im going to assume the milky stuff (wasnt that much) was exactly that; the emulsified oil and solvent. i am not going to go through with testing it as it stands with the 30 weight non-detergent oil. i have decided, after hearing what you guys have been saying, to strip the top end and look at the valve guides and inspect the piston rings. one reason i am optimistic about actually having this bike on the road this summer is that, starting tomorrow afternoon, i am on a 9-day vacation. surely enough time for a slow guy like me to get my act together, find the gaskets and other parts i will need and get this thing done.
by the way, from the start, i've been very slow and methodical about what ive been doing. not only because this is new to me, but because i value this machine for its history, engineering and beauty. im only 35 years old which is probably young enough to be a son to many of you, but my appreciation for BSA and its roots as a small group of gunsmiths at the dawn of the industrial revolution cannot be overstated. i have read extensively about the company and all it produced and decided i wanted to own something at the top of the A10 line.
8 years ago while riding with my vintage bike friends, i told one of them my dream of owning a super rocket. back then, i had an A50. i thought if i found one it would either be in such good condition it would be too expensive for me to buy (mortgage, wife, kids) or if i found one within my price range, it would be a basket case. i had to sell both the 69 A50 and a 76 honda CB550F in order to buy this and i couldnt be happier. i feel connected to this bike.
i have reached a point beyond frustration and impatience. i am calm and relaxed and ready to do what i need to do (with the help of a few drinks) to get this final stuff done right.
thanks for taking the time to help me through this, and i will post my results, hopefully within a week.
mike.
