classic motorcycle forum

Have just received my copy of the BSA Star magazine an interesting article.

Hi there
I have a problem with my BSA A65 Star 1963. Just recently restored only done about 100miles went out the other day everything appeared okay had the headlight on after about 10 miles noticed that the ampmeter showing about6amp discharge, switched the lights off ampmeter showing zero no charge. Came home and after the bike had stood in the garage for about 30 minutes started the bike and now showing a good charge also a good charge with the headlights on. Next day took bike out of garage started okay showing a good charge with headlight on went for a run after 4 miles now showing discharge about 6amps came home left for about 1 hour but when started not showing a charge at all. Have checked all connections the power unit is mounted out in the open where the zener diode used to be. Battery shows 12.4 volts with voltmeter when started shows 12.08 volts. Without engine running headlight on ampmeter shows 3amp discharge with engine running shows 6amp discharge. Questions how do you test the power module and do you think that is the problem. Bike is 12v with Pazon electronic ignition with a Wassell  Power Unit replacing the Zener Diode and Rectifier. Thankyou.

HI there.
First thing how often do you check your gear lever for tightness, I will check it a lot more often after today. It was a lovely day here in North East England for a run, so I set off for a run down to the coast only about 10-12 miles got there no bother continued on further down down the coast then cut back inland over to the A1 and headed back home got to my  turn off slip road which is uphill to traffic lights which were on red, went to change down only to find gear lever missing had to stop at the lights, but because of incline could not pull away in top tried but engine stalled holding in the clutch pushed the bike round the roundabout off the opposite slip road onto a housing estate. Thankfully I was only about a mile from home but there was no way I was going to be able to push the bike up the very steep hill home so rang the son who arrived after just a few minutes during which I had a plan which was go home with the son in his car take the gear lever off the A65 which was in the garage go back fasten on and hey presto drive home. Soon as I looked at the lever on the A65 I knew it would not fit smaller spindle so plan B took a set of Mole Grips down clamped to the spindle changed into nuetral started the engine and using the grips changed into second gear pulled away and drove the mile home. I do have breakdown cover which I would have used if I were any distance away but I reckoned that I would have been home before they could have got to me. Why did it come off I have not had the gear lever off for at least 6-7 years and used the bike every year. Ordered a new lever on Ebay will check it now on a regular basis.

Hi there
Have been doing some research on this topic and I am now quite worried to the extent that I went to see my local MP about it who was very sympathetic and promised to write to the Minister  of Transport about it.
So what am I worried about, well I have 2 bikes both with petsealed tanks which as you may already know will be dissolved by Ethanol it also dissolves some fibreglass tanks. I have found that some people have already had disastrous problems such as carb throttle valve seizing  inlet valves seizing to the extent that the push rods bent needing a complete strip down of the cylinder head and a lot of work to rectify. Now you might think that okay I don't have a sealed tank or a fibre glass tank so I will be okay. Wrong there is alist materials that are not recommened for use with EthanolI will give you some. Zinc, Brass, Copper, Aluminium, Lead/Tin Viton, Neoprene, Nylon 66, Cork. Now while the effects on some tank sealants and some fibreglass tanks is immediate the possible longer term effects on these other materials I cannot find an answer to.  Bear in mind that our carbs have Zinc bodies brass jets copper floats that are soldered and cork seals in the petrol taps. I have asked my MP to try to get it made compulsory for all fuel stations label all pumps with the level of Ethanol, to delay any further implementation of Ethanol until more research is done into the negative effects and a major publicity campaign to make the public aware of the dangers to some vehicles. It does not bear thinking about if you are riding your bike and your carb throttle valve sticks because of Ethanol dissolving the sealant in your tank. GO to www.fbhvc.co.uk and in the information panel click on Bio-fuels and read the article.

Hi there I am restoring a 1963 BSA A65 Star Twin and am converting to 12v I now need to purchase a12v battery and am not sure what battery to buy could someone please advise, there is such a variety of batteries out there. The old 6v battery physical sizes are L120mm  W60mm  H 130mm.

I am restoring a1963 BSA A65 Star Twin and having removed the head and barrels  the pistons are stamped BSA 68-251 now according to the books they should be  68-250 standard 68-252 first rebore 68-254 second rebore. I cannot find anywhere a record of 68-251 can anyone tell me what these pistons are. Also on the crown is stamped V30  7/62 M I understand that the 7/62M is the month and year that they were made and the M has something to do with boring out of the cylinders. 68-251 is also cast onto the flats on side of the pistons next to  the gudgeon pins.