Kevin Weller

I think it's about time I got around to restoring the B25 (the Vogue
also needs restoring but is going off to someone who knows what they
are doing!). Restoration is going to take a long time as I don't have a
lot of free time but a bigger problem is that once it's been washed I
have absolutely no idea what to do next!

I'm not a complete mechanical know-nothing as I used to maintain my own
bikes and cars but that was a very long time ago and I've probably
forgotten more than I knew. When it comes to restoring thing though I
have absolutely no knowledge or experience at all. Are there 'Restoring
Motorcycles for Dummies' or similar type books available I could buy
that would give me a start?

Thanks.
--
Kevin
1966 Velocette Vogue, 1971 BSA B25

Mark Olson

Kevin Weller wrote:
> I think it's about time I got around to restoring the B25 (the Vogue
> also needs restoring but is going off to someone who knows what they
> are doing!). Restoration is going to take a long time as I don't have a
> lot of free time but a bigger problem is that once it's been washed I
> have absolutely no idea what to do next!
>
> I'm not a complete mechanical know-nothing as I used to maintain my own
> bikes and cars but that was a very long time ago and I've probably
> forgotten more than I knew. When it comes to restoring thing though I
> have absolutely no knowledge or experience at all. Are there 'Restoring
> Motorcycles for Dummies' or similar type books available I could buy
> that would give me a start?

Disassemble the bike into its smallest possible constituent parts.

Clean, replace, and/or paint parts as necessary.

Assembly is the reverse of disassembly.

--
'01 SV650S '99 EX250-F13 '98 ZG1000-A13
OMF #7

TOG@Toil, chateau.murray@btinternet.com,

On 3 Apr, 11:11, Kevin Weller <Spam_...@nospam.invalid> wrote:
> I think it's about time I got around to restoring the B25 (the Vogue
> also needs restoring but is going off to someone who knows what they
> are doing!). Restoration is going to take a long time as I don't have a
> lot of free time but a bigger problem is that once it's been washed I
> have absolutely no idea what to do next!
>
> I'm not a complete mechanical know-nothing as I used to maintain my own
> bikes and cars but that was a very long time ago and I've probably
> forgotten more than I knew. When it comes to restoring thing though I
> have absolutely no knowledge or experience at all. Are there 'Restoring
> Motorcycles for Dummies' or similar type books available I could buy
> that would give me a start?
>

I think the FAQs for this very ng are as good a place to start as any.

platypus

Kevin Weller wrote:
> I think it's about time I got around to restoring the B25 (the Vogue
> also needs restoring but is going off to someone who knows what they
> are doing!). Restoration is going to take a long time as I don't have
> a lot of free time but a bigger problem is that once it's been washed
> I have absolutely no idea what to do next!
>
> I'm not a complete mechanical know-nothing as I used to maintain my
> own bikes and cars but that was a very long time ago and I've probably
> forgotten more than I knew. When it comes to restoring thing though I
> have absolutely no knowledge or experience at all. Are there
> 'Restoring Motorcycles for Dummies' or similar type books available I
> could buy that would give me a start?
>
> Thanks.

Have an extensive read of this:

http://www.bsa-c15.org.uk/

There's plenty of people who've restored bikes and stuck it up on a website.
A bit of reading this sort of thing will help you get an idea of how deep
you want to go.

--
platypus

"Merely corroborative detail, intended to
give artistic verisimilitude to an otherwise
bald and unconvincing narrative."

Kevin Weller

In article <9EyQh.5400$NK2.3894@text.news.blueyonder.co.uk> , Platypus wrote:
> Have an extensive read of this:
>
> http://www.bsa-c15.org.uk/
>
> There's plenty of people who've restored bikes and stuck it up on a website.*
> A bit of reading this sort of thing will help you get an idea of how deep*
> you want to go.

That's an intersting site, thanks.
--
Kevin
1966 Velocette Vogue, 1971 BSA B25

Kevin Weller

In article <1175609863.650885.276040@l77g2000hsb.googlegroups .com>,
Chateau.murray@btinternet.com, TOG@Toil wrote:
> I think the FAQs for this very ng are as good a place to start as any.

[shuffles feet and looks embarrassed] That didn't occur to me at all...
--
Kevin
1966 Velocette Vogue, 1971 BSA B25

Kevin Weller

In article <1314nn2soo5kmbe@corp.supernews.com>, Mark Olson wrote:
> Are there 'Restoring*
> > Motorcycles for Dummies' or similar type books available I could buy*
> > that would give me a start?
>
> Disassemble the bike into its smallest possible constituent parts.
>
> Clean, replace, and/or paint parts as necessary.
>
> Assembly is the reverse of disassembly.

I realise you're trying to simplify it for me but I don't think it's
quite that simple. For example, the 'Clean, replace and/or paint parts as
neccesary' process requires a degree of knowledge to help with that
decision.
--
Kevin
1966 Velocette Vogue, 1971 BSA B25

Colin

What a twit. Didn't notice the bit about B25 - only saw Vogue.
Must have been a senior moment.

B25's are much easier. Original workshop manual still available,
as are any special tools. Bits (relatively) easily obtained. BSA
forum on the web covers B25's frequently. Several case studies
in the literature & on the web on B25 rebuilds. Bacon has a good
restoration manual on BSA Singles (Osprey), & he also has a
tome called BSA Gold Stars & other Singles (Osprey) which
covers the B25 history. Owners Club strong. Many B25's,40's
& 50s still used in competion -- trials & scrambles, -- so plenty
of knowledge around.

Colin

Oily

"Colin" wrote.......
>
> You asked about books. There are several.

<snip>

>
> Mail me offline if you need more,
>

Blimey, if BMS sees that lot he'll buy you out and you'll be able to retire
and spend your days just riding yer old Norton. :-)

Oily

steveloukes@hotmail.com

On 3 Apr, 22:55, Kevin Weller <Spam_...@nospam.invalid> wrote:
> I realise you're trying to simplify it for me but I don't think it's
> quite that simple. For example, the 'Clean, replace and/or paint parts as
> neccesary' process requires a degree of knowledge to help with that
> decision.
Does it work? If not replace
Is it rusty? If so paint
Is it dirty? If so clean
Work out how much you can afford to spend , then triple it....

Steve

The Older Gentleman

Moon Badger <not.valid@all.com.net.org> wrote:

> Bloody hell, anyone fancy reformatting that book list and adding it to the
> F.A.Q?

Why don't you, seeing as you didn't snip any of it? ;-)


--
BMW K1100LT 750SS CB400F CD250 Z650
GAGARPHOF#30 GHPOTHUF#1 BOTAFOT#60 ANORAK#06 YTC#3
BOF#30 WUSS#5 The bells, the bells.....

The Older Gentleman

Moon Badger <not.valid@all.com.net.org> wrote:

> The original "Motorcycling Manual" went through over 30 editions,

That's a very good one, agreed.



--
BMW K1100LT 750SS CB400F CD250 Z650
GAGARPHOF#30 GHPOTHUF#1 BOTAFOT#60 ANORAK#06 YTC#3
BOF#30 WUSS#5 The bells, the bells.....

Kevin Weller

In article <1175672505.418081.140610@l77g2000hsb.googlegroups .com>,
Colin wrote:
> You asked about books. There are several. [snip]

Thanks very much for that excellent response Colin which I've copied
elsewhere for keeping. I've been purchasing relevant copies of M/Cycle
Mechanics from eBay as they come up and I've just ordered "How to
Restore Your Motorcycle" by Zimmerman. I couldn't find copies of the
other books but have now set up emailed searches in eBay for them.

I'm a member of the LE Velo Owner's club but the forum is very quiet.
That was, however, where I found the guy who is going to undertake the
restoration for us and the bike will be delivered to him tomorrow
thanks to the trailer I bought from Pip which has been more useful than
I imagined.

> B25's are much easier.

That's why we (SWMBO wants to do this as well decided to have a go
at this one ourselves.

> Original workshop manual still available,

Got one of those...

> BSA Gold Stars & other Singles (Osprey)

Ordered one of those...

> Bacon has a good restoration manual on BSA Singles (Osprey)

I had some trouble tracking one of these down but I persevered as it
looks to be exactly the book I need and eventually found a site that
said they had stock; we'll see if it is delivered.

> Owners Club strong.

I'm a member of that but hoped to get a start so I didn't ask too many
particularly stupid questions and irritate everyone.

Thanks again Colin.
--
Kevin
1966 Velocette Vogue, 1971 BSA B25

Colin

Been to the Classic Racing meeting at Pembrey today. Quite by
chance, there was a caravan that had some books. One was by
Rockin' Robin or somesuch -- apparently he writes for The Star -
the BSA Owners Club mag. Covered all maintenance & rebuild
of all Unit Single engines. Skimmed it quickly, & it seemed very
thorough. I've not seen it before (my only BSA is a A7SS).

Approx £16, & the lady selling supplies to Amazon. She offered
me a 35% discount, but unfortunately that was before I saw
your mail, so I didn't buy it as it's not relevant to my stuff. She
was from a bookshop in Lancaster, but I suspect you could find
the book via Amazon.

If I get a chance, I'll print a list of "Lessons Learnt The Hard Way"
- basic do's & don'ts of any restoration project. Hopefully others
will chime in with their own lessons.

First lesson -- pay most attention to those who have done it all
many times, rather than armchair (or desktop!) pundits who
may claim the world's knowledge but have never put it to use ...

Good luck,

Colin

Kevin Weller

In article <1175673103.496154.15690@o5g2000hsb.googlegroups.c om>, Colin
wrote:
> BSA forum on the web covers B25's frequently.

Is that the forum at www.BritBike.com Colin or somewhere else?
--
Kevin
1966 Velocette Vogue, 1971 BSA B25

Colin

Kevin --

Try http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bsa/. I seem to remember Brit Cycle
have a good set of BSA data on their tech web site. I don't recall
whether
there is much unit single stuff, but worth a look.

Colin

Kevin Weller

In article <1176149926.407967.75640@n59g2000hsh.googlegroups. com>,
Colin wrote:
> Try http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bsa/.

Now joined, thanks.
--
Kevin
1966 Velocette Vogue, 1971 BSA B25