classic motorcycle forum

  Elitism in classic bike circles, is not unique to just that genre, as I'm sure most of you are aware.  Over on this side of "The Pond", trying to get acknowledgement ala sticking out your left hand and maybe a couple of fingers, from the big American Twin-riding types is an act in futility.  When I bought my first sportbike (a new '92 CBR600 F2), and started riding on a daily basis, I'd do the "biker wave" to all oncoming motorcyclists.  I soon found out that because I wasn't riding a Harley, I didn't rate a return wave from those guys.  Yet, all other sportbikers and standard riders seemed to have the courteousness to return the wave, or even throw the wave out before me.  Back in '04, I had enough pocket change to buy my dream sportbike, a 999.  Not to say that Ducati is the upper crust of sportbikes, but they are nice.  I'd still throw out the wave, even to the Harley guys.  I occasionally got a return from those mostly scruffy-bearded, supposedly "old school" Harley riders.  But that was a rarity, and I chalk it up to the fact that I was riding a twin, albeit not an American twin.  What cracked me up was when the clearly corporate guy, who bought his way into Harleydom, would emit this same elitism.  It made me chuckle, knowing that these Johnny-come-latelies (who coincidentally were driving up the prices on Harleys at the dealerships) had been riding all of maybe a couple of years, were looking down on me as a lower class citizen.

Yeah, all I really wanted out of this bike was a nice old Brit bike that I could ride, maybe make it as close to restored as possible.  I'm completely comfortable getting "greasy".  Hell, I pulled off the aluminum engine covers and other aluminum bits off my '67 Superhawk and hand polished those.  That took some time and serious elbow grease.  I'm willing to hang out and piece this thing together over time.  My priority would be to strip the frame and repair the seat tube section that is missing.  Bead blast the whole the thing and powder coat.  Then move onto the engine.  Have it checked inside.  Maybe bore it out a tad, and put some oversized pistons in there.  See what the top end looks like.  Replace any valve springs, etc.  I've never worked on a Brit bike, so I have no experience or knowledge on how the valve train works or what it even looks like, but I imagine it's similar to most of the standard older technology.  There's various sheet metal repair that needs to be done (fenders, etc.).  Check out the electrical system.  Replace the battery.  Gas tank looks decent enough inside.  Replace clutch and brake cables.  Fire this beast up and see what's what.  That's all.  Not too much to ask for, is it?

Being new to these older bikes, I noticed a little switch lever type thing near the left side hand grip (see attached pic).  What is this?  It almost looks like an old bicycle bell lever.

Also, what are the extra set of small levers above each handlebar lever?  Do they actuate the oil spill or the smoke generator?

Thanks again,
Scott

Rex - I like your idea.  If I go that route, what's worth more complete?  A '40 G3 or a '43 M20?

Rogerwilco - I'll have to crack open the case when I get home.  If it's shit, then the motor will get discarded, if not, I might use it as Rex suggested and build around it.

Thanks guys!

-Scott

Yebbut,
  Thanks for the reply.  And good eye btw.  Yes, the seat tube is missing about a 2 inch section, hence the "queer" angle of the oil tank.  I can't tell the wifey that you've said "weigh it in and scrap it", lest she yell at me and reply "I told you not to bring it home!"  I figured I'd try to find the origin of this bike, like what model and year is it really.  Sounds like a '40 G3, from what you say.  I had planned on starting with that as a reference or guide in the restoration process.  But seeing as how it has so many different parts, I guess I can make it whatever the hell I want.  Maybe even a bobber.  I'd hate to scrap it, if I can make it look like a 40's Matchless, it might be worth a try?  Maybe a less loftier goal would be to try to make it look like a 40's British bike  It's currently mostly OD green, but I could make it into one of the civilian versions with a nice glossy powder coat frame.  That might make it easier on the resto.  If there's a slim to none chance of making this thing authentic, then I have pretty broad guidelines.  Maybe I can put some parts off my Duc 999 on there 
  Anyhow, I did manage to locate the frame # (22402) and the engine # (as stated earlier, it's a '43 BSA).  I suppose if the project starts too look too ominous, it might be worth selling for parts.  There's gotta be people out there in need of fronts forks, BSA motor, carb, etc.

Thanks again for your input.  It's always welcome.

Scott

P.S. you were right, I picked it up in the middle east, Iraq to be specific.