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British Bikes / Re: Troubleshooting a JAP Special
« on: September 07, 2026, 09:41:47 PM »
Cut the pushrod somewhere on it's length and put a 1/4" clutch roller in the middle. A bit of grease and good to go.
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British Bikes / Re: After the rides done, wheres the best place to find someone whos just as keen on classic bikesan
« on: September 02, 2026, 09:30:13 AM »
There's the local Spam enthusiasts club; you might find that interesting.
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British Bikes / Re: Troubleshooting a JAP Special
« on: August 31, 2026, 12:15:14 PM »
Good idea; old Myfords, like old bikes, are dropping in price all the time.
What was the thick end of £1k a couple of years back is now unsold at half that.
What was the thick end of £1k a couple of years back is now unsold at half that.
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British Bikes / Re: Troubleshooting a JAP Special
« on: August 28, 2026, 05:45:19 PM »
On your pic of 21st August it appears that it would be possible to screw the clutch nuts down a bit tighter. Have you tried that or do the springs become coil-bound?
Did your dad have the bike running satisfactorily or was the clutch always problematic?
I've had bikes in the past where the clutch springs have measured up OK but still been useless. I suppose that comes with people using what they have rather than buying something known to be suitable for the power expected to be transmitted.
Did your dad have the bike running satisfactorily or was the clutch always problematic?
I've had bikes in the past where the clutch springs have measured up OK but still been useless. I suppose that comes with people using what they have rather than buying something known to be suitable for the power expected to be transmitted.
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British Bikes / Re: BSA B31 Rigid (1949)
« on: August 24, 2026, 07:16:25 PM »
The BSA six spring clutch on the B range (not the A's) was a shameful piece of tin pressing, and the band is to stop the basket distorting in use. The number of plates (and hence the depth of the clutch centre) varies between the 350s and the 500's, the larger bikes using more plates.
On yours you should be able to use the lower number of plates, which is good as it makes for an easier clutch pull. You'll need to set up the outer plate truth to a fine degree if gear engagement is to be anywhere near silent. A DTI is good for this.
On yours you should be able to use the lower number of plates, which is good as it makes for an easier clutch pull. You'll need to set up the outer plate truth to a fine degree if gear engagement is to be anywhere near silent. A DTI is good for this.
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British Bikes / Re: Troubleshooting a JAP Special
« on: August 23, 2026, 09:46:28 PM »
I think you're barking up the wrong tree with that worn clutch centre; if you think it's an issue then simply take a 12" !"£%^% to it and smooth it out. The worst that will happen is that it would rattle slightly more when the clutch is pulled. Hardly a concern.
Usually they're worn much more than that, and the main symptom is a dragging clutch leading to crunchy gear engagement when pulling away.
Don't really see how the minimal wear you have there will/would cause clutch slippage within 50 miles or so.
£330 quid is a bit much for suck it and see diagnostics, too. I'd be looking at plates, springs and something amiss with the assembly first.
Usually they're worn much more than that, and the main symptom is a dragging clutch leading to crunchy gear engagement when pulling away.
Don't really see how the minimal wear you have there will/would cause clutch slippage within 50 miles or so.
£330 quid is a bit much for suck it and see diagnostics, too. I'd be looking at plates, springs and something amiss with the assembly first.
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British Bikes / Re: Troubleshooting a JAP Special
« on: August 22, 2026, 09:31:24 AM »
It might be grandma's eggs, but have you tried cleaning the friction plates in a solvent like celly thinners?
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Identify these bikes! / Re: L'il Villiers
« on: August 17, 2026, 12:59:41 PM »Their whole world seemed to revolve around their race to the bottom of cheap and nasty. Price seemed to be the sole criteria for the majority.
"Race to the bottom" is 2020's concept. Theirs was more likely to be "a penny saved is a penny earned" which given the financial hardship of the time, made perfect sense. Profit margins were low to non-existent on bikes made purely for commuting, so every little cheese-paring helped with the bottom line.
You want grease nipples? Buy a Brough, McAvoy, Coventry-Eagle etc etc.
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British Bikes / Re: Troubleshooting a JAP Special
« on: August 06, 2026, 06:19:24 PM »
As an aside, I always use Jubilee/worm drive clips when the bike is still in the "fannying around with" stage as then are easily removed if required.
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British Bikes / Re: Troubleshooting a JAP Special
« on: July 31, 2026, 10:00:06 AM »
That bog at Bracklesham is a throw-back from the 1950s which is probably the last time it was deep-cleaned. How long can you hold your breath?
I like the bendy road back to the A27 though.
I like the bendy road back to the A27 though.
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British Bikes / Re: Troubleshooting a JAP Special
« on: July 29, 2026, 09:21:30 AM »
Yep, there was the Old Fossils Run at Waterlooville, and another classic meet near Guildford on the same day.
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Identify these bikes! / Re: L'il Villiers
« on: July 27, 2026, 10:11:04 AM »
A mate has the identical twin, other than his exhausts are standard low-level.
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British Bikes / Re: Troubleshooting a JAP Special
« on: July 27, 2026, 10:07:14 AM »
Looking good though.
Where was the meet?
Where was the meet?
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British Bikes / Re: Troubleshooting a JAP Special
« on: July 23, 2026, 09:30:56 PM »
Good stuff.
I know you believe it to be the fuel filter lip, but on most recent new carbs I've bought the very thin fibre washer is too stiff to flatten and seal, but after a night of soaking and swelling, a quick tighten the following morning sorts it.
I know you believe it to be the fuel filter lip, but on most recent new carbs I've bought the very thin fibre washer is too stiff to flatten and seal, but after a night of soaking and swelling, a quick tighten the following morning sorts it.
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British Bikes / Re: Troubleshooting a JAP Special
« on: July 23, 2026, 05:09:58 PM »
It's like watching one of those comedy semi-porn films of the 1970s, where you whizz through all the "do your windows need cleaning again Mrs Bloggs?" boring bits to get to the good stuff..... and there's no good stuff.
Or so I'm told...
Or so I'm told...