Glaciers Move at Slow Speeds Too

It's either as hot as the infernal bowels of hell, or raining in biblical proportions these days, so very little riding is getting done (not much garage time either).  On the other hand, it's ideal to make lots of phone calls, emails, and get plenty of research done and design ideas worked out.

For example, I've been toying around with a custom badge for the side cover of the bike, and I think this would look nice:

I thought it looked nice, so I made one for a CB350 for fun:

(The wife says no.  We'll see.)

I also finalized that Amal DOES INDEED make the 626 carb in the premier setup, but I've found most dealers to be complete pains in the ass when it comes to ordering one with my specs.  Apparently, there's basically only 1 or 2 distributors here in the states, and they haven't yet stocked them.  I'll get it eventually, even if I have to order it from the UK...

Additionally, I got in touch with Cliff Meyer, the sheet metal genius behind MeyerBuilt Metalworks, and if all the pieces fall into place, he'll hopefully be building my tank and tail.  Here's some of his work:

It looks like I'll also be getting the headlight from Benjis Cafe, since I want to eliminate the big clunky gear cluster, and do a speedo-in-headlight setup.  That means a tach delete plate, but I'm not planning on red-lining it, so I don't really NEED it.

Lastly, I'm still contemplating how I want to do a painted tank, and this version looks beautiful!

Although, I'm not sure about the 2-tone tail.  I love using the polished aluminum as a design aspect.  OOH!!!

Oh yeah, one last thing, I forgot to mention that I'm thinking very hard about clear anodization of the polished aluminum parts.  Awesome.

Y, Oh Y!!!

I've spent all day compiling research for the bike, and I've come to a realization about "Y" everything has been an uphill battle, as far as parts are concerned.  It has everything to do with the "Y".

Now, this isn't my motor, but is an example of a "Y" bike.  What does that mean?  It means that between 1967 and 1970, the BSA Motorcycle Co. was asleep at the wheel when it came to everything, including the VIN numbers, and even the model years of their bikes.  From what I've gathered:

a) BSA had thousands of 1967 model bikes, and they made updates to them and resold them as 1968, 69, and 70 models, while still retaining the original 1967 paperwork.  Some confusion occurs due to the extra stamping of the "Y" after the VIN on the engine cases.

or

b) The factory fucked up.

or

c)  Who the hell knows?

Bottom line: I'm not the only one with this issue, and I'm 99% certain that my '67 BSA A50 is actually a '69/'70 model that was confusingly titled as a '67... whatever.  What does that mean?

Well, it means that I'll be using the '69/'70 books as parts reference for one.  Other then that, very little is different between the years, so it's not as bad as it could be.  If I were going back to stock, I'd be in bad shape, but I'm not, so it's all good!

Doing Cart-Wheels

One of the toughest things that I've had to deal with is the rear axle.  The DPO (Damn Previous Owner) had rigged some ridiculous replacement axle bolt with some nonsense part and a big crappy stripped nut that wouldn't come off.  The wheel was wobbly, poorly attached and just plain boogered up.  It was something that I had tried to repair during bike build 1.0 in 2004, after putting in new wheel bearings, but never got right.

My dad, when he had the bike in Texas, started to tackle the issue and thankfully was able to track down the right axle part and bought it.  Of course, in true aftermarket style, it didn't fit with the new bearings, and got boxed up.  (Technically called a Fixed Spindle: 68-6121)

Last week, I took the wheel and axle over to Mark's garage, since I wasn't sure if I was supposed to press fit the axle into the bearing or not.  I was not.  He helped me set it up in the lathe, and we shaved a few thousandths off, and lo and behold, fit right in perfectly.  The wheel, including the speedo and everything, went together like a glove in about 10 minutes.

Yes, the rear brakes are fitted perfectly, the axle is straight as an arrow, the wheel is perfectly centered and I'm very happy!  If only the rest of the build would go the easily.

Amal Retentive

Let's talk about the carburetor.  Specifically, which one I'm going to use.

In 1967, the A50 was outfitted with a single Monobloc 376.  While that's a perfectly fine carb, BSA switched to the newer Amal MK.1 Concentric in 1969.  Specifically, the 626, which is what I assume came originally on my bike.  Of course, here's where it gets funky.

My bike (which I'm finding has had more and more half-assed fixes and weird modifications) came with a crappy chromed-out Amal 928.  It's a bigger carb that was used on the A65 Thunderbolt, and it's surprisingly rare, compared to the 930, which can be found everywhere.  Upon examination, it's so warped and boogered up that it's getting ditched for a brand new one, which are luckily still being made.

So, you might think, "Hey, just order the 626 like the factory says and be done with it." Fair enough... BUT, the new 928s are being made to awesome new specs, while the 626s are still being made the old fashioned way.  Is it a big difference?  YES!

The new slides are being made by completely machining them from an all new alloy that prevents the sticking issues with the old style (a big deal).  The fuel tickler (this was pre-choke era) is also redesigned so that it doesn't leak gas everywhere, and the body construction is much cleaner than the old versions.  All in all, it's a much better build that its' predecessor.

I'm no expert at this stuff, and there's a lot of details that have to be done just right, such as the needle jet, the needle position, the main jet, the pilot, ect.  Of course, there's also the option of switching to even newer type of carb, like a Mikuni or a Keihin, and getting features like a choke.  My current thought is to get the 928, but have all the jets set to the 626 specs, but I really don't want to set my new engine on fire.

**EDIT**  Upon further research and good f*cking timing, I've learned that the 626 carb IS INDEED being made to new premier quality now, and I can get one set up with my factory specs from the retailer.  Done deal.  So... basically ignore everything I've just said.

I'm a dirty, dirty slacker.

Okay.  It's been forever and a day since I last updated.  I apologize.  I started a new job, so that's soaked up some of my time, but the big fat hickey on the neck of the issue is that Indianapolis has experienced an unprecedented heat wave of biblical proportions.  I think it even rained frogs once.  Point being, is that if it's 100 degrees outside (which it has been) it's 130 in my garage.  Add the fact that the BSA motor genius who has been my Obi-Wan Kenobi, owns an industrial painting company and it's his busy season, so we have an understandable hiatus.

BUT...  I haven't been completely idle.  In fact, I traveled to Shit-Stain, Ohio for the AMA Vintage Days, where I purchased a handful of sexy parts at 1/4th their regular price.  Keen readers will remember that Vintage Days (circa 2004) is where I purchased the BSA in the first place.  For $400.  From an awesome guy named Steve, of whom I've kept in contact.

Sadly, Vintage Days is a shadow of its' former self, but I was fortunate to find 2 stock A65s that I could take reference photos and figure out the insane 2-piece, quick change rear axle.  That, plus the fact that I bought a replacement triple-tree for $25 made the trip worth while.

I did, however, get to renew my membership in the Ohio Valley BSA Owners Club, and I saw a sprinkling of amazing stuff.  For example, a fabulous Contessa:

Also, a Ducati Brio:

All in all, it was a good day.  But.  Not as good as today.

On Thursday, I went to Mark's garage and we put the new rear half-shaft on the lathe to trim it to fit the new bearings.  It's now a perfect fit.  Today, for the first time ever, I fitted the bits back together and the rear axle is finally complete.  I did some test fitting with a handful of other parts and was blown away.  It's actually starting to look like a motorcycle.  I plopped the old tank on there for fitting, and I'm very excited about the sexy "pitbull" stance that this little bike has... But don't take my word for it, check it out for yourself:

Dear modern motorcycle manufacturers:  WAKE UP!!!  We want this.  No more plastic cowled nightmares.  Sex appeal is made of iron.

Today's big revelation is that I'm keeping the front fender.  Initially I thought it would look silly in the cafe/scrambler theme I'm going for, but I was wrong.  It's sexy as heck!  (PLUS, if I end up hating it, I can just take it off.)


I really can't stop looking at the mockup photo (above).  This bike has a bulldog flavor.  It's compact, thick, and nothing put punch.  Today was a good day.