What have you done with your bike/s today?

[muskrat]

G'day Tom.
Yes good to see younguns out there and expose them to real motorbikes.
Drop the needle (raise the clip) one notch. Only change one thing at a time.
What fuel are you using?
Cheers

[Greybeard]

I rode my A10 in the DGR yesterday.  The other bikes were mostly Harleys and modern retros, but there was one very nice BSA Rocket 3.  I was pleased to see a lot of younger people in the group.  I was a little nervous taking the A10 on its longest trip since its rebuild, but she ran well with no problems.  Well, almost no problems - there is a noticeable pause/gap in acceleration when the throttle is at about 1/4 turn, and when I checked the spark plugs at the end of the day they were black and sooty.  It looks like I need to experiment with needle positions and maybe hotter spark plugs?

The plugs on my GF were never pale during my ownership. I deduce the engine runs rich but she always went well with no hesitation on acceleration and easy to start. I'd rather have an engine running rich than weak.

[CheeserBeezer]

Went on the local VMCC 'Muck and Nettles' run. Didn't realise it was a 'very' green lane run. The A10 did well alongside other bikes with knobblies!

[Greybeard]

With those megaphone 'silencers' the countryside must have enjoyed your company😉

[Worty]

Went out on the Berger Build to finish off the running in.  Only meant to do about 50 miles but enjoyed it so much it ended up as 127   Bike was absolutely lovely - a shade tappety but never missed a beat.  Got back and dropped the oil - a bit dark after ca.400m, but still with shades of amber.  Undid the feed and return to drain as much out as I could, got a syringe to the oil tank, changed the spin-on filter, dropped the sump and checked the gauze - one small blob of gasket and no discernable metal after around 200m (last time I checked).

Started to open her up a bit and felt great - no strange noises from the motor which purred along!  Still no major oil  leaks although I need to change the gasket on the gearbox inspection cover.

Really good day, gorgeous roads, fab weather - doesn't get much better than that.  Even seemed to handle better after a chain adjustment

Next is a round trip to Stafford on Fri to see sis from Oz on the Kwaka this time.  Should be around 250m total round trip.

Interesting though, no-one takes a blind bit of notice when I'm on the Kwak, but loads of interest in the GF

[muskrat]

Went on the local VMCC 'Muck and Nettles' run. Didn't realise it was a 'very' green lane run. The A10 did well alongside other bikes with knobblies!

G'day Andrew.
The old BSA's surprise a lot of people with their dirt capabilities.
My A7 plunger was my "trail bike" for quite a few years when I lived in the bush with just road tyres. A friend & girlfriend on a XT600 snapped a chain so the old girl towed them home over some very rough terrain, hills and creek crossings.
Cheers

[berger]

worty if she doesn't blow up in the next 300 miles with you twisting the right hand it will be worth getting the head done , i remember telling you there was heavy pitting in a valve or two and it could do with new valves and guides hence black oil the pitting on the seats and valves would not come out unless i lapped them round brands hatch   glad your happy 

[Worty]

worty if she doesn't blow up in the next 300 miles with you twisting the right hand it will be worth getting the head done , i remember telling you there was heavy pitting in a valve or two and it could do with new valves and guides hence black oil the pitting on the seats and valves would not come out unless i lapped them round brands hatch   glad your happy 

What'd be the cost of valves and guides.  I've never done this, so not sure what'd be needed.  I remember RM pulling out a valve and commenting it was in good condition??  Do I need to change the oil more regularly if it's getting black?

[berger]

Worty no you don't need to change it more regularly it just has combustion particles in it and is good for your bon fire now you have the filter everything should be fine. your best bet is find a good workshop and get a price for the work, you can buy your own valves and guides from the interwebby thing, but don't think you have to jump into this soon , enjoy the bl---dy thing . if it's not running like a 2 stroke and leaving wads of smoke behind you leave it 

[muskrat]

Worty no you don't need to change it more regularly it just has combustion particles in it and is good for your bon fire now you have the filter everything should be fine. your best bet is find a good workshop and get a price for the work, you can buy your own valves and guides from the interwebby thing, but don't think you have to jump into this soon , enjoy the bl---dy thing . if it's not running like a 2 stroke and leaving wads of smoke behind you leave it 

G'day Worty.
As berger says.
If or when you want it done a seat cut and valve face might all it would need. Depending on the state of the guides.
Cheers

[Worty]

Cheers guys, always feel reassured when you answer my queries.   I'll keep an eye on the tappet clearances, then I'm going to give her the beans (well, at least 3/4 of a tin) .  I don't have any visible smoke at all, oil is still returning in spits and starts.

Just so you know, she'd been stood for a couple of weeks and the oil tank drained completely into the sump - I mean, literally to half way down the feed pipe.  Obviously, I drained off the oil and put it back in the tank.  Anti-drain valve maybe .... and how do they work?

 

[muskrat]

G'day Worty.
My plunger had been doing that for years. Full tank in just a few weeks. Full motor rebuild and SRM pump fixed it.
If your riding every day or three don't worry. If you check the tank and it's half down do as your doing.
Cheers

[Worty]

Cheers Musky.  The odd thing about it is that it didn't do that prior to fitting the spin on?  Obviously trying to start with a full sump isn't clever, so I have an empty, clean, 5 litre oil container with the side cut out.  I drain the oil into that then, carefully tip the container back so it's not near the cap, undo the cap, lift carefully and pour back into the tank.  I then store the container in a clean plastic bag to prevent contamination, ready for use next time.   The whole operation takes 10 mins, and is now part of my pre-ride routine.  Tell you what though, those sump plates with magnetic plugs are a godsend, otherwise it'd be a messy operation.

[RDfella]

Today? Absolutely nothing. Weather's dry and sunny so working on my boat (mainly varnishing).

[Worty]

Today? Absolutely nothing. Weather's dry and sunny so working on my boat (mainly varnishing).

Aye, there are always 'other' things to do other than riding bikes when it's dry and sunny, especially in Blighty