1968 BSA B25 Starfire

[2LZ]

Figured I'd start a thread on this, as well. Gentleman is delivering tomorrow around noon. Pics and info to follow. It doesn't run at the moment........but it's a BSA so I didn't expect it to. As long as it's as complete as the one pic I got, good enough. After all, it's a project, right?

[TominMO]

"but it's a BSA so I didn't expect it to....."

99.7% chance it's an electrical issue. Lucas was not called the Prince of Darkness for nothing.
https://www.hagerty.com/media/mainte...everyone-says/

Early this morning I was thinking about the motorcycles I have owned starting about 1967. All were Japanese except four: a Norton Atlas, a BSA Starfire, a Changjiang 750 sidecar and a genuine WW2 Zundap military sidecar. Plus my two recent Lifans. Probably about 20 Japanese bikes.

[cheesy]

The three positions of a Lucas headlight switch:

OFF

DIM

FLiCKER

I'll grab my hat and coat on the way out.

[2LZ]

Originally Posted by cheesy

The three positions of a Lucas headlight switch:

OFF

DIM

FLiCKER

I'll grab my hat and coat on the way out.

LOL! Expected, believe me. Not just because of the Prince of Darkness, but age alone. The Bearcat's harness was dried and cracked up...and it's Japanese!

Fortunately, I'm not the first Chinarider to do a Brit Bike in real-time. The Oldies here will remember Fastdoc's disastrous relationship with his BSA 441 Victor Special. I'm looking forward to the project and the challenges it will present......if the guy shows up today.

[McQueen216]

If it arrives today? What, is it coming from Texas?

[2LZ]

Originally Posted by McQueen216

If it arrives today? What, is it coming from Texas?

Delivery from Nevada.
He made it! Right on time! Super nice guy......and the bike is actually nicer than I was hoping for. Also, after doing a ton of research, it's not a 1968 but a 1967. Needs some TLC and I'll go through a few things since it's been in a container for years. The tires, tubes, and chain were new before it was stored and it's already been upgraded to electronic ignition. This is going to be fun and new......and I need to buy a set of Whitworth.

[TominMO]

Very nice!

[Bruces]

Really does look very nice .Let the swearing begin ,kick kick kick F@CK ,kick kick kick F@CK, kick kick kick F@CK , ..........
You know ,I bet a china engine swap would work well in there .I bet it could be done without cutting the bike up ,so the original stuff could be shelved for later install if desired .

[TominMO]

I remember a comment from long ago on British automobile manufacturing capabilities:

The British do a fine job of making burled walnut dashboards.

[2LZ]

Originally Posted by TominMO

I remember a comment from long ago on British automobile manufacturing capabilities:

The British do a fine job of making burled walnut dashboards.

Funny thing. Many moons ago, my X wife worked with a gal who was selling a white 1970 MGB, spoke wheels with knock-offs, and all. She wanted it badly. I put my foot down hard. "Nope! I'm the family mechanic and there's NO WAY that POS will end up in this driveway!" So, a week later, there it was. I was dreading it.

I popped the hood every morning before she went to the office and checked everything. Fired it and warmed it for her. That damn car never missed a beat in the two years we had it. Started every morning regardless of weather. Never broke down once. I was actually pissed when I lost it in the divorce. I ended up loving that little thing.

[TominMO]

I also had a 1970 MGB, in British Racing Green. In China. It had been imported by an Australian diplomat and was right-hand drive. I was told it was one of only two convertibles in China. Also had it for about two years, 1984 - 86. Stuck a pair of nice sidedraft carbs on it. Ran great.

[2LZ]

Started some tinkering on it yesterday. Found a few things like the chain guard was just sitting there with no bolts. It looks brand new. No scratched around the holes or marring. Got her secure now. Better fine tooth comb the whole thing. 56 years is a lot of hands with wrenches.
New seat foam coming. The old one dumps dandruff on the swingarm when I sit on it.

[2LZ]

So, I went checked out the Lucas wiring harness this evening and it looks super-clean. No marrs, scuffs, corroded connections. Looks at least as good as any China bike I've had, if not better than the Bearcat.

I've been all over the Brit bike forums and I do understand that Lucas stands for "Loose Unsoldered Connections and Splices"....but I'll fine tooth comb it, clean and dielectric grease every connection. From everything I've readon the Brit bike forums, this is the best thing to make it a reliable setup.

[2LZ]

Found a factory re-pop of the exact brochure of the same BSA B25, early 1967 bike, color and all. Had it laminated today. More stuff for the car show in July.

BTW...the new metal tank came in and of course, the color is as close as the fine folks in India thought it should be. Taking the tank, oil bag, and battery cover, to a painter to match it all up. Hopefully I can get him to match the tank to the side covers. He's "an old bike guy who does noting but custom paint and great work". We'll see.

[TominMO]

Putting this here for your reference: