What have you done with your bike/s today?

[muskrat]

G'day fellas.
Rode the A7 plunger up to Nerriga for my old clubs 40th anniversary (I joined Sydney Tourers 38 years ago). About 120 miles sitting on 65mph, didn't miss a beat. Had my hand hovering on the clutch lever all the way as well, as I know the timing side bush is knackered (about 8 thou clearance) and using 40/70 oil to fill the gap 
Cheers

[Butch (cb)]

Used my V50 (The Black Pearl) for local transport Saturday night and Sunday morning (someone should make a film of that). Spent later yesterday in the garage fabricating bits to try and make a Morini road tank fit on an SP370.

[Worty]

Jeez Musky, 40/70 is thick stuff.  When you get to 12 thou on the TSB, I could send over some of the 80/90 gearbox oil I've got (picked up 25 litres for £10!!)

[Black Sheep]

Decided that the gearbox sprocket having done 35,000 miles was due for replacement. Completely forgot that on a plunger you need to take the engine out to get at the sprocket, so didn't bother moving the bike to the workshop complete with hydraulic bike bench etc. There's something to be said for Velocettes after all!

[chaterlea25]

Hi All

Decided that the gearbox sprocket having done 35,000 miles was due for replacement

Its a good job that they last as long as that
At least its not quite as bad as as having to split the crankcases on a Tiger Cub to change the sprocket ???
Ok so the A lump is a lot heavier
I know there are several other "design f**k ups on other British bikes that make servicing a PITA

John

[Butch (cb)]

Hi All

Decided that the gearbox sprocket having done 35,000 miles was due for replacement

Its a good job that they last as long as that
At least its not quite as bad as as having to split the crankcases on a Tiger Cub to change the sprocket ???
Ok so the A lump is a lot heavier
I know there are several other "design f**k ups on other British bikes that make servicing a PITA

John

It's a wonder the Japanese didn't come up with a viable alternative.

[Worty]

Holy Mary, split crankcases, engine removal.   I had to pick my face up off the floor when I discovered removal of inner primary was necessary to replace Flash sprocket - seems easy compared to others.

Hate to say it, but the Japanese got it so right.  On my 70s/80s machines, it was quick removal of a cover (no oil to drain), release locking tab, undo big nut and replace sprocket - took a leisurely half hour.

Reckon BSA had a special 'F**k up the design department' just to make ownership interesting.

[duTch]

 This is precisely why I carved a hole in the inner casting and fitted a unit series cover plate with six small screws.... pics somewhere....

[Angus]

Please be nice
I wanted to fit the missing piece of the fully enclosed chain case (front bit over the gearbox cog) and a new pair of exhaust pipes to the A10. Apart from dumping her oil once (due to wet sumping I think) she has been well behaved for over two years no nasty noises and runs really sweet.
Did this with my eldest son, as he enjoys riding and I think should know a bit about tinkering to.
Over two years ago the clutch was playing up and I found the crank shaft end nut was loose (you know the 65Flbs one). There was a slight clunk when the crank was moved, no other problem, no broken shims in the sump and I did not have the means to measure it. So Loctited and done up and ridden.
Anyway now to the part where need you to be nice.
Now I have a dial gauge and as I was there I measured it, it is between .1 and .09mm which at worst is 3.94 thou. I feel like I will leave it as really don’t want to split an engine that appears to be running so well.

[muskrat]

G'day Angus.
Don't loose any sleep over it. I've seen/heard happy running motors with a lot more than that. Check it again in 1K miles.
Cheers

[Angus]

G'day Angus.
Don't loose any sleep over it. I've seen/heard happy running motors with a lot more than that. Check it again in 1K miles.
Cheers

Thank you Muskrat, I will sleep now I was a bit concerned. Now I just need to find the clutch adaptor extractor and I can actually finish the job. 

[mikeb]

not so much today but last saturday i took the super rocket on the local bsa club's 'rods of bullen' run. what a great run. the a10 ran like a clock and the renewed swing arm (bronze) bushes and the adjusted steering head bearings made the handling fun. throttle wide open at some stages.
the a10 has been a bit unhappy recently with various minor gripes so they finally look resolved in time for summer.

the club run featured a bbq and a beer and took up much of the sunny day. a good day out.

two bikes didn't quite make it home (one leaving an oily film over my visor - i was wondering why it was getting hard to see). but then that's just a part of it all, right?

[a10 gf]

....welll, not much looked at the frame, the chrome parts and rims rusting away, the engine rebuild (only needing a timing side bearing) stagnation, wondering what, when, if, before closing the door to the shed and postponing it again. Maybe someday... But as a minmum, at least have pretty good control over all parts, and many good parts there are.

Will make some post about it all later on.

[Worty]

The world of bikes, much like anything else, is one of many quandaries.  For me, being out on the road is primary, fixing and rebuilding definitely secondary.  I would rather have more bikes and more time to ride than to see glorious riding days missed for a sweaty, oily slog in the garage.  Of course, I do repair things where I can, and do enjoy it, but not at the expense of being out and about.  Maybe when I'm older and unwiser, this'll change.

Since owning this bike, my first British (and just brilliant), I've rebuilt the frame; taken the clutch apart; learnt how to set timing and check points gaps correctly; replaced dynamo chain and adjusted correctly; sorted wheel alignment properly; changed tyres; done a fork strip down with replacement seals; fixed the electrics; replace wheel bearings; set tappets - these but to mention a few.  Full engine rebuild - maybe when my riding days are shorter and I have a Berger amount of beer in the fridge!!!

Merry Christmas and may Spring be here quickly!!

[orabanda]

Ivé made a bit of progress with unfinished business over the last couple of weeks; got the bottom end together on a mate's A7SS; waiting for SRM valve guides to finish the head.

Also, finished off barrel & head for another friend's G80; he is coming to visit on 29th and we will build the engine (& get his XL250 Motosport sorted).

Finally, just completed overhauling my brother's AG175 donk, so think I will have Christmas Day off!

Also, had to take a pic of the very firm advice another friend had displayed on his counter regarding the perils of drinking tea!

Richard