Author Topic: bsa round tank  (Read 5910 times)

Offline chrish

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bsa round tank
« on: August 16, 2010, 06:45:04 PM »
hello have just got a 1925 b25,its the first old bike for me,and the lubrication system with the hand pump is very new to me.i would like to know what is the correct way to start the engine. i have heard that you have to prime it with oil with the hand pump,but how mainy times.once or someone said four times.please can someone help thanks

Offline 33d6

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Re: bsa round tank
« Reply #1 on: August 17, 2010, 01:59:38 AM »

The safest way for you is to get an owners handbook from the VMCC Library and follow the makers instructions. They are on line at www.vmcc.net You should also get a spare parts list for it as well so you can check that everything is as it left the factory. It is important to be sure no one has altered or removed parts of the pumping system so that the system works as the maker intended. It's amazing what can happen to a bike that has been around for 80 years or so.

Assuming all is as it left the factory the general advice for all total loss systems is to adjust the drip feed until the exhaust gives off a smoky haze with a distinct little puff when you blip the throttle. This is fine for an engine built to original standards but if it has been rebored since new the chances are it has had a modern oil control ring fitted to the piston so it won't puff smoke no matter how much you increase the oil.  In this case all you can do is count the drips in the oil feed. Start off with a generous 50 or so drips a minute and cut down a little at a time if the road behind you disappears in the smoke. Just remember over oiling causes less problems than under oiling and is cheaper in the long run.
 
You don't need to prime the engine with several pumps of the handle before you start, and how often you operate the pump can depend on how much oil is in the tank. Any straight 40 or 50 grade oil will do. Multigrade oils are pointless as the oil is pumped in, gets used and is thrown out. Personally I use a plain two-stroke oil as it is a straight 50 base with various additives to keep the internals clean. Stick to the same grade as every time you change the oiling rate will change with it so you have to start afresh.

Have fun, 

Offline chrish

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Re: bsa round tank
« Reply #2 on: August 17, 2010, 07:24:08 PM »
thanks for the info,the bikes plumbing looks good and drips well.much looking forward to my first trip.cheers

Offline 33d6

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Re: bsa round tank
« Reply #3 on: August 18, 2010, 08:00:14 AM »
Just remember that a hand oil pump is independent of the engine and it will keep dripping oil into the engine after you have stopped it  until the plunger has risen fully. This means you will have effectively primed the engine with a little oil for the next start.
Most people I know don't like to leave the bike parked with the pump plunger extended as it is vulnerable to damage and people will fiddle with it, so they push it down and secure it with the built in clip. Just remember to flick the clip off when you ride off next time. As soon as the plunger starts rising it is pumping oil into the engine.

It sounds complicated but it's not. You'll be surprised how quickly you get in to the vintage routine and enter a totally different motorcycling world.
Cheers,