Hello All
I'm new to BSA but have had a British bike of one form or another since 1967 when at the tender age of 12 I purchased my first motorcycle, a 1956 Norton ES2 500 single. Actually, it wasn't a purchase, it was even trade for my Sears riding saddle.
I recently purchased a one owner West Coast type 1963 Super Rocket in Texas, USA, then had it shipped to me here in Vancouver, Canada.
The bike looks to be unrestored but in very good condition overall. The original owner passed away a couple of years ago and I bought the bike from his son. The only change to the bike that I can see is the Carb, now a Concentric.
The son tells me that the bike was ordered thru Hap Alzina and that his father requested it be in Catalina Blue. I guess Hap Alzina could get BSA to do such things because it is in that colour and looks to be original paint.
The bike arrived two days ago and it started after three kicks, then one kick every time thereafter. It had not been run for a couple of years, but had not wet sumped!
The primary was way over full however , so I drained the excess off. The trans was down a bit, so perhaps the trans oil is slowly leaking into the primary?
The bike starts easily and runs well up to about half throttle opening but misfires above that. The clutch is slipping badly, I'm wondering if the overly full primary may have caused that problem?
I expect the Carb is gummed up from sitting, so will disassemble and clean that then see if the misfire persists. All in all, it seems pretty decent, no blue smoke on startup, lots of compression and I think pretty decent power once the clutch and misfire are fixed.
These Super Rockets and A 10s in general are very pretty motorcycles. I find this one to be very comfortable as well.
Glen
