Forum

[Phil (PJ) Berks]

Hi Alan,

As Tim has said and I would totally agree an SRM conversion of the crank is a must……I had a 1968 650 Lightning back in the 70’s which suffered and engine failure at three figures mph two up…. Fortunately we coasted to a stop and got home on one cylinder…….On taking the head off nothing seemed to be amiss until I cranked it over to find that the left piston was stationary….Removing the barrel revealed a chunk out of the skirt of the left barrel and the dudgeon pin shoulders had come away from the piston crown….I was lucky as I got away with a rebore and a new set of Power Max pistons…..The cause I later found out was the timing side plain bush had worn allowing the crank to have too much lateral movement so one to be aware off.......

I have to say my 1961 Connie was much smoother probably due to the fact that they had dynamically balanced nodular iron cranks if memory serves......

Sadly no longer riding as the last Enfield and the deplorable state of our roads as finally finished off the Prostate so be warned!!!.......Good luck in your quest in things BSA……Phil

[apparently lucky eddie]

Hi Alan, there's a nice looking 1970 Thunderbolt at Cotswold Classics. Has a 750 conversion and SRM rebuild but at £4,250 they want top dollar as ever but might go for discount for £ notes. The buggers have a habit of keeping any interesting number plates though and re-registering so be aware of that.
Why would any one want to go for a modern japper? Better off spending the money on a head doctor if you ask me, bertie! Old Brit bikes don't all leak and certainly don't need to. Spending all my spare cash on a '63 Tiger 90 was the best move I ever made bike-wise, what a cracking little bike with non of the vibes of a big twin.

[Alan R]

Hi guys-----------and a "Welcome back" there to TIM G ( which now stands for Guzzi, I think ??) and a "Hello" to PHILL PJ (Berks)...my "home" county in more than one sense of the word !!----------------------- Thanks for those informative and supportive words, lads...I'm lucky in that two of my close riding buddies are BSA "aficionados", indeed one owns a Thunderbolt already and knows the engine INTIMATELY !!---- and the other bit of good luck is that SRM at Aberystwyth are about 90 miles from here in Telford .... a comfortable days trip !!---- So with the vibes and stuff falling off etc, coupled with a good after market supplier and engineering facilities, it should be like owning an Enfield then ?? I'm warming to it already---- Cheers guys, thanks for your input--------------- Alan R

[Alan R]

-and ANOTHER flies lower than sound can detect !!----------- Hello A.L. EDDIE !!, Tiger 90 eh ? Theres a sporty little machine and no mistake !...OH,..... GROAN!!!!! Have just seen the Cotswolds Classics Thunderbolt..http://www.cotswold-classics.co.uk/view ... 8....Isn't that a beauty ?? And the better type of 2LS as well...All new SRM innards etc.....Now who can I tap-up for an interest-free loan ???( Dream - on !!)......

[Beezabryan]

Why not trundle over to Clay Cross and have a look at that A65 yourself. ... It looks like the one I saw a few weeksa ago. If so I think it a good usuable machine, as for the price, buggered if I know really but it could well be negotiable. ... Bill Lomas Motorcycles is a family business that started way back with Bill's dad and now run by Bill's son Tim. He is a good guy but does not suffer fools gladly

[Bertie the Bullet]

Alan you've had more bikes than I've had hot dinners, I feel kind of inadequate now lol, guess you know what your talking about, im envious of the 750a's , I have a 400a that I keep meaning to put up for sale as its a bit small for me and hope to save my pennies for a 750a in a year or Two.

[Alan R]

Hi guys--------- BERTIE... this, my second 750 HONDAMATIC has had the engine professionally overhauled by JOHN WYATT of Rising Sun Restorations, Wetherby, Yorks ---- Here's the man himself }----- http://www.tobyfolwick.com/tx750/i/cb1194a.jpg ------whilst I've been cleaning and refurbishing the rolling chassis------ and, after the GL1000 Goldwing relents it's place on the Hydraulic table ie SOON !!! then the auto will be up and re-united with its' engine......It's planned to be back on the road in Spring,2015 so if you're interested at that time you're welcome to come and have a look/drive if you want to ????----------Did I mentioned the 5 Moto Guzzis plus the 5 Morris Minors over the same years ??

[Riggers]

Hi Alan - I'd save your pennies up for a bit longer and buy this ....http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2013-Honda-CB ... 5659239ff2 I went to see it the other day and I don't think I've ever seen such a pretty motorcycle in my life. You could ride it until He Who Invented Growing Old decides you can't any more, and then put it in a glass case in your lounge and spend wonderful evenings just drinking tea and staring at it with a grin from ear to ear!!! Happy birthday for 3 days ago mate!! Tony.

[Alan R]

Hi matey !!----------CRIPES !!& Ye Gods........wot a stunner......At £8K it's just a trifle outside my fiscal remit though.... Yes--64 and still Rockin & Rollin, much to Joyces chargrin .... But she still rides pillion with me, though it's only up to 60mph max. these days...

[Bertie the Bullet]

Hi Alan, I may take you up on that..Its just nice to actually talk to someone that appreciates the Hondamatic, it is a fantastic bike, most bikers turn their nose up just because it dosnt have a clutch, something i can never understand...Anyway im jealous !