Another BSA for Brendan - BSA B40 Project - Update 2
Brendan writes: The last installment finished with electronic ignition to be fitted. A Boyer Bransden kit was duly purchased from Burton Bike Bits. I was surprised to discover they didn't actually do a kit for six volt side points unit singles but they do a kit for dynamo equipped 6CA type points engines. The kit arrived and on reading the instructions there are dire warnings about the risks to the electronics when fitting to unregulated alternator charging systems. I try to keep my batteries fully charged so hopefully that won't be an issue.
I will say that if I was starting again I'd convert to twelve volts with a solid state regulator/rectifier.
Fitting was no problem and with the electronics box cable tied to the inside of the subframe seat rail there is no visible difference.
So now it's time for an attempt at startup, by coincidence Mick W just happened to call by to witness this historic moment. Petrol on, tickle carb, air slide down, over compression using valve lifter, as big a kick as I can manage and .......... nothing. A couple more aided by more tickling and we're away! Now it's the ceremonial lap of the garden and chance to get into second gear followed by a brake test.
All good except for one thing, on braking the (very expensive from the US) forks compressed and stayed compressed. More head scratching. I wasn't expecting that. Back on to the bike lift and jack the front of the bike up; a tap on the tyre with a mallet and they popped back again. Outside again for another test, same thing again, that's it, I've had enough for today I'll sleep on it, the best time for problem solving.
I must have dreamed that there was old grease or preservative in the sliders causing 'stiction' or hydraulic lock. The oil was duly drained from the legs and replaced with petrol. That was left overnight and drained and replaced with oil next day, if anything it was worse, now refusing to return at all, even with my No3 Thor copper/hide mallet.
Due to domestic pressure to continue with kitchen painting the job was abandoned, more sleeping required.
Again the overnight thinking time came to the rescue. I remembered when I assembled the forks/wheel etc I'd had trouble getting the end cap set bolts in. If you're familiar with the setup you'll know that the n/s of the axle has a semicircular undercut for location purposes. The set bolts are accommodated in there and if there's any issues (written with the benefit of hindsight) they could be tight. Mine were but I'd just accepted that it could be the result of manufacturing tolerances, never short of an excuse to avoid more work.
So I'd figured I needed to slack these off and then I remembered something else. When I stripped the original forks there were washers in between the mudguard brackets and the sliders. When rebuilding I'd checked the parts book and there was no mention of these washers, so I left them out. Ummm I wonder what will happen if I put them back? I think you might know where this is going. ..... So dismantle mudguard bracket assembly and strategically place washers, I thought I'd go the whole hog and put them on both sides, I do like a bit of symmetry.
All back together and outside for a test, perfect. Just like life you never stop learning with old bikes.
Also the speedometer had been sent away for refurbishment and the headlamp is now working as is the pilot lamp.
The bike has now been M-o-T'd ready for registration by DVLA but the test highlighted a little too much side play in the rear swinging arm. This will be the next job. To be continued ............
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