What have you done with your bike/s today?

[Joolstacho]

Mate. look for ignition / points probs first. Hang in there you'll get it right.

[muskrat]

G'day Paul.
Welcome to OLD pommy bikes . After jumping off Asian bikes it will take a while to master the BSA. Sorry I can't remember if yours is a plunger or swing arm. Is it an auto or manual advance ignition? Most old bikes have a particular starting procedure (and my XT500, get it wrong you've got a broken ankle!), two of the same model may be different!
Now for your photos, carb and magy in particular wiuld help.
Cheers
ps: check your pm's

[Joolstacho]

Yep, pics Bodger, or it never happened.

[Worty]

Musky and Jools (amongst others) are the 'Wizards from Oz' so their advice is good.  

I reckon if the carbs had been cleaned, the fuel tank cleaned out and the filter gauzes are good, fuel is getting through and the spark is good, then you're pretty much there. 

Do you know the history of the maggie?  A chap on this Forum had a bit of an odd problem with his which (I think) was causing the the starting issue.  Have you had it running at all, or was this the first time (apologies if you've said this elsewhere) - did you acquire it as a running machine (or had it run prior to you getting it)?  Are the plug caps on the right way round?

If tappet clearances, plug gaps, points gap are all good, then I'd grab a couple of mates and give it a good shove in third to get the motor spinning nicely (see if it fires, at least).  Once fired up, check oil is returning and give it a blast to clear the cobwebs out.

[Swarfcut]

 Time to check the oil tank...if it's empty all the oil is in the sump. It may start but smoke like hell and pump oil from the breather until the oil tank refills....easier to loose off the sump plate and drain it off, put the oil back in the tank where it belongs.

 A spray of "Start you *ast*rd" may get it running, or confirm you have a carb problem.

 Swarfy.

[berger]

this isn't bsa related but after leaving my yonda 4 over winter and draining the carbs when i came to start her up she would eventually fire on 2 then 3 then 4,  this after nearly burning the starter out and flattening the battery, this last winter i drained the carbs and fed some diesel down and left her with a note saying diesel in carbs. i drained them the other day and flushed some petrol through and as soon as i pressed the starter she kicked in on all 4 straight away as i sat there staring at the garage wall in shock. my mate said it's because i told her i was getting rid this summer.

[Bodger paul]

Thanks for the replys guys, most helpful...Lots for me to check then. I have a small collection of japanese bikes on which i do all the maintence myself including a full restoration on my cb 400/4...But when it comes to BSA i know very little.so one step at a time...Pictures, Ive already been given help with posting pictures so will give that a try first,Wont get the bike started but will give you guys an idea of what i have...To me i have a  1953 BSA A7 single seat plunger 500 twin...Unless you know different.

One thing i have noticed since buying this bike is "pride of ownership" dont get that with my japanese bikes its all about the ride with them...Happy just to own this Brit.......Still whant to ride it though   

[Black Sheep]

Took the Star Twin for a ride with the local Vintage Club. Did the usual of starting last and arriving at the lunch stop first - well, second this time as I did stop to take some photos and a guy on a TSS Triumph got there a minute ahead of me.
No, it's not a race but the idea of sitting in a queue of bikes at 50 mph (this was one of their quick days) doesn't appeal and they all slow down for corners.
Anyway, the bike is going as well as ever and all set for this season. It is possible to scrape the footrests with Cheng Shin and Ensign trials tyres so no rush to change them.

[berger]

i did not go to the pub , today is the date 14 years ago when i croaked and the NHS saved me , i woke up at the same time as my heart attack was this morning     then later on i got a knock on the door from the jehovah's  this morning preaching and wanting me to attend their meetings , no chance!!!! urma yonda fooled me when she started up easily a few days ago but today she was a swine but made it after a bit of messing with the choke.  i went out on urma to see a mate while betsy beeza relaxed in the sunshine. when i got home i had to tackle Christine the possessed van again because one of the clip in diesel pipes on the filter has got a very small leak and the sealing ring is down the hole where the pipe goes in  so i will leave it for now because i can't find any info on these seals .... once urma was put in the garage i jumped on betsy and she fired up 2nd kick after being stood for about 6 months  i didn't want to try betsy before because she has 50 mono oil and i might have another episode trying to kick her with that treacle in her. so off me and betsy went and the dynamo kicked in 2 miles up the road just like last year. when we got home i poured myself a celebration black&tan thankyou for listening have a nice day .

[muskrat]

G'day Fellas.
Been giving a mate a hand with a gearbox swap on hid 2010 HD Ultra. Day 1 panniers & top box, seat, battery, foot boards, exhaust, rear wheel, swing arm, gearbox side cover, gearbox.
Day 2 clean all parts, install new wheel bearings, bolt in gearbox, install new front engine mounts, remove swingarm bearings, WTF the shop supplied the wrong bearings .
The swingarm bearings and rubbers are also the rear engine mounts so job come to an abrupt halt. Won't have the correct (we hope) bearings till Tuesday  .
Means I get an early start to the weekend. Shoalhaven Classic Motorcycle Club's 25th anniversary party at Wandandian 
Cheers

[berger]

i went out on betsy and now i have decided to have a butchers at the dynamo brushers in the near future, she used to charge at about 1800revs and now  i find she sometimes charges at 2500 then kicks in a better charge at 3000 revs so    and it is many many years ago since the dynamo was converted to 12 volt and i haven't touched it since so investigation will commence this week.

[Worty]

Made all the final preps on both bikes today.  Checked the sump gauze for bits on the GF.  Was alarmed at first when I saw a decent collection of debris (don't panic Bergs), but when I checked, it was bits of gasket (no metal bits at all, not even glitter although the spin on filter may have collected something).  Checked for end float on the crank by trying to shift it from side to side via the sump plate hole - no discernable movement.  Before it went for the Bergs rebuild I could shift it from side to side with a very worrying clunk

Checked all the oils, primary chain tension, nuts and bolts and finished with a spit and polish - all ready to go.  Also gave the Kwaka a good rub down - just a nice day to come round and I'll be away!

[Greybeard]

I fitted a mudflap to the front mudguard. Exciting, eh?

[berger]

hehe worty if you didn't find glitter on the sump plate i wouldn't worty worry about what might be in the spin on filter