I have had this for about six years now, It came a bit of a wrecked incomplete project.
It had gone bang in 74 when the original owner John prior to me put the rods through the casings and the barrel in what must have been a spectacular seizure on the way to the isle of man.
John then brought a used 61 super rocket engine for £35 and half fitted it in the frame after doing the timing side bush, and left it in a damp shed for thirty years with the plugs out.
It was well seized by the time I stripped it. I being completely skint as usual. I completely hand stripped all of the rust and paint with nitromors drills and emery to bare metal . I resprayed the frame parts with black smooth rite and resprayed the rest with maroon cellulose. I MiG welded new sections in the very rusty rear mudguard, I obtained bits of nacelle piece meal, previously all missing, re pro mudguard, built an enclosed chain case from rusty bits ( I had the front). Got TLS from America for £45 ( eBay). Had the wheels rebuilt. Built the engine with NOS he-polite 8.5 pistons, new cam, It came with a spare tank which had been re-chromed in the 70s which although rusty cleaned up fine with fine wire wool and oil. Roger at Cake street flogged me a used RGS SS exhaust with an insignificant mark for £45 ( which he polished out anyway) as the A65 one it came with clashed with the kick start when fitted. Thanks for that Roger, last year, the handmade steel front mudguard is from him (four years ago).
Rebuilt the gearbox, got a 4 plate clutch from a friend, worst £10 I ever spent as it never worked, now got a new one which seems much better. Had a dodgy mag rebuild currently waiting for it to be done properly. So far its been a dismal starter taking twenty odd kicks which is not funny with ms fatigue. Found out I had MS in 2007 slowing work greatly. Finally got it MOTd last May still needs fettling MS permitting. I normally build and ride sixties lambrettas but have always loved BSA except for a dislike of Bantams which don't suit 6 ft 2" 17 stone people well, as they look like toys under me.
Have only done twenty miles so far on the beezer due to various challenges,
Cant wait to get the damned thing right and enjoy it. Lambrettas are very cheap to do in comparison.
