67 BSA anyone?

[Hoosier Daddy]

 Now that "Rock-it" http://honda-cb750-s.456789.n3.nabble.com/81-CB750C-quot-Rock-It-quot-td4031001.html is off the lift, I need something to keep me out of trouble this winter. Testing the waters here to see if there is an interest in my '67 BSA Spitfire build that is next.
  I picked this up when a Buddy who had heard me tell my first road bike was a pair of old BSA's, answered a craigslist add for some bulk stained glass. A widow was selling off of her late husbands stuff that needed to go... He called me up asking if I was interested in what he found under a tarp in the garage. Said it was a BSA but that was all he knew.




I told him I would check it out for her as She knew absolutely nothing about it... When I explained it was a BSA Spitfire frame, with a Lightning motor, and a Thunderbolt single carbed head, it wasn't something a true collector would pay much for, 600-800 tops... but I would be interested if she would take a $300.
Two weeks later My buddy called and asked if I still had my trailer to go get the bike, she said it was MINE!



Cleaned her up, changed the oil and changed plugs, While I  had the plugs out I squirted a little oil in the cylinders and slowly turned it over , saw something "shiney" inside, grabbed a flashlight to see the tops of brand new pistons and could read .040 stamped on top! Also discovered a Boyer electronic ignition behind the right side cover. Holey crap, the old man knew a thing or two!
  So I buttoned it up and hooked up a my temp gas bottle, connected a fresh battery I had, tickled the carb and 3 kicks later she coughed to life!

[Hoosier Daddy]

Next came the dreaming. I had owned A-65 twins before. I the early '80s a '69 Thunderbolt was my DD for a couple years and a '70 Lightning was my first build... but always wanted the British spec version that was on the cover of my Haynes manual...



Depending on who you talk to loyalty stands, many consider a '66 MkII and the '67 MkIII BSA Spitifire THE bike to have had for racing back in the day, Street or Track. With it's fiberglass peanut tank for the US favor, large Gold star front hub, and twin GP amals with 10:1 compression it was one of the fastest production bikes at the time.... and I had now found what was originally the US version of that same bike.




More research found the UK (British) version had originally had the fiberglass tank from the cover of the Haynes manual and my dreams were realized and this bikes destiny is drawn. Here is what my plans are.





To make this bike as close to a UK version of what someone would have done to it with "Period correct" items that I can find, Norman Hyde M bars, stock seat, pedestrian slicer front fender, and that tank. Oh that tank... it proved to be a very desireable item here in the states $400-$600 IF you can find one. What was I to do?
Well, look over seas! After all, that is where they were originally, right? A couple weeks on Ebay / UK and TA-DAA... I found one!



Original style repo, fiberglass, but lined for modern fuels with a monza style cap . Won it for $90 with $110 shipping (!) Mocked it up and stood back and drooled, crappy siver paint and all.



So now comes the disassemble, find all the bugs, taking my time to focus on all the details...and search for more parts!

 

[Butcherblock]

Very VERY interested in this build. I am curious to see how the Brit bikes are put together! Keep us informed!

[TOOLS1]

Do you have something against reliable electrics?
TOOLS

[Truck]

I need a bib I'm drooling so much over that bike. My dad had several BSA's and Triumphs when I was growing up, still have a soft spot for them. I can't wait to see you bring this back to life.

[Butcherblock]

BUUUUUUUURNNNN!!!!!!!

[easyrider12]

Hey Hooter Daddy!,  I came across one of your earlier posts today and was wondering since the 81c was wrapped up would you move on to that spitfire and post about it here.  lol, got my answer.  Got my popcorn and I'm sitting back to watch the show (with a few beverages).  

[Hoosier Daddy]

Thanks guys, I guess that settles it. I will keep this updated as things move along

TOOLS1 wrote

Do you have something against reliable electrics?
TOOLS

Ya, ya... Lucas electrics do have a bad Rep, don't they.
"Prince of darkness", " Inventor of intermittant wipers", the list goes on.  Once you get past the positive ground thing it's not too bad.

Butcherblock wrote

BUUUUUUUURNNNN!!!!!!! 

So that would be  an Electrical Burn?

[lostson]

 I had a 66 lightning that I chopped out, I really miss that bike. Looks like this one is coming along great.

[rich]

Looks like the editor's over at Motorcycle Classics agree!

[Hoosier Daddy]

Holey Crap! I had a subscription to Motorcycle Classics magazine but let it run out after the first of the year! Time to hit the news stand

[shinyribs]

Bring on the wentworth's. I'm game for a beezer build.

[seestheday]

kicking up my feet.  Settling in to watch this one.

[Hoosier Daddy]

I got top top yoke off the triple tree. Doesn't sound like mutch until you learn the british bike design moto... "Why use only 2 pieces when you can do the same thing with 10 ?"
Seriously....  Steering damper knob and through-bolt, it's sleeve nut, friction disc and star spring washer, Pinch bolt, fork tube caps, washers and cable guides, top nut onto a sleeve that is male and female threads onto the pivot shaft and in the yoke. All to find the tube tops are tapered and press fit into the yoke, took several whacks with the deadblow hammer to get the yoke finally free.

The front forks need help, not only are the tubes rusted and pimered (!) but when on the center stand the left extends about a 1/2" further than the right, cocking the wheel to an angle. Although nothing seems bent or loose, something is definately wonky there.

Ahhhh good times ahead!

[Hoosier Daddy]

Oh, and on a side note, while putting the word out for spares I stumbled across another. Actually this bikes little sister from the same year. Went and looked at a B44 BSA. Specifically a '67 441 Victor Roadster. A road going version of their 441cc single Scrambler that later became the "Shooting Star". $400, guy is looking for the title. Thinking this little thumper might be fun.

 

[Hoko]

Man I really wanted one of those when I was in high school in the late 60's (yes I am that old) but some things never change.  Nice find Hoosier, my favorite bikes were the 750 four, the 650 BSA and the 650 Triumph of the late 60's early 70s.  Now I've got the four and eventually I'll look for the other 2.  It's going to be interesting watching this build!

[Lucky 1]

That is Whitworth. There was Whitworth 1 and 2 sizes.

Good luck finding those tools.
Here you go....Now made in Japan.
http://www.lowbrowcustoms.com/p502/buy/tools/british/british-standard-whitworth-combo-tool-set-6-piece-koken-socket-set-8-piece-combination-rolson-wrench-set-triumph-mg-jaguar/?CAWELAID=1919518529&catargetid=1928364618&cadevice=c&cagpspn=pla&gclid=CN7Z3MH2wrkCFeV7QgodDi8Ayw
BTW... I really like your plans for the bike.
It will really raise the value of the bike and that red /white tank will be beautiful.
Too bad the modern motorcycle manufacturers cannot have any creative people like that.

[Lucky 1]

Any updates?

[Hoosier Daddy]

Whitworth is righ, completely different than US standard or metric...
  I was sicker than a DOG for three weeks. Walking Pnemonia... then a Daughters wedding... Haven't been in the shop for way too long!
 I got the front forks off to find they were bent on one side. Searching parts on a meager budget (AKA: Daughters wedding). Front tubes (stanchions) need replaced and keeping an eye out for "riserless" triple trees (yokes).
 Oh I did pic up a valve cover off e-bay that needs my polishing techniques.



Needed it and the yokes to gain clearance for the Euro styled tank I bought. With a little file and sanding before the buffing wheel the valve cover should come out stellar.

[shinyribs]

Hoosier, the BSA I just picked up has mismatched yokes. My bottom yokes ID is too big for my tubes. I'm new the these so I dont know what it is supposed to fit,but if you give me some clues I'll can see if it's what you need.