Fixing up a '68 BSA B25 Starfire - Page 4

Rob Farmer · 05-25-2011, 03:40 AM

This Triumph T25 rocker box is advertised on uk Ebay http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BSA-B25-T25-Ma...-/220780981481 it clearly shows a blanked off valve lifter.

Rich B · 05-25-2011, 12:02 PM

Rob

For whatever reason, I seem to remember the 67 C25 may have had the valve lifter, as well as the same year B25. If I was real inclined, I would research it for sure.....but trying to get the albatross Gold Star finished and running consumes all of my spare time

The later B25 rocker boxes have unmachined remnants of the lifter boss still in them. So either it was an option, was on very early bikes, or who knows...

Just typically wouldn't find a B25 with a valve lifter.

Rob Farmer · 05-25-2011, 01:19 PM

Just nice to know sometimes Rich?

This threads got me all misty eyed about BSA's again.

dogmantra · 05-25-2011, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rich B

Rob

Just typically wouldn't find a B25 with a valve lifter.

From what I recall, the PO said that he'd had the lifter added at some point- that it wasn't stock. I feel bad that I didn't listen better. I was busy breaking it down to throw in my brother's truck so I could flee before he changed his mind.

Rob Farmer · 05-25-2011, 11:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dogmantra

From what I recall, the PO said that he'd had the lifter added at some point- that it wasn't stock. I feel bad that I didn't listen better. I was busy breaking it down to throw in my brother's truck so I could flee before he changed his mind.

That's spoiled the hunt

dogmantra · 05-27-2011, 07:57 PM

I've had a doozy of a time getting the forks off this thing. The left side popped pretty easy but the right was not. letting. go. The right leg was a bit weepy so I figured something funky was going on in there. Once I cut away the boot I could see that the spring had been sitting in water trapped under the boot for a while. Rust everywhere. When I drained the "oil" I got this dribbling into remnants of car oil from the last change:

It was mostly water with what looked like soft-serve coffee flavored ice cream oozing out in globs. I had to do the reverse cow milking method of pumping the leg to get it to flow. After a bit it would glob out, the douche more water, the plug up and glob a bit. Repeat.

I finally ended up taking the triple clamps off and banging the top off and out so the leg could drop. So, after a day of head scratching and wrasslin' I have this:

This weekend the rear wheel comed off and I'm hauling the frame to the car wash to try and blast 30 years of grease, dog hair, and crumbs of seat foam away.

And the list of parts I need to replace keeps getting longer...

Packer · 05-27-2011, 11:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob Farmer

So we still have the unsolved mystery of the valve lifter to solve?

I seem to remember that my B40 had a valve lifter, the fixing bracket scarred my leg when I ran out of brakes and hit the back of a car. My girlfriend of the time slid forward and helped ensure the lifter got my leg properly. The handlebar mirror mount was determined not to be overshadowed and got the right thigh to match.

Perhaps the B40 rocker cover is interchangeable with the B25 item.

Re the misty eyed BSA memories I've always had an itch for an A65 Thunderbolt. Not a Lightning though, one Amal concentric carb is more than enough grief for anyone! This model:-

Sorry for the hijack

Rich B · 05-28-2011, 06:54 AM

So the question of the valve lifter kept bugging me. Memory said the 67 B25/C25 had a valve lifter. In checking the parts books for 67 & 68 that came from the former local BSA dealer, guess what, both list a valve lifter for those 2 years. Seems it was deleted later.

GUess I have spent too much time around later B25s......BSA just didn't delete the boss in the rocker box or the lug on the exhaust rocker on the later engines.

And as far as dealing with 2 concentrics....I would take 2 concentrics over 1 monoblock....and I have 2 monoblocks on 1 bike...read that as carburator hell X 2....what a POS carb.....

dogmantra · 05-28-2011, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Packer

Sorry for the hijack

Swoon. No apologies necessary. It's funny, a friend has a 2007 Bonny that I have always felt kind of "meh" about. This, however, is the styling that makes me feel goofy. It's a lot like the Bonny but I just like the looks of it a whole lot more for whatever reason.

I wonder if the 650 has the same frame as mine? It would be nice to have the option to make that upgrade at some point.

dogmantra · 05-28-2011, 06:45 PM

Got the frame (with swing arm) ready to go to the pressure washer and noticed something amiss with the swing arm. It looks bent:

Hard to see with my crappy camera and glare (its actually sunny in Seattle!) so I slotted a rod in the dropouts to show what's happening:

It looks to be a good 1/2 inch or so higher on the right. Since I've never seen these frames before I don't know what the norm is... but, I can't see why it would be designed that way?

I don't see any cracks or anything but it's still pretty grimey. I'll get a better look once it's cleaned up. Anyone know what is standard with these?

Hawk28 · 05-29-2011, 08:47 PM

I don't have any wisdom to add to your project, but this was my first bike and I used it to commute to grad school while living in Cambridge , Mass.
I made some racks and used surplus army courier bags as saddle bags.
A perfect bike for commuting and the back roads of Lincoln. Even 2 up on Rt 2. Unfortunately, the usual bad jokes about Lucas apply. Had to rebuild the top end. My dream bike was the 441 Victor in those days.
Good luck with this and keep us posted.
Hawk

Grider Pirate · 05-31-2011, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dogmantra

Got the frame (with swing arm) ready to go to the pressure washer and noticed something amiss with the swing arm. It looks bent:

Hard to see with my crappy camera and glare (its actually sunny in Seattle!) so I slotted a rod in the dropouts to show what's happening:

It looks to be a good 1/2 inch or so higher on the right. Since I've never seen these frames before I don't know what the norm is... but, I can't see why it would be designed that way?

I don't see any cracks or anything but it's still pretty grimey. I'll get a better look once it's cleaned up. Anyone know what is standard with these?

It's unlikely to be cracked. That's not a ton of twist for the length of the pieces. It should straighten without too much difficulty.
Did you ever get the manual?

Packer · 05-31-2011, 11:33 PM

I wouldn't place any importance on the result of that. If I rermember correctly the two bottom cradle hoops are different and so the entire frame may be canted to one side and the further you get from the ground the more exagerated it appeara.

Remove the swing arm and get a bar through the pivot bearings and another through the axle slots and put the entire item on a flat surface, even a good kitchen worktop should be good enough for an assessment. Just measure from surface to shaft at the four corners. I should point out that there are health risks here. If the cook sees your rusty greasy swing arm on the kitchen counter death or serious injury may result. At the very least expect earache.

dogmantra · 06-01-2011, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grider Pirate

It's unlikely to be cracked. That's not a ton of twist for the length of the pieces. It should straighten without too much difficulty.
Did you ever get the manual?

Yeah, sorry, I thought I fired a PM. got it just fine and have been putting it through its paces already! Woo hoo!

dogmantra · 06-01-2011, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Packer

. I should point out that there are health risks here. If the cook sees your rusty greasy swing arm on the kitchen counter death or serious injury may result. At the very least expect earache.

Oh, so I take it you've met my wife?

05-27-2011, 07:57 PM	#51
dogmantra ^OP the White Shadow Joined: Feb 2008 Location: Seattle Oddometer: 347	gah! I've had a doozy of a time getting the forks off this thing. The left side popped pretty easy but the right was not. letting. go. The right leg was a bit weepy so I figured something funky was going on in there. Once I cut away the boot I could see that the spring had been sitting in water trapped under the boot for a while. Rust everywhere. When I drained the "oil" I got this dribbling into remnants of car oil from the last change: It was mostly water with what looked like soft-serve coffee flavored ice cream oozing out in globs. I had to do the reverse cow milking method of pumping the leg to get it to flow. After a bit it would glob out, the douche more water, the plug up and glob a bit. Repeat. I finally ended up taking the triple clamps off and banging the top off and out so the leg could drop. So, after a day of head scratching and wrasslin' I have this: This weekend the rear wheel comed off and I'm hauling the frame to the car wash to try and blast 30 years of grease, dog hair, and crumbs of seat foam away. And the list of parts I need to replace keeps getting longer... __________________ "Being shot out of a cannon will always be better than being squeezed out of a tube. That is why God made fast motorcycles, Bubba...." -Hunter S. Thompson 1968 BSA B-25 Starfire

05-28-2011, 06:45 PM	#55
dogmantra ^OP the White Shadow Joined: Feb 2008 Location: Seattle Oddometer: 347	eff'd? Got the frame (with swing arm) ready to go to the pressure washer and noticed something amiss with the swing arm. It looks bent: Hard to see with my crappy camera and glare (its actually sunny in Seattle!) so I slotted a rod in the dropouts to show what's happening: It looks to be a good 1/2 inch or so higher on the right. Since I've never seen these frames before I don't know what the norm is... but, I can't see why it would be designed that way? I don't see any cracks or anything but it's still pretty grimey. I'll get a better look once it's cleaned up. Anyone know what is standard with these? __________________ "Being shot out of a cannon will always be better than being squeezed out of a tube. That is why God made fast motorcycles, Bubba...." -Hunter S. Thompson 1968 BSA B-25 Starfire

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05-25-2011, 03:40 AM	#46
Rob Farmer Beastly Adventurer Joined: Aug 2002 Location: Loughborough, Leicestershire. England Oddometer: 3,733	This Triumph T25 rocker box is advertised on uk Ebay http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BSA-B25-T25-Ma...-/220780981481 it clearly shows a blanked off valve lifter.

05-25-2011, 12:02 PM	#47
Rich B Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Apr 2010 Location: Stone Creek, OH Oddometer: 305	Rob For whatever reason, I seem to remember the 67 C25 may have had the valve lifter, as well as the same year B25. If I was real inclined, I would research it for sure.....but trying to get the albatross Gold Star finished and running consumes all of my spare time The later B25 rocker boxes have unmachined remnants of the lifter boss still in them. So either it was an option, was on very early bikes, or who knows... Just typically wouldn't find a B25 with a valve lifter.

05-25-2011, 01:19 PM	#48
Rob Farmer Beastly Adventurer Joined: Aug 2002 Location: Loughborough, Leicestershire. England Oddometer: 3,733	Just nice to know sometimes Rich? This threads got me all misty eyed about BSA's again.

05-28-2011, 06:54 AM	#53
Rich B Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Apr 2010 Location: Stone Creek, OH Oddometer: 305	So the question of the valve lifter kept bugging me. Memory said the 67 B25/C25 had a valve lifter. In checking the parts books for 67 & 68 that came from the former local BSA dealer, guess what, both list a valve lifter for those 2 years. Seems it was deleted later. GUess I have spent too much time around later B25s......BSA just didn't delete the boss in the rocker box or the lug on the exhaust rocker on the later engines. And as far as dealing with 2 concentrics....I would take 2 concentrics over 1 monoblock....and I have 2 monoblocks on 1 bike...read that as carburator hell X 2....what a POS carb.....

05-29-2011, 08:47 PM	#56
Hawk28 Adventurer Joined: Aug 2004 Location: Sierra Foothills, NorCal Oddometer: 64	I don't have any wisdom to add to your project, but this was my first bike and I used it to commute to grad school while living in Cambridge , Mass. I made some racks and used surplus army courier bags as saddle bags. A perfect bike for commuting and the back roads of Lincoln. Even 2 up on Rt 2. Unfortunately, the usual bad jokes about Lucas apply. Had to rebuild the top end. My dream bike was the 441 Victor in those days. Good luck with this and keep us posted. Hawk

05-31-2011, 11:33 PM	#58
Packer Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Apr 2006 Location: Scotland, wonderful biking when it's dry (rarely) Oddometer: 316	I wouldn't place any importance on the result of that. If I rermember correctly the two bottom cradle hoops are different and so the entire frame may be canted to one side and the further you get from the ground the more exagerated it appeara. Remove the swing arm and get a bar through the pivot bearings and another through the axle slots and put the entire item on a flat surface, even a good kitchen worktop should be good enough for an assessment. Just measure from surface to shaft at the four corners. I should point out that there are health risks here. If the cook sees your rusty greasy swing arm on the kitchen counter death or serious injury may result. At the very least expect earache.