Project 2

January 2000 - Completing Renovation
January 2000, Work on the frame started during the Christmas break. The bike is now a basket case, and the frame and swinging arm have been stripped to bear metal and are in the process of being repainted. As can be seen I have fixed a couple of wooden pillars in a work bench which have been drilled to take the engine mounting bolts, this will allow me to paint the whole frame in one go, whereas when stripping and priming, it was done in five sections. The swinging arm being some what easier, using two lengths of copper pipe and four bricks, I was able to paint the top half and then turn it over to complete it.
February 2000, I have been stripping down the wheel hubs with the intention of painting them and then getting them rebuilt with stainless steel rims and spokes. As there has been delays in getting the right paint I decided to polish them up so that the work can proceed. The hubs have been taken to Central Wheels in Birmingham to be rebuilt. They will have 18 inch WM2 Polished Stainless Steel Rims with stainless spokes, fitted with Dunlop K82 Tyres, 3.25 Front and 3.50 Rear. The side stand and foot brake pedal have been stripped and painted.
Before	After
March 2000, I have polished the fork legs and steering yokes. Originally the legs were not polished, but just fettled, and they have become quite pitted. As can be seen they have come up well after removing the pitting with emery, and I also filed away the join marks left by the casting mold.
Front wheel	Fork Legs
April 2000, The forks have now been re-assembled with new oil seals, and fitted back into the frame. I have made a board which the bike is standing on and this also keeps the front wheel steady while the parts are put back into the frame. The next phase is to finish of painting the black bits, and start work on the engine. I have removed the rocker box cover and will replace the oil seals on the rocker shafts and decompressor spindle. The engine covers need polishing and I need to do some work on cleaning up the cooling fins on the cylinder and head.
	May 2000, I have been cleaning up the engine casings and also replaced the rubber oil seals on the rocker spindles and valve decompressor shaft. Reading articles, it seems that the decompressor shaft seems to be the area for leaks, and to remedy this, I have fitted an extra oil seal on the inner side. I have fitted Boyer Bransden electronic ignition which should help the running, as the points cam was quite pitted. Next is to refit the engine and install an oil filter, before carrying on with the metal work.
The engine is now ready to go back into the frame and all the tin work is painted.

May 2000, Things are now going back together. The engine first, then the carb. Next the air box and foot rests with new rubbers. The rear mudguard and battery holder have also been fitted. I have painted the grab rail and rear light unit grey, and these will be next on. The oil pipes need fitting and the rear wheel will not be long after. Foot brake and side stand, tank and seat. Sort out the electrics with the electronic ignition which is going to sit in the tool tray under the seat. Still quite a bit to do, but it is getting there.


June 2000, All I have left to do is lacquer the tank and refit. Paint the horn and side reflectors. Set-up the ignition timing, and get an MOT. I am in the process of building a bike trailer as well as doing the renovation work. But things are looking good as the pictures above show. The new clocks and number plate have made a big difference. I obtained new transfers from the BSA Owners Club, which with the stainless trim strips make it look very good.