My first break down................shizer.

[Josh Cox]

Went for a 200 odd mile ride with the local restorers club, they were all pussys and turned up with their new BMW's etc etc, not me as the BSA is my only bike (for now), BSA it was.

At basically the furthest most point from home I was cruising along at 65 M/HR and the old girl starting farting and surging, I got that horrid sinking feeling.

Pulled over and as I pulled up could smell that scary fuel on hot magneto smell, turned the fuel off and took a few steps back from the bike.

Long story in short, the main jet had vibrated loose over the last 800 MLS and stopped the fuel going through the carb, tightened up the main jet and she started first kick.

Morale of the story:

* I had noticed the idle characterisitics of the bike had changed over the last couple of rides, indicating there was a problem, yet I ignored it, if something changes, find the cause.

* Loctite absolutely everything on these bikes.

[gold33]

100 mile is a long way to push 201kg!

On my first run after the unexpected rebuild I noticed a rattle from the left hand side of the bike, pulled up at the lights and the magnificent burble from my exhaust changed to silence... couldn't find anything wrong so I gave it a kick, all was well, no vibration; stopped again at the lights, vibration back as I slowed, just as the lights changed I was again struck down with silent exhausts.
By the time I got home I was in need of a drink, 7 mths off the road and now intermittent problems. Turns out they were completely unrelated and the vibration was my left hand exhaust bolt "trying to go it's own way".

As with your lesson I now check and tighten fasteners as well as oil before starting 

Darren

[MG]

 

Ref fasteners and Loctite:

On the very first ride with my A10 after the rebuild a sudden gearchange failure occured. The reason was that I had lost the gear lever. Had to take a short walk (about 1km) back to find it and rode home, holding it in place with the right foot lacking a suitable spanner in the toolbox.

[LJ.]

holding it in place with the right foot

Markus... Here's a suitable bodge for when your a long way from home... 

You might need to click and open picture to see details.

[Josh Cox]

100 mile is a long way to push 201kg!

Add to that my well fed rotunda.....

[MG]

Ah, the good old wire fixation.
No need for spanners, nuts, bolts or Loctite.

So I'll either have to buy a second set of Whitworth spanners or just put some wire and pliers in the toolbox. 

[muskrat]

MG, a 14mm ring spanner fits on the gearshift spline. I know, I had to do 100 miles with the mod.
Josh, don't tell me you loctited the main jet !
Cheers.

[Josh Cox]

OK, I won't tell you that I loctited it in with 222.

[gold33]

New lesson, don't test ride until you've got all the required parts and have them fitted.

2 kicks and away into the night with my newly rectified 6v headlight shining brightly, purring beautifully it was time for a good twist with the right hand... and there I was, the darkside had descended upon me yet again, proceeded by a nice little fireworks display where my new light switch used to be, seems I should have waited for the retainer clip and "o" ring... would have save a ride home in the dark and a new fuse (I know, I should have a spare in the kit)