Out With the Old Update 1
As can been seen from the pix I’ve been busy stripping the psychedelic paint job off the petrol tank. You’ll also notice the filled dents, with the aid of a hot air paint remover the filler went soft and was easy to remove. The various layers of paint also softened and could be scraped off.
The tank will today be sent to Andy at Motorcycle Dent Removal, Pickering, N.Yorks., no need to explain why.
As for the rest of the bike, fifty three years of American dirt has been removed, they seem to like riding bikes in wet cement judging by the difficulty in shifting the accumulated gunge.
Various bits that needed weld repair were identified, drilled holes in frame and number plate, and worn footrests. Those bits have been done courtesy of Mick W, many thanks.
The cylinder head has a broken fin which is beyond repair plus the compression release arm needs bushing. The latter runs in the alloy rocker box and they always needs a bronze bush to make them good and prevent oil leaks.
The broken fin issue has been solved by the purchase of a NOS item from BSA Unit Singles in Jaffrey, NH. Peter Quick there sells, as the name suggests, a great range of used, new and NOS parts especially for the off road models which were aimed at the US market.
After much deliberation I’ve decided to have the mudguards rechromed, the deliberation was because I don’t want a show bike, but, the guards still need protection and the old chrome was too far gone.
There’s lots more to think about, electrics, rear shocks, forks etc etc. We’ll save that for the next update. Brendan.
Out With the Old Update 2 Update 3