Intro

[Ysbytymike]

Just like to introduce myself to be polite. Name is Mike Davies and I live in South Wales. Been riding since the early seventies, although this is my first venture into the
'Classic Scene', so to speak. Had a number of bikes over the years, ranging from Honda's, BMW's, Yamaha's and now a 1957 B31. Still have one of my
favourite bikes, as well as the BSA, and that is my (98) 'Africa Twin RD07'. Had a few RD04's but made the mistake of selling them on. Usually after spending
many many hours and hundreds of pounds bringing them back to life.

As I mentioned. This is my first foray into the true classic world so please excuse any stupid question I might ask until I'm able to get to grips with
what's involved in owning and running a piece of 'British Biking' history.
One question I should like to ask at the outset, is about fuel additive? I've read here somewhere that its not really necessary - Is this the case? Or it it just some
bikes are able to run on unleaded better than others?

I'm enclosing a picture of my bike with this posting, but unsure as a new member if it is allowed to be posted until I have 'x' amount of posts to my name.

Thanks for taking the time to read this.
Ysbyty

[Bentley eight]

Hi Mike,
And welcome to the forum,
Ive not been a member very long myself and i did move from Mid- Wales (BALA LAKE area) to here france,
Like you ive had a rook of bikes and still have 6 now, one being the BSA 650 Rocket, and again like you ive nearly cried when i think of the bikes ive sold in the past after spending time & money getting them up to A1 condition, "hence i put a stop to selling on the bikes and just kept them".

Ref the fuel for the BSA, the one i bought had had a complete engine strip/ etc from a well known racer at the time a bloke called 'VIKERS' and he'd put new hard top valves in this BSA, so ive not had to worry about the fuel, but i not honestly know what the original valves we're ie hard or soft.

Having said this ive an classic citroen 2 cv and its the original engine in it and these cv's we're made with hard top valves from the first editions all those years ago and this car has unleaded in it all the time,

If you want to get hold of your local branch of the BSA owners club im sure one of the members will be able to give you some sound advice ref this one,
just google BSA owners for your area and you should get the contact details,
It's better to get details from the likes of these clubs and sleep well at night rather than not being sure?  Even think about joining the BSA owners if your not already a member.

But back to the BSA you've got, Great sounding bike and mine is a joy to ride,  You've picked a good classic one (keep hold of it

[Ysbytymike]

Thanks for the reply Bentley eight. I have looked at the BSA club (not actually sure if I've already joined at some point)! Bought the bike back inSeptember 2011
as an investment but after buying a few classic magazines and seeing and listening (youtube) to them on the road, I gotta ride it. So, insured her today and ready
for the off whenever I get a dry spell. Not the rain that worries my but a wet road throwing up all that salt.

Where in France are you? Not that I know the place very well but been to 'Northern Brittany' several time and love the area. Bit like West Wales but with good food.
(joking) all you westies.

[mark2]

your bike will run fine on unleaded (mine has) watch the front brake plate tie rod , anchor rod thing , look for any signs of cracking at the brake plate , the b31/33 are great bikes

[Ysbytymike]

Cheers Mark. I've been told, as its a (57) it has a an alloy front brake housing. Apparently they only used alloy on that year's model.
Unsure if perhaps it proved to be less efficient than the original and if your warning about cracking, still applies?

[mark2]

yes this is the ariel hub , the front brake is not very good , a lot have changed to the earlier 8inch single side BSA iron hub (as I have myself) still crap but slightly better , its really peace of mind as this ariel hub can fail

[Bentley eight]

your bike will run fine on unleaded (mine has) watch the front brake plate tie rod , anchor rod thing , look for any signs of cracking at the brake plate , the b31/33 are great bikes

Hi mike,
Im some 400 miles from the crossing from Dover, it's about the middle of france, very country feeling "but we do get a summer here every year,
When i lived in mid-wales the weather always seemed wet and because of the country roads the bikers death rates we're high hence the police would offten pull us over for complete checks, both paperwork and the bike inspected,
I was pulled over twice in one day and three miles from the first stop going in the same direction,
It really got on your nerves "but " as i say a lot of accidents and a lot of dead bikers,

Not all caused by the car vers the bike thing but the sheep wondering across the roads on bends and the very slippery roads due to the shaded sections of roads after rain and the speed some rode at didn't give them much chance of stopping.

Im pleased to say the roads here are well looked after by the local councils and as this area is such a small place thats a good point to note that the powers tobe do spend on the roads and the fact that we dont pay road tax makes you think what happens to all that road tax being collected in the uk.?

Anyway as i said check to see your engine is ok for unleaded with the right people,  "You'll be sorry if you get it wrong"

[Ysbytymike]

I live in Powys, so know what you mean about police and bikers. I see the establishment's point of view mind you. A lot of riders tend to come from the city and as such
are not really aware of the things you can come across in country lanes until its too late. Speed is also a factor and it really makes me cringe to sit outside the West End Cafe in Llandovery and listen to 50, 60 year old's bragging how they were doing a ton twenty down some straight on the way there. I thought you were supposed to get wiser as you aged! I'm mid sixties and my reaction's are nowhere near as fast as they were just a few years ago, and I ride all year round. Some of these people are just summer riders, so they are completely out of practice after a five to six month layoff. Plus the roads change over a winter period with gravel and potholes just two of the many traps waiting for the unwary, 'stupid'..

I loved riding in Brittany. Most of the time the smaller roads were so quiet, it was unusual to see a car! The big city's and town were of course, pretty much as here BUT the big difference was driver attitude out there. They see, expect, and respect biker where in this country its the opposite.

[mark2]

see you at the dragon this year

[Ysbytymike]

Sorry Mark, as mentioned new to this, so are there details available of the Dragon, date, location, ex-cetera? Hoping to get quite involved with the shows in 2015
if possible.

[mark2]

7th and 8th feb dragon rally north wales , one not to miss

[Ysbytymike]

Sounds good. Will do some searching. Cheers.

[mark2]

http://www.conwymotorcycleclub.org.uk/Dragon-Rally

[bikerbob]

Welcome to the forum, as regards using an additive I have always used one but if it is needed or not is up to debate. All I will say on the matter is it gives me peace of mind but if you do decide to use one then under no circumstances should you use different makes stick to one make. From what I have read it only affects the exhaust valve seats  and any problems are very slow in occurring.  Your bike like my BSA  A7 twin has a cast iron head and as such will not have valve seats fitted unlike my other bike a BSA A65 with alloy head which for obvious reasons has valve seats. If you are not sure what to do then there is a way of checking to see if your bike will suffer valve seat recession which is what can happen. First of all check and adjust your valve clearances then run the bike for 500 miles  then check again then do another 500 miles then a further 500 miles, if after 1500 miles the valve clearances have not  been reduced then your bike should be okay to run on unleaded without an additive. Also with regard to the alloy hubs my A7 has them and I had an A10 with them which I owned for 16 years and if set correctly they are as good as any BSA bikes of the era. They were used on the BSA in the years 1956-57 I believe that BSA which owned Ariel Motorcycle wished to use up existing stocks before the demise of the big Ariel twins and singles in 1959.

[john.k]

The Ariel f/w alloy brakes have a reputation for grabbing first thing,and causing nasty spills.Not to worry though,my Ariels all have  the half hubs,which give no trouble.As to valve burning,simply keep an eye on your exhaust tappet clearance.If it closes up,the valve or seat is receeding.Also, remove the sparkplug ,turn the motor over until you can see the valve margin.Burning is obvious.Regards John.