Help! "New" old BSA Starfire 250

[scootafam]

Hello folks:  My 1st post.  Purchased 68 250 BSA Starfire single on Saturday.  I'm relatively old..way  older than the bike.  It has 5,400 orginal miles & is beautiful.   Only problem is it took my 35 minutes to start (yes, it's new fuel) and my leg is still gimpy from kicking.  Also, it only has a center stand and it's really difficult for me to use.
I can afix a side stand?  If so, where can I access one.  Sure hope you can help.

dave in St. Louis, Missouri USA

[colinb]

I know that some starfires have them fitted but I'm not sure where you can source one. It sounds like you have found a low km machine they are really nice bikes for cruising at 80kph that speed is very comfortable and rattle free.

goodluck colin australia

[scootafam]

Thanks, Colin:

I'll get her sorted out.  Good to hear your refview of the Starfire.  I'll keep you posted the next  time I get her fired up.

dave in St. Louie

[Justin_Faithfull]

You can buy universal bolt on sidestands from lots of places that sell general parts for British motorcycles.
You could contact OTJ who are BSA unit single specialists.
They are now owned by Sheffield British Motorcycles.

Sheffield British Motorcycles
26/30 Lowgates
Staveley
Chesterfield
S43 3TT
United Kingdom
Telephone:- 01246 290021

[scootafam]

Justin:  That is a big help! thank you,

dave in St. Louis

[Goldy]

If you don,t press the tickle on the carb untill petrol comes out it will take for ever to start.

[colinb]

Hey for a sidestand how about section "spares" on this site?

[cpp01]

Hi Dave,

I have the Triumph equivalent of your bike same year. The trick I've found to start it easily is:

1. Tickle carb until fuel comes out
2. Kick over engine once or twice ('preloads' the cylinder with fuel)
3. Turn on ignition
4. Tickle carb again
5. Kick start engine first attempt (maybe not every time!)

I got the trick from someone with a 'newer' model, works a treat.

If you're happy playing with points etc then leave them in. If you're a bit lazy like me then fit electronic ignition and the bike starts even easier with no need to tweak points.

Make sure you keep an eye on valve clearances on the bike, these will affect starting along with everything else.

I'm sure you will enjoy the bike, easy to work on and great fun to ride.

cpp01
UK

[cpp01]

Oh, I meant to say that mine's has a sidestand but no centre stand. No position for a centre stand either as far as I can tell. Makes maintenance a bit harder. Ideally you'd want both, centre stand better than side in my opinion though.

cpp01

[scootafam]

Good tips ccp01:  You won't believe this, but when I took it to the shop, the old mechanic informed me that is NOT 250, instead it is a 441Victor Shooting Star.  The PO said the wrong decals were on the bike (441 Shooting Star decals).  Well, he was wrong.  So now I 191 extra cc's to contend with.

wow

[colinb]

Hi,

Perhaps you could post a photo of your bike for us all to see.

regards colin - australia

[boardtrack]

Good tips ccp01:  You won't believe this, but when I took it to the shop, the old mechanic informed me that is NOT 250, instead it is a 441Victor Shooting Star.  The PO said the wrong decals were on the bike (441 Shooting Star decals).  Well, he was wrong.  So now I 191 extra cc's to contend with.

wow

Extra ccs but maybe same lower end.  Be careful.  Gil

[850norton]

Hello folks:  My 1st post.  Purchased 68 250 BSA Starfire single on Saturday.  I'm relatively old..way  older than the bike.  It has 5,400 orginal miles & is beautiful.   Only problem is it took my 35 minutes to start (yes, it's new fuel) and my leg is still gimpy from kicking.  Also, it only has a center stand and it's really difficult for me to use.
I can afix a side stand?  If so, where can I access one.  Sure hope you can help.

dave in St. Louis, Missouri USA

Dave, there's a few good places in the UK such as Lightning Spares, C&D Auto, Kidderminster and Draganfly. A little nearer to home try British Cycle Supply (BCS) in Nova Scotia with an office in New Jersey.

I've gotten parts for my 68 Starfire from BCS and Lightning and they both give excellent service.

Hope that helps,

Tim in San Antonio

[L.A.B.]

Extra ccs but maybe same lower end.  Be careful.

The B44 Shooting Star (or 'Victor Roadster', as it was known in the UK for '66 only) bottom end and gearbox is much stronger than the 250 bottom ends apparently, as it is a descendant of the successful B44 Victor MX scrambler model.

[blew]

The B/C 25s had plain bearing cranks,whereas the B44/B50 had roller bearing cranks-the B50 had 3 main bearings.