. Adding to John's message, my first vee used modified B31 heads and barrels, but the 60deg and latest have my own cylinders. Designing / making cylinder heads (why re-invent the wheel?) would seriously delay things further, so the 60deg uses Yamaha XT500 heads modded to SR specs, the latest (my designation GB3) AJS heads. 

2

Lucas, Ignition, Charging, Electrical / Re: Manual advance system

« Last post by Triton Thrasher on Today at 11:05 »

Been running my Velo (which ain't a plodder) for many years with those fine teeth, and rarely heard of failures there. I wonder if the fact that the Velo teeth are finer, effectively 'spreading the load' thereby less loading on individual teeth, therefore fewer failures? (I'd of course bow to your extensive engineering knowledge Andrew).

I’ve met Velocette owners who shout and swear if you remind them of the “bloody Tufnol gear!”

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Lucas, Ignition, Charging, Electrical / Re: Manual advance system

« Last post by Joolstacho on Today at 08:51 »

Been running my Velo (which ain't a plodder) for many years with those fine teeth, and rarely heard of failures there. I wonder if the fact that the Velo teeth are finer, effectively 'spreading the load' thereby less loading on individual teeth, therefore fewer failures? (I'd of course bow to your extensive engineering knowledge Andrew).

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Lucas, Ignition, Charging, Electrical / Re: Manual advance system

« Last post by CheeserBeezer on Today at 08:26 »

Replacing the fibre wheel isn't too difficult if you follow Andrew's illustrated guide. My bikes run on alloy ones. There are arguments for both. My Velo runs on a steel pinion since it stripped the fibre wheel a long way from home.

Personally, I wouldn't use an alloy wheel. The fibre wheel is described as a 'sacrificial component' for a reason. If the armature breaks (and they can) and the mag locks up the back of the crankcase might break off. Back in the day when people took their BSA to the local dealer for a service, the condition of the fibre gear would have been inspected. The reason they strip is because they've been used beyond their service life and the teeth have become sharp and weak.
However, the teeth on a Velocette fibre gear are so fine that it is hard to believe they last more than a couple of thousand miles from new! I, too, would use a steel wheel.

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Lucas, Ignition, Charging, Electrical / Re: Manual advance system

« Last post by Worty on Today at 07:52 »

Replacing the fibre wheel isn't too difficult if you follow Andrew's illustrated guide. My bikes run on alloy ones. There are arguments for both. My Velo runs on a steel pinion since it stripped the fibre wheel a long way from home.

I've come to like the idea of alloy wheels, after my ATD woes!!  As I've said, don't rely on knackered mechanisms and fibre wheels that are decades old.  I know new ATDs are expensive, but I'd rate them alongside SRM pumps, etc, a critical component.  Having said that, I still have one of the original mazac oil pumps which is still going strong.

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Lucas, Ignition, Charging, Electrical / Re: Manual advance system

« Last post by Black Sheep on Today at 07:44 »

Replacing the fibre wheel isn't too difficult if you follow Andrew's illustrated guide. My bikes run on alloy ones. There are arguments for both. My Velo runs on a steel pinion since it stripped the fibre wheel a long way from home.

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Introductions, Stories, Meetings & Pictures / Re: What have you done with your bike/s today?

« Last post by Worty on 11.11. 2025 19:19 »

Hi RD,
Sorry I thought tht you had the new one on the road already.

Worty,
RD has made his own v twin bottom ends and modified cylinder and heads from other makes

John

Our very own Allen Millyard??  I've seen some of Allen's creations and they're mind boggling. 

Hats off to RD though!  Doing that sort of stuff is like asking me to play a cors anglais whilst having a tooth filled.

Respect.

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Lucas, Ignition, Charging, Electrical / Re: Manual advance system

« Last post by Worty on 11.11. 2025 19:03 »

original gear is relatively soft fibre.. Treat with care.

Additional additional: If there's the slightest doubt about the state of the pinion - can't see all the teeth clearly in the pic - Replace!
Shedding teeth out on the road requires dentistry you can't easily do sitting in a ditch!

I'll second that!!  I had two fibre gears strip and one ATD collapse when the rivets failed.  Lots of debris in the engine and broke a tooth off one of the timing gears (read all about it in Worty's A10 Engine Rebuild thread).  When the well-esteemed Bergs rebuilt my knackered motor, I bought a brand new ATD unit off him for peace of mind.

As with any critical piece of kit, always replace new when you have the chance.  Don't do what I did and trust very old bits and pieces in critical applications.

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Introductions, Stories, Meetings & Pictures / Re: What have you done with your bike/s today?

« Last post by chaterlea25 on 11.11. 2025 19:01 »

Hi RD,
Sorry I thought tht you had the new one on the road already.

Worty,
RD has made his own v twin bottom ends and modified cylinder and heads from other makes

John

10

Frame / Re: What Frame is this?

« Last post by ctjanney on 11.11. 2025 18:11 »

Hi, I think the frame is restamped. BSA twins has same engine and frame numbers since 1967.

Regards Markku

I suspect the same!  It’s pretty unusual for the engine and frame to be the same on these older bikes.