Author Topic: Handlebar controls  (Read 5370 times)

Offline bl**dydrivers

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Handlebar controls
« on: 23.03. 2010 15:32 »
On a 1962 A10 SR what controls came on it from the factory?
Did it have the ball end type of levers or the other type? Because according to pictures in Roy Bacons twins restoration book, it had the none ball type but everywhere else it has the ball type.

Also did the clutch lever have a mag advance/retard lever combination and then had the choke under the front of the seat?
Did the handlebars have anyother controls other than the ring comprising the horn, dip and cutout?

Offline Stu55Flash

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Re: Handlebar controls
« Reply #1 on: 23.03. 2010 18:23 »
I'm not the world's expert but I have 2 books from Roy Bacon. I have the restoration book as you, I also have another book called BSA Twins and Triples. This latter book list the optional extras on page 185. For the RGS 1962 this lists the Ball end levers as £0.10s. 10d extra. So from this it looks like they were extras at the time.

Stu
"Keep a distance from lady "L" drivers in cars. Some are not mechanically minded, are slow to acquire road sense, an are apt to panic..." The Pitman Book of the BSA Twins.
Golden Flash Plunger 1955, Francis Barnett Falcon 67 1954, Ferguson TEA Tractor 1951. Looking for another project!

Offline Stu55Flash

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Re: Handlebar controls
« Reply #2 on: 23.03. 2010 18:36 »
Also found on page 56 that from 1960 the air lever was returned near to its original starting point under the nose of the dual seat. Perhaps someone else can confirm this for you?
"Keep a distance from lady "L" drivers in cars. Some are not mechanically minded, are slow to acquire road sense, an are apt to panic..." The Pitman Book of the BSA Twins.
Golden Flash Plunger 1955, Francis Barnett Falcon 67 1954, Ferguson TEA Tractor 1951. Looking for another project!

Offline brackenfel

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Re: Handlebar controls
« Reply #3 on: 23.03. 2010 20:03 »
My bike is 1961 with amal 389 monobloc.. This has the short cable with air / choke lever under seat on RHS.. Am trying to source the right cable with the ferrule on it to fit in the carb, not easy ..

Cheers,
Adrian
1961 A10 650 Golden Flash - Blue
1954 BSA B33
Velocette Viper
Laverda 750 SF1
Kawasaki W650
Buell XB9S
Ariel 350NH & Matchless G3LS in bits...

Offline NickSR

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Re: Handlebar controls
« Reply #4 on: 23.03. 2010 22:58 »
Hi
Go with the Ball Ended Levers,  most of us fitted them as a go fast option then, also a guy I work with back in the late 60's had a minor spill ended up being impaled by the standard lever in his leg, a realy nasty wound.

Also air choke lever under the seat right hand side ,came in I think in 1960.

Regards
Nick
1962 Super Rocket
1955 BSA C11G
1998 BMW R850R

Offline NickSR

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Re: Handlebar controls
« Reply #5 on: 23.03. 2010 23:07 »
Hi
Please see attached photo of air choke lever position.
Regards
Nick
1962 Super Rocket
1955 BSA C11G
1998 BMW R850R

Offline bl**dydrivers

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Re: Handlebar controls
« Reply #6 on: 23.03. 2010 23:58 »
NickSR, i think with that you have convinced me to go with the ball type.

Now how about the handlebar controls, does it have a mag advanced/retard intigrated together on the clutch lever from the factory?

Offline 1660bob

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Re: Handlebar controls
« Reply #7 on: 24.03. 2010 07:32 »
Hi, interesting post for me as i am headscratching over the same questions for my `61 S/R. I  have seen pics of bikes with plain levers in BSA factory sales leaflets, and then some with ball ends??- If an option for the RGS, were they also an option for the S/R earlier? Anyone know?  If so we can fit either- and sleep at night! (before we incur the wrath of the rivetcounters,tee hee*smile*)
I believe the S/R had the longer type advance/retard lever on the left handlebar,and I suspect it was a combination rather than seperate type, (the shorter, (more familiar) A/R lever being listed for the Spitfire Scrambler,also combo) this according to my later parts book pics, which show both ball ended/plain levers,and no "seperate" A/R levers i.e. only combination type .The drawings seem to be a mix-n-match of parts from all models??-well confusing.... Earlier parts list shows a seperate A/R lever (with a"long" lever) for shooting star/super rocket.....
Incidentally, Doherty are doing said long lever combination sets, dear, but look to be superb quality and Made In Blighty-unsure if the combo lever bracket comes with or without the clutch/ brake  adjuster - again  I`m unsure whether later A10`s (S/R`s) had clutch adjuster at handlebar end/ gearbox end or both? All info appreciated by me too!, Bob

Offline The General

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Re: Handlebar controls
« Reply #8 on: 24.03. 2010 08:40 »
My 62 SR came with ball levers and an advance/retard control on the clutch lever.
Choke control under nose of seat on right side, as seen in my avitar
It's an American model though.
1962 Super Rocket

Offline NickSR

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Re: Handlebar controls
« Reply #9 on: 24.03. 2010 21:36 »
Hi
Not sure were you are based, Lyford Classic Services  sell the combined clutch/magneto lever 42/8780 their ref no: LCS5124  £43.97   - www.lyford-bsa.co.uk you will need to check if it is the long version which I think is the correct one?.

Please see attached photo of short lever to give you some ideal.

Regards
Nick
1962 Super Rocket
1955 BSA C11G
1998 BMW R850R

Offline trevinoz

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Re: Handlebar controls
« Reply #10 on: 24.03. 2010 21:56 »
My '62 RGS has the air and advance levers on the handle bars as combination sets. Both are short levers. I think the long advance lever was replaced with the short one when the Super Rocket was introduced.
My '62 Big Valve Super Rocket has the air lever under the seat but it is an American model.
  Trev.

Offline NickSR

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Re: Handlebar controls
« Reply #11 on: 24.03. 2010 22:33 »
Hi Trev

This thread could go on for a while, one of the original BSA drawing/sketches for a UK Super Rocket with a cowel headlamp has the long lever and also silver brake hubs which I think is 1961?

Again its a drawing/sketch if it was a photo we would have the answer or may be what was ever in the bin was fitted.

Photo of 1959 Super Rocket at the National Motorcycle Museum just  to confuse everyone.

Regards
Nick
1962 Super Rocket
1955 BSA C11G
1998 BMW R850R

Offline bl**dydrivers

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Re: Handlebar controls
« Reply #12 on: 24.03. 2010 22:35 »
NickSR to the rescue again  *smile*, so its the long type I need, I was unaware there were short and long types.

In the meantime where can I get the choke lever, the one that goes at the front of the seat on the right?
I thought I had one already, was advertised on ebay as the underseat choke lever, but its too small and is for the handlebars.

Offline bl**dydrivers

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Re: Handlebar controls
« Reply #13 on: 24.03. 2010 22:44 »
oops just when i was replying to this post again NickSR posted the last post, guess we are just going to be even more confused.
Is it the short or the long type?
I presume its going to be the short type as between 30s and 50s, they liked the levers long and then went through a phase of short.

NickSR, I have so many reference photos of that SR in the museum and must admit its confusing.

 

Offline chaterlea25

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Re: Handlebar controls
« Reply #14 on: 24.03. 2010 23:20 »
Hi All,
Just coz its in a museum doesnt mean its correct!!!!!!!
There are so many lashups there its way past being funny!!!!!
HTH
John O R
1961 Super Rocket
1963 RGS (ongoing)