Met this Guy today

[Sniper]

http://www.rustynuts.co.nz/default.aspx?PageID=42

Absolute bloody legend. Rocked into work at 0730 this morning asking for a place to work on his bike and I gave him a hand. Managed to get an old 1952 BSA stripped apart to find the fault (No compression) and when we found the faulty valve had everything done and back in place by 1530

So today I learnt how to strip, clean, find faults, fix and service an old BSA. Fuck Im stoked and its all thanks to Ian!

[MSTRS:Me]

Try doing that with your average Jap 4stroke multi

[Lou Girardin]

Try doing that with your average Jap 4stroke multi

Never need to.

[Motu]

So what was the 1952 BSA? a B31,B33,A7,A10?? Or atleast was it a twin or single? Most likely a B31 if it lost compression and was giving trouble...singles need compression.I could pull the head off a B31 anywhere,and have done many times....with a 1/4 whitworth openender,and a screwdriver and something to hit the screwdriver with - to undo the big glandnut on the top of the pushrod tube.My ''mate'' sold his B31 with my Goldstar cams in it....I took them out and fitted his standard cams while he was inside having lunch.Nice bike the B31...

[John]

Never need to.

And if you do its cheaper to replace the bike

Congrats on the work though!, its a good feeling learning by doing - I experienced my first rebuild about 5 years ago, gotten abit rusty now - but I'm getting better

[Ixion]

So what was the 1952 BSA? a B31,B33,A7,A10?? Or atleast was it a twin or single? Most likely a B31 if it lost compression and was giving trouble...singles need compression.I could pull the head off a B31 anywhere,and have done many times....with a 1/4 whitworth openender,and a screwdriver and something to hit the screwdriver with - to undo the big glandnut on the top of the pushrod tube.My ''mate'' sold his B31 with my Goldstar cams in it....I took them out and fitted his standard cams while he was inside having lunch.Nice bike the B31...

Yep. One of the few things to say about the old Briddish iron was it was fast to fix (Just as well, considering how often it needed it). Used to be able to blow a head gasket on the Speed Twin on the way home from work, chug home on one cylinder. Have dinner, afterward take a gasket from my stock (yes it did happen that often. Yes I did get the heads/barrels planed etc), strip the head off , put in new gasket, reassemble, and be done and all cleaned up in time to watch the late news. And ride to work the next day.

[Ixion]

....with a 1/4 whitworth openender,and a screwdriver and something to hit the screwdriver with - to undo the big glandnut on the top of the pushrod tube....

Most important tool in the mechanics box A BLOODY BIG HAMMER. Most important word in the mechanics lexicon - "judicious"

[Motu]

Yep,the old British bikes broke down a lot - but 90% of the time it was attributable to stupidity and ignorance, most of the oil leaks caused by ham fistedness..

I wouldn't trade any of my days or nights broken down on the side of the road - and the subsequent repair,for 1000 safe boring trips on a souless and reliable bike.Character building - imagine how tedious and boring my posts would be if I hadn't spent all that time learning to be a caricature.

[What?]

Ive known Ian for 12-14 years now. Damned keen bike man and general good bastard. (and after doing the Cross on a 50, a hard bastard, too)

[Stevo]

That man deserves a DB

[Fryin Finn]

I once stripped down my XR 250 to the crankcases in my girlfriends bedroom.
left a bit of oil in the carpet. Good for it.

[Lias]

That man deserves a DB

Hell no, he deserves a REAL beer :-P

[Ixion]

Hell no, he deserves a REAL beer :-P

If it ain't Speights - it ain't beer.

[XP@]

Met him a few times, max respect to someone who has the patience and persistance to sit on a 50cc all day and night, then do it again ... and again ...

A very much under-sung Kiwi Legend.

[Ghost Lemur]

Did you tell him to join us?