1962 BSA B40

[bgreene30]

Hi everyone. I'm new here and was hoping you could steer me in the right direction. I'm thinking of starting my first bike restoration project and would like to know if anyone could tell me if this is a 1962 B40 big single? If so would it be a good resto to get my feet wet as it seems to be complete?

Would it be feasable to restore like the photo on your webpage gallery of the maroon one titled BSA 350 single? Would it be better to restore like the red 67 B40?

Please help and thanks in advance.

[Goldy]

No this is not a "big single" that refers to the BSA Gold Star models ZB, BB, DBD etc but I would say that it is a good bike to restore. There does not seem to be many parts missing and a single is a fairly easy restoration. If it is a B40 the frame number and engine number will begin B40 ...... There are plenty of spare parts available, many are being re made, but get them from reputable source.  The colour is up to you, but this depends if you want it to be completely original or not. If so I think that year B40 was black or red only. All the best.

[bgreene30]

Thanks for your help. I do appreciate you taking the time to respond. Can you reccomend any reputable parts dealers in the states or abroad?

Thanks.

[Goldy]

There are lots in the UK.                                                  C & D Autos  http://pages.eidosnet.co.uk/~canddautos/                       Draganfly Motorcycles http://www.draganfly.co.uk/main.html                      have good stocks and supply mail order.

[bgreene30]

Thanks much Goldy. I actually bought two bikes and from running the engine and tank vins one is a 1962 B40 Star made in England for the UK market and a 1963 B40 Star USA made for the US market and appartently called a B40 Sportsman 350 in the US.

I fancy the 62 a wee bit more because of the larger gas tank, straight black metal shocks and handle bars.

I can only find photos of the red version of the 62. Mine has a chrome and red tank, black oil side tank and chrome fenders. Did they originally come with chromed fenders on the 62 or painted?

I will do the restoration as original and with my da. Can you recomend the best manual that also identifies the special engine tools needed for the rebuild? I will send out the machining and boring if needed but would like to do the rest and need some guidance.

Cheers.
Bobby

[Goldy]

I don't know about the US models but the UK B40 would have painted mudguards (fenders). The sports model which had higher compression piston was called the SS90 and had chrome mudguards.  There is a lot of info in a UK book - Gold Star and other singles by Roy Bacon published by Osprey Collectors Library.
The best manual is the original BSA Service Sheets. It's a blue booklet simply named BSA service sheets and the one you require is for models 250 and 350 C15/T/S/SS and B40 These are still available from parts suppliers and E bay. They are also available online -    http://www.britishonly.com/default.asp but a lot are missing.                                                                         The BSA owners club might be of interest as they have branches in the US.
I restored a C15 some years ago. This is identical to the B40 but is 250cc. The main problems are removing the swing arm bush which is a press fit, and dismantling and re building the flywheel assembly, also a press fit.  Otherwise a straight-forward bike. All the best.

[bgreene30]

Thanks for all the help. I went to 3 shops friday and they didn't have any way of getting the frame into the press to press out the top roll pin to seperate the frame from the swingarm.  Any suggestions? I've ordered a haynes manual but it hasn;t arrived yet. Maybe heat it and beat it out with a brass drift?

How does the bottom part of the swingarm/frame disconnect?
Thanks,
Happy Easter
Bobby