Newbie with BSA 1954 B31 twin-shock

[ajberrow]

Hello, all.

Having read several posts, I can see you're a friendly group and I look forward to conversation with you.

I have just been gifted a BSA 1954 B31 twin-shock.

I have stripped it down a little and discovered that the tank is in need of lots of TLC, the brakes bind badly and that the wiring is a disaster area.

Several questions to start off with :

1. What are the best products to clean, de-rust and seal the tank?

2. How can I test the magneto and dynamo?

3. Is it worth converting to 12V so that I can put decent lighting in?

4. Should I convert to negative earth?

5. Can I buy a kit to convert the headlight to a modern bulb, eg H4 or even HID?

6. Are brake parts easily available?

7. Which web sites are recommended for buying new bits for the 'bike?

Thanks in advance,

Anthony

[Revband]

Wow lots of questions here.

1. Put some small nuts screws etc in the tank and keep shaking it around to remove all the loose rust and crap, when satisfied use Petseal or similar tank sealer.

2. Magneto connect a spark plug to lead and touch the plug to the mag body and turn the mag to see if it sparks. Dynamo, using 6v lead acid battery connect positive to case and negative to D & F linked together if the Dynamo runs like a motor it is OK.

3. No.

4. Your choice, but no real point.

5. Contact Paul Goff,  http://www.norbsa02.freeuk.com/index.htm

6. Yes

7. Burton Bike Bits, Draganfly, Lyford classic's plus many others

HTH
Dennis.

[classic48]

Anthony,
    At the risk of stating the obvious have you tried ebay.occasionaly I have found buisinesses in the vintage bike resto game advertise here.As well don't restrict yourself in your search,an example,I just recieved a wiring loom for my wifes D1 beesa from England to Australia.Purchased it on ebay,UK chapter.Also surf the net for international like forums for info & parts.Good luck with the resto,wouldn't mind seeing some pix.
                         Cheers from Down Under
                         LEITH                       
  PS try http://ebay.com.au    as oppossed to  http://ebay.co.uk

[ajberrow]

Thanks, both. Very useful information.

There are pictures in the Photos section of www.anthonyberrow.com

[Revband]

H Anthony

Had a look at the pictures on your web site, the bike looks to be complete and an excellent base to restore.

As Classic 48 says ebay is a good source of supply, I recently found a set of piston rings from a supplier in Australia which could not be found in the UK.

The bike as I said is pretty much complete, it is far better to restore the original parts where possible as the fit of some pattern parts can be very iffy to say the least.

I have two B31s a 1955 model and a 1946 model, the 1955 model has the gearbox stamped the same as yours with XX above the STD marking, the STD indicates a standard gearbox but yours is only the second I have seen marked XX and have been unable to find the reason for this marking, if you ever find out what it is I would love to know.

Regards
Dennis.

[ajberrow]

I have two B31s a 1955 model and a 1946 model, the 1955 model has the gearbox stamped the same as yours with XX above the STD marking, the STD indicates a standard gearbox but yours is only the second I have seen marked XX and have been unable to find the reason for this marking, if you ever find out what it is I would love to know.

Dennis,

If I find out, I will make sure I let you know - not that I can see these markings in the photos - I'll look more closely.

I'm ordering some stuff from Frost's today to clean, derust and seal the petrol tank.

I took the carb off yesterday and will give that a thorough overhaul and replace any worn parts before I move on to the ignition system; after that, charging system, get it started and give it a severe cleanup.

I don't intend trying to make it look pristine - I like the fact that it looks old and worn and want to keep that feel to it.

And thanks again for the information.

Regards,

Anthony

[ajberrow]

Another quick question :

There's no evidence of an air filter ever having been fitted.

Should I buy a little pancake style filter?

Cheers

[Revband]

The bike would not have had an air filter fitted when new, if you do decide to fit one the carb will need re jetting to suit.

[ajberrow]

The bike would not have had an air filter fitted when new, if you do decide to fit one the carb will need re jetting to suit.

Thank-you.