Britbike forum Forums British Motorcycle specific Brands Bsa bulletin board Starting my B50 today

It's still dark outside and I'm waiting for the sun to come up and for it to warm up a bit....then I'm rolling the B50 (that's been sitting unfinished in the shop for YEARS!!!) out and going to be trying to start it.

Yesterday here in NC the rain came down in BUCKETS all day long so it was a wash out for a start up. Today they say the rain has moved on, so we're "going live" around 9 am.

I'm as much nervous as I am excited....I purchased this engine already "built"....a LONG time ago. Every thing looks good, carb jetting is a guess since the engine is 580cc with non stock exhaust, but it should be close enough to get some fire flying out of it. Fingers crossed.

Photos to follow.....come on sunrise.

Opie

Good luck, Gordon. Hope she fires quick and loud. Greg

Hope everything goes as planned. 580cc. is the engine built for high performance?

what do you mean "your" b50?

and btw, it's almost 10 your time, where's the updates?

That's exciting, Gordon. A beautiful machine, let us know how the first ride went.

...on pins and needles here in NorCal.

So, it's lunchtime at your place.
Are you sitting back and admiring your new ride or are you still trying to get the initial tuning set?
Tweek on Buddy!

Don in Nipomo

Gordon, I know you will like will like that ride. I very much liked my 441's , a Victor and a Shooting Star, but the B50 was a real treat. In fact, I traded riding bikes with Ben up at Brimfield a few years ago and he had himself a B50 by the next spring. IMO, it was the best BSA every had to offer. You get better brakes, better handling, more grunt, and a more comfortable riding position and better seat. I took off the signals and other stuff and replaced the levers with a dipper switch and horn combo, added a six plate clutch, oil filter, K&N Air filter, and rerouted the oil feed fore better circulation. I also installed one of those crankcase breather devices recommended by HP Stan (and it works) and put on a 1.5 inch exhaust pipe. If you like unit singles, you will be happy.

Good luck guy!

Mr Mike

YEE HAW!!!!!!

Okay after a SWMBO delay....I finally got gas in it. SWMBO insisted that she watch even after I explained the Brit Bike conundrum that increases your chances of it NOT starting when somebodies watching and an almost 100% certainty of a no-go if that someone is female. Didn't work...she had to watch.

Messed up right off the bat....turned on the main instead of the reserve.....duh...no tickle?????? (only put 1/2 gal in it) Took a bit to figure that one out....got it, no worries. Then came the "first kick".....nothing (take note: the kicker is just kissing the muffler...gota fix that ASAP) Second kick....it started. OH MY!!!!!! it's running after all this time. Check for oil return, okay. Sounds good with no smoke at all on new rings. Clicked it into first and off down the driveway.

Thought I better get a couple of photos of it now...because this is as clean as it will ever be....from now on it will be in different stages of dirty.





To answer the qusetion, yes.. the engine was built for better speed, big carb, big valves, 580cc. I got it geared pretty high so it's not a parking lot bike.

Still some tweaking to do but I'm as happy as a little girl.

Opie

That looks sooooo good! Beautiful.
Love the preoilinframe tank treatment.
I think it's your best yet.
Great lines, you really captured the correct balance of form and function.
:bigt

Don in Nipomo

Sweet

That's a good looking bike!

oohhhh yeah!
now...where'd u get that exhaust?

I WANT one.

btw...#1 b50 nearly done.
#2 b50 ..have the tires on rims and that's about IT!

If you're trying to make people believe that's a B44 with that school-bus yellow tank so you can surprise them off the line ... it's not going to work, the OIF lines are too classic!!

Really looks great, I like the short seat so it doesn't look like a banana, I never understood why stock B50 seats kicked up so hard in the back.

Slap some stock profile meats on those rims and do something about that tire-fender gap!

And let us know how it compares to a good-running B44 on the road! Pull, vibration, handling .... there's not many people that can give valid input on the subject around, and we've heard from almost all of them now!

Enjoy the ride.

Lannis

Soooooo sweet Gordon. You will be thrilled. I am running 18t/47T. Are you at a 19T? If you need clutch help I'll send you the answer. I'll bet that is a strong motor and you may need some extra clutch. Ed V always bores my cylinders and furnishes the pistons. I have never had one smoke from day one.

Lannis, that seat is the most comfortable I have ever had on a BSA. I have a nice solo seat seat but I put it on the B44. i am done on that seat after 50 miles.

Nice ride Gordon! We are connected now.



Mr Mike

Thanks for the kind words fellows....so far it's been a hoot. It never ceases to amaze me when ANY motorcycle I work on runs....I swear if I can get em to go anybody should be able to.

Lannis....I hear ya on the "fender gap". I can make up some brackets and lower the front....but couldn't see a way out of the space in the rear (see Mr Mike's) so I let it be...I can live with it. Tires??? I'll tell ya how long this poor thing has been sitting in the shop...Avon doesn't make those tires any more.


I tried to use a B25 oil filter (first and only filter I've ever used...since 1969) and it didn't have all the bits and peices. I thought I had it figured out but I have a leak in it and have to sort that out. BUT, if that's the worst thing I have to deal with....I'm still happy as a little girl.

The twitter sounds nice...so far no vibs and I was told with the old style piston in this kit it would shake...I guess I got lucky again. I got the shifting reversed and I'm having a bit of a problem remembering where I am with it. Power??? wow all I can say for now...it sure isn't a B44.

Mr Mike....I'm at 19/49 and so far the clutch is doing fine...but I've read and reread your postings on the clutch mods and can take care of it if it needs it.

More later....Opie

There is NOTHING correct about this poor bike. It started it's life out as a 1971 B50T

It now has.....

Modern tires
Modern handlebar mounted switches
H4 headlight w/pilot
Down pipe
Twitter muffler
Pegs moved up and back
Folding kicker
520 X ring chain
Ford emission valve
932 carb
580cc kit
Bigger valves
K&N sock filter
Li battery
Boyer EI
Pod
Single point grounds with all new wiring
Progressive Shocks
MX seat
TLS 8" front brake on an 18" rim
Reversed shifting
B25 oil filter

It's a mess but I'm hoping it'll be a fun ride.....so far so good.

Mr Mike....getting this thing on the stock centerstand is a real PIA...better stay away from that unless you can get a shorter one.

Opie

I have a B50SS with the 18" wheel. The front fender sits nice and snug.

There is a difference between 18" and the more common 19".

The mounting braces are obviously different but can be cut and rewelded. In this case it would mess the chrome though.
From memory the curvature is quite different though.

The brackets on the forks can be fitted incorrectly. They can go on both ways. I have a NOS front fender here and used that as a pattern to straighten an old 18" blade.

The fork mount brackets are a trick but can be fitted with the fender down.

What a great looking bike You have always been partial to singles and this bike shows why...Great job man

Your friends in Florida...Mike and Dave

Damn you Lannis

First off.....the experts should have noticed that the rear and front fenders on this bike have NOTHING to do with a BSA B50. If I have to tell you why...you're not an expert.

This isn't my first rodeo or front fender......please tell me what's wrong with this attachment. I'm always willing to learn something new.



Unless I'm missing something...and I might be. The way I see to lower this fender is to add a 4 hole plate (the kind norbsa used to make and sell) If I had wanted the bike to look like an SS, I would have gone to the trouble to lower the fender....look at a B50T's front fender...I didn't want it to look like that either.

I can live with it like it is.

Opie

Thank you Mike.....maybe we can spin a wheel together in 2014???

Your friend in NC Gordon (aka Opie)

I see you don't have that dreaded electrical box..a totally dumb idea. It will be nice to see where you located all the electrical stuff. I want to get rid of the box and so I can get at any electrical component in the event of the problem. To get at a coil, condenser, or a rectifier requires taking that electrical box apart...no simple task. I too installed a 32mm carb and ported the head to match. I stayed with the points as I find them relatively trouble free. Might go electronic ignition when I get rid of that electrical box. Got a 3.25 x 18 ribbed up front and a Dunlop copy 4x18 in the back. Back brake is poor..I need to study why as the shoes appear in good shape. Another nice thing is the speedo...it's the only clock on my bikes that works right.

Mr Mike

Hey Mr Mike,

You can see where I put the coil....used one of the brackets for the "box" to mount it and all the rest of the stuff (Boyer, Pod) are under the side cover on the left side....plenty of room and air flow in there. I would take a photo of it but it's kinda a rats nest right now.

Our bikes share something else too....the man who did the paint work. :bigt

I don't like decals...but will probably add some to this bike, just not sure which ones just yet.

See ya in May......Opie

Gordon, I don't often venture onto the BSA board, so I just saw this. Congratulations on the successful startup! Bike looks great. I hope you continue to enjoy it. I think I'd like the reverse shifting, if I could keep my mind straight.

Ray

Oh Geez, a fine looking and running bike after only a decade... dammit Goob, you are setting the bar awfully high for the slothful here.

Congrats anyway, looks like a pile of fun comin' up!

Looks really sweet Gordon, I like the cafe look to it too. The solo seat is a good idea, I think the duel seat appears to have the pillion wedged at the back of the rider.

How does she ride??

That's a kickass single!!!! nice job. I have a 67 B25 Starfire
and a 69 B-44VS Both are big fun!!!

That would be SO funny if it wasn't SO true....I'm going on 4 years on the hack project....but damnit it's NEXT!

Can I count them as dog years????

Thanks for all the kind remarks.

I know this bike isn't what a lot of people like. I didn't build it for somebody else,or to sell or win awards...I built it for me to ride and did it like I wanted....the "correct police" need to move on to the cookie cutter assemblies and leave me and my poor bitsa alone.

Opie

I'm with with MR. Mike on the comfort of the B50 dual seat. I'd even say it's the most comfortable Brit Bike seat I've every ridden. It makes the B44 seat feel like a wooden plank. Must admit I have very little natural padding!

Ben

Just one of those little things … Sorry I mentioned it!! That list of upgrades you noted are all exactly the right things to do. This could be an IDEAL 20th century single-cylinder Brit.

Only other thing about a B50 that’s always had me shying back from them …. And that’s Hot Starting. The kickstart ratio is funky to begin with …. And everyone I’ve ever known with a B50 has had hot-starting issues with it at some point, no matter how dialed-in the carb is and no matter how hot and well-timed the spark is and how good the compression is.

Mr. Mike has come as close as anyone I know with his oversized idle stop screw, and finding the trial-and-error setting to use to raise the slide a fraction depending on how hot the bike is when you restart. Yamaha used to have a hot-start lever on their big singles that would raise the slide a fraction when the bike was hot …. It’ll be interesting to see how you address this apparently timeless and universal problem … !

Lannis

Hey Lannis...the fender comment I got from you didn't bother me at all...I thought the same thing, just decided to let it be for now.

Hot starting problems????? You got me on that one. I've only ridden one other B50 and that was Ron T's. BUT....I've spent some time around Mr Ben's and I've never noticed a hot start problem with his. At the OSMR we were never waiting on him to get going.

Only time will tell if this bike will have a problem with it and I'll report on it if it does.

This bike is faster than I'm used to....something Richrd is going to like.

Take care and seeya in May.....Opie

I'm just full of advice today, but it's because I really like this bike ... Decals? Since this is a highly personalized bike, I'd probably ask one of our local artistes on the board here who's good at that kind of stuff to make up a "Gordon Gray Special" decal, whatever you think would express your feeling about the bike when you rode it......

Lannis

You know Lannis, that's not a bad idea at all. I've looked through a BUNCH of decals and a few are "close" but just not what I'm looking for.

There was a fellow (and bike) a few years back....who had a Shooting Star (B44) with a nice chromed tank and fixed up really nice. It was and still is my favorite BSA unit single (if you don't count the Enduro Stars or the Trials Cats) he had some decals made up for his....something like "Victor Clubman Special" or something like that. Nice touch.

I'll have to think about that one for a bit....but I like the idea.

Take care.....Opie

I was thinking of doing a similar thing for the next project.

Lannis has a point. I have found that virtually everything must be perfect for hot starts to be reliable. If you get one thing out it is not very forgiving. I have had many times when trying to hot start, it will pop once and stall....over and over again. My little adjustment screws seem to help me. Here's what I learned: For cold starts raise the slide 1/2 to 3/4 of a turn and richen the idle mixture about 1/4 to 1/2 a turn. For hot starts just raise the throttle slide about 1/2 turn. Then with the compression release bring it over TDC and give it a real healthy kick.... but before that look around to see if anyone is looking. If someone is looking it won't start. Sometimes I will go weeks with it starting right up all the time and then it will get an attitude and I have to go back thru everything. Some day I will put electronic ignition on it to eliminate a variable. But other than that it is a hoot to ride and easily my favorite motorbike. It has only let me down one time since I rebuilt it and that is when I broke a lifter. I was a couple of miles from the house after a 70-80 mile ride so it wasn't a big deal and fortunately it didn't tear anything else up. It has been otherwise pretty reliable now for about 5-6 years.


Mr Mike

Hey Gordon and Mike. Or anybody, for that matter...how have you solved the points wire entry hole behind the points cover? Is there a rubber boot/grommet for it? Mine had blue silicon when I bought it.

Bill

Bill (aka no name man)

What bike are you talking about???

The B44 is dry (well sort of...the points wires enter near the clutch arm with a rubber boot then pass between the outer and inner cover before they enter the points cavity) and has a plastic? tube protecting the wire where it enters the points cavity.

The B50 uses a rubber grommet....part number 60-3755. The wires run outside the engine before entering the points cavity. I had some in my stash that fit...not sure if they were correct or not but they worked.

Opie

The B50. I was told there was no part no. for it...incorrectly I reckon. Figured I'd try to find something that would do.
Thanks for that Gordon...

The part number in the 71 B50 manual shows the grommet for the B44 which is part number 41-0715. There are a lot of mistakes in that manual. They were largely corrected for the 72 manual and that part is in fact 60-3755. I was able to get one when I redid my bike.

Mr Mike

Hey Mike...yes, I easily obtained the grommet for the B44. The B50 one doesn't seem to be as easy to find. Where did you get it?

I like a GG the idea of a gordon gray special decal! it would be the only one in Springfield ne

A nice little GGS logo embroidered into the seat cover.
Contrasting stitching of course, Victor yellow.

Don in Nipomo

No name man.
I think I purchased all my grommets and small bits from British Only. That is before they went totally to an on-line ordering house. When I could no longer talk to someone, I took my business elsewhere.

Mr Mike

I like Lannis' idea about the logo. There is a trucking company in Illinois called Garland Gehrke. Their trucks have a big scripted GG on the side. It would work just as well for Gordon Gray. Here is their logo.

Ray

Nice Bike would'ya happen to have any close up piccys of the bike with out the fuel tank or with out the sidecovers thanks

how far do you think that can go on a tank of gas?

Well....no. But what are you trying to see??? maybe I can get a shot or two for you.

Richrd...I'm still trying to dial the carb in so I'm not paying much attention to mpg just yet. I've put a little under 200 miles on it so far (it has a working Smiths speedo.. wonder how long that'll last?) and it is a hoot to ride. PLENTY of power and I'm very happy with the way the OIF handles.

The carb is a AMAL 932 off a late model Norton 850. I guessed at the jetting/carb slide and I'm getting close.

I had a HECK of a time getting the B25 filter to quit leaking but I think I finally have that sorted out. I just came back from a 50 mile run and it's dry...so I'm happy.

Just can't come up with the right decal...not really up for anything with GG on it....Victor 500, Victor 500 Special, Falling Star 500, Bullet Beater ......

Hope you all are getting a little saddle time in.....spring is just around the corner :bigt

Opie

Gordon,
Here's my 932 carb setup on the B50; .106 Needle jet, mid position, 3.0 slide, 250 main. At 580 cc's you might get by with a 260 main. I'll send you my filter setup by private e-mail. Will be easy for you. BTW my speedo on the B50 is the only one I have that works. Never did anything to it.

Mr Mike

Does the spray tube have the 'hood' on it? Not sure how well that would work on a B50.

David...I don't have a clue what a "hood" spray tube is. This one has the stepped spray tube and I'm like you....not sure if I can get it dialed in on the B50. BUT that said, so far it starts in one or two kicks hot or cold....and idles fine.

Mr Mike...I set mine up just like yours. Haven't made it to my "main jet hill" yet...maybe this week.


Later fellers....GG

Mr Mike, I've followed your filter set up since you first started sharing that information.

I know the B25's filter is a bit of a mess but I do like how it fits and how well the hoses run. Not sure if it was a smart choice but the only down side so far was all those leaking old o-rings...once I got them replaced it's doing fine. YES...it is messy to change but I'm getting the hang of it and I've never minded getting my hands dirty.

Thanks for the information....I've got it saved in my BSA info and if the B25 set up gives me any more trouble....I'll go spin on.

Gordon

Well, I guess the hooded spray tube and the different thickness of the bash plates will continue to evade me.

Opie

AFAIK the cut away spray tube will allow more fuel at lower throttle openings, not sure why the Commandos needed to be any different.

If it does become an issue, you can always get a kickstarter cotter pin to tap out the old spray tube and carefully tap in the new one. A typical 4 stroke tube is not directional on its fitment.

In run a B44 with an MX cam on a late Commando 850Mk2A carb with stepped spray tube as I had a couple spare, works fine, mains is 290 with mute, 310 without. Hot starting is good if you restart immediately but if you leave it a few mins then I apply choke which I fitted, you have to take the choke off immediately as it 8 strokes as soon as its starts.

The stepped spray tube was fitted to cure a flat spot just off a closed throttle, if its too rich at this point you just need to amend the slide cutaway.

Hey little buddy....

I had thought about changing the tube....but right now I'm having trouble getting the air screw at it's 1 1/2 turns out. I'm pulling the carb this week and rechecking the pilot jet to be sure it's clear.

I'm probably going to bite the bullet and go ahead and get a new premier 932....should have done that anyway but I was trying to save a dime.

I can start the bike in one or two kicks and it runs okay but when I try to set the air screw I'm too far in....and next time I want to start it it won't until I turn the screw back out.

Heck, I gota $100 battery might as well drop $200 on a new carb and be done with it instead of messing with a carb that wasn't designed for the bike in the first place????

Cheers.....your friend Opie in NC, USA

I also use the choke for cold starting and only have to screw the extended throttle stop screw in 1 turn or so for first kick starting, no need to change the pilot mixture from its best warm idle speed setting. Why they did not fit a choke surprises me now I have one fitted and use it a lot.

That's good to hear kommando....this carb I have is in really good shape and I was hoping I could make it work. I'm going to recheck the pilot jet and the float level and try it again. I'm hoping something got hung up in the pilot. (fingers crossed)


I'd sure like to spend that $200 on something else. Hearing that you have used the same carb on a unit single...makes me feel a lot better.

I've worked with the "flat spot" off idle when I was setting up my B25 trials...amazing how the different slide cutaways act coming off idle.

Take care and thanks for the help....Opie

I left the choke off...because it looked like it wasn't used...if you go by the parts book. BUT....I use the choke on my B44VR all the time.

When I have the carb off this week I'll add a choke. :bigt

Thanks for the help kommando.....Gordon

Nice "modern" Goldie there Gordon!

Gordon still make the brackets Just a PM away.

Although you could probably use a 34 or 36 on that monster, I've got a couple of VM32 Mikuni's doing nothing here and you're welcome to try one. Once they are right, you'd never look at an AMAL the same way.

You know...I have purchased and used one Mik in all these years because the 850 Norton I had didn't come with carbs and I had to get something away. Being a singles man I figured one carb HAD to be better than two. That carb was a straight bolt on and go and I never had a problem with.

So.............since I did keep an extra adapter I'll keep that offer in the back of my mind Mike....thanks.

As well you know it's been just too damn cold to get it out of the shop and try it. I did take the carb off and was hoping it's pilot jet was blocked (can't get to the magic 1 1/2 turns out) but it was clear....damnit. So I added a choke and replaced the bowl with one I can drain. Reset the fuel level and set myself up to drill out the pilot if need be. If all this doesn't work. I'll replace it with something...just not sure yet with what.

Fingers crossed in NC....Opie

Hey Greg.....yes I hadn't forgotten about them. Let me think about it a bit....right now I'm not caring what it looks like so let me get it dialed in and I just might take a set of your brackets.

UPDATE!!!!!! WOW....I went to your web site and I'm thinking you LOWERED the price on them?????? You sure don't see that very often :bigt.

I'll be back with ya on it......Gordon (aka Opie)

Ewwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww... ....I don't care for what BSA decided to call it...to me it's a VICTOR.

So far it's more of a bike you or Mike B would like...it's way too fast for me....but I'm getting better with the reversed shifting and now have a tag on it so I can start taking it a little further from home. Just need for it to warm up a bit.

I sure miss you guys


Opie

Gordon, I should have a selection o spray tubes etc, let me know what you want to try

Hey Gordon,
I have a 32mm Mik but you will need to do some frame modifications to fit it up on the B50. I fit it to my B44 (no mods except air filter instead and it was a great carb...nice tickover and very smooth when I got it jetted right, but it wouldn't start cold so I have gone back to a 932 on the B44. It is matched to a ported head. The AMAL works as well as the Mik except that idle is not as smooth. On your B50, a choke may be the answer. I have a 932 AMAL with a ported head on the B50. I raise the throttle stop 3/4 of a turn and I also richen the mixture with the pilot air screw to get it started cold. And when it is warmed up I must remember to put these back where they were or it will not start easily when when hot. I have never used a choke on any of my BSA's...in fact I have taken them off, but maybe with a choke on the B50 I wouldn't have to adjust for cold starts.

I'll bet your B50 really scoots. Ben's is quicker than mine but he is about 40 pounds lighter than me. That extra power will grow on you. It is nice when you need to pass. You can drop it into third and get to 75mph quickly. They are great bikes. Ask Ben, it only took him one ride on mine to get hooked. If you like the back roads at 45-60mph you will love it and you'll have that extra stomp that the B44 does not have to get around an occasional slow poke.

Mr Mike

I had the pleasure of having lunch with Don Roe yesterday and he answered a dozen B50 questions for me. :bigt

Something's not right with the carb I have on it and I'm (for now) giving up on it. Still not 100% sure which way I'll go on the carb but thank you all for the kind offers.

Right now I've got a couple of other minor things to sort out on the bike and I'm saving my pennies for a new carb. With this weather I've already used up a winter's worth of fire wood and had to buy a load yesterday....damnit there went my "play" money.


I did get to ride the B50 a little this weekend....and got to open it up a bit holy cow....too much of that and I'll end up with a speeding ticket. 60 mph to 80 mph in a snap....yikes!!!!! and there was plenty more left.

More later....Opie

I have always been able to get an AMAL to work despite how clapped out they are. Get the right jets needle in good condition and a clean pilot circuit and they go pretty good. The may not idle well with a rattling slide but midrange and beyond should be OK. I did ua new carb for my B50 and the B44 got the hand-me-down. Because it is worn out I have to run the pilot very rich (screwed in) to get it to idle. At 1.5 turns it will barely run.

Ice storm today, better check my generator!!

Mr Mike

By the time you get to the rattling slide stage, the carb body and slide are clapped out.

Recently I tried dialing a 626 carb on a bantam for a friend. He reconned his big end was clapped out from the racket the slide was making (a new big end before you ask). I was fitting jets up to 190 (stock for that carb was 160) and still it was running lean, he thought it was because he had gone "big bore" on the bike (185cc) convinced otherwise, I anticipated the problem and thoroughly cleaned a VGC second hand carb I had as a spare. Dialed the jetting as normal and it ran best with a 150 main jet (as my old bantam used to of the same year, same carb!) using a good body and a chrome slide.

It is something you just cant tune out!

WOW!!!!!! What a day . The weather was beautiful here in the foothills with temps in the low 60s and clear blue skies. :bigt With work and weather fighting me I just haven't been able to sort the B50...well at least try out all the sorting.

While it sat in the shop waiting I.....

1. Was having some banging in the exhaust so I removed it and found it was in a bit of a bind...so I refit it correctly and sealed it with some high temp just for shits and giggles.

2. With Don Roe's help I adjusted the front brake....works fine now.

3. Installed a brand new 932 Premier carb and fitted a choke.

4. FINALLY found a washer that worked on the B25 filter bowl...dry as a bone now but it had been leaking a bit..that one was a pain, I'd think I had it sorted then it'd leak again.

5. Adjusted the clutch in 1/4 turn.

I got it out of the shop this morning and strobed the timing again....glad I did because it was off and it made a world of difference when I got it back right. Dontcha just love the way the B50 oils the timing light for ya?????

So then it was time to suit up and give it a spin....and spin it I did. I'll take the camera with me tomorrow but I was too busy today adjusting the carb and HAVING A BLAST!!!!!! Man this thing will fly and I'm not sure if I'll ever be happy with my B44s again . Started in one or two kicks hot or cold .....no oil leaks (for now) and once I sorted the carb it was a smooth as glass. I'm as happy as a little girl....EXCEPT......

The Smiths speedo gave up on me. I REALLY NEED a speedo on this bike or I'll end up with a ticket....so I'm thinking it over and will have some questions to ask on another thread. I want to keep a Smiths on this bike....and want to be sure of things like cable length (inside the drive and speedo) and such.

Photos tomorrow....I'm taking it for a ride in the mountains tomorrow now that I'm pretty sure the wheels won't fall off

Take care.....a happy Opie in NC

Photos tomorrow... film @ 11.


Don in Nipomo

Crap.....what a day. I probably did 50 miles yesterday and the bike preformed flawlessly. I was on the river road (my WFO road) and noticed that they had been doing some logging behind my house so I woke up early this morning and had a look around hoping to find a campsite or two.



In this photo my house is to my back...probably a quarter mile away and looking forward...that's the Yadkin River Valley.




My other hobby is American Indian Relics...you want to talk about packing...try sending a 800 year old pottery vessel across the US without breaking it.

Well I didn't even find a flake...just some fire cracked rocks....I should have known then and there that the day was going to go downhill (pun intended) from there.


I had all my honey dos done and SWMBO passed grace on me taking the bike up to the mountains. All I had to do was check the torque on the cylinder bolts and then check the valves...easy enough and soon I was set to go. On the ride to the gas station it "missed" one beat...I knew I was VERY low on fuel so I passed it off as a low fuel issue.

Pulled into the gas station and filled it up.....man oh man I was ready to go...mid 60s with clear blue skies.



Well...............it wasn't meant to be. I no more got out of the station and it started missing...starts and idles fine but misses when you try to get on the throttle. It sorta smooths out at speed but it's a mess. I turned around and came back home and have been messing with it all day...checked everything I could think of but still no joy. I put it away for the night and will get back to it tomorrow.

It ran fine yesterday....something's just gave up the ghost. I'll find it....but boy it's been a buzz killer.

Opie