The Winged Wheel - ISSUE 290- Jan/Mar 2019 www.canterburybsaoc.org.nz - BSA Motorcycle Owners Club
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The Winged Wheel
Newsletter of
The Canterbury BSA Owners Club Inc.
PO Box 2907 Christchurch 8140
New Zealand.
www.canterburybsaoc.org.nz
ISSUE 290– Jan/Mar 2019
1
Committee 2018-19
President Thomas Brown 03 337 1797
Vice President/ Harry Brown 03 942 8621
Club Captain hazzanlazza@gmail.com
Secretary Mark Leoni 03 322 4900
Treasurer Mark Leoni 03 322 4900
Editor John Proffitt 03 980 3349
Email jproffitt48@gmail.com
Committee Paul Burbery 03 327 6197
Roy Lingard 03 332 5517
Ross McLellan 03 359 7036
Webmaster Ken Roy 388 4415
Email kilroy@ihug.co.nz
CBSAOC Westpac Acct No. : 03 1592 0031015 000 (e.g. for subs payments)
Contents:-
Presidents Page page 3
What’s on page 4
Editors blurb page 5
AGM / Subs due for 2019-20 page 6
Amal Premier Carbs page 10
Leithfield/ Sefton/ Ashley Run page 13
BSA Bantam Special page 14
BBQ Run page 19
2
President’s Page
Well here we are again and it’s April, and it’s my birthday this month
and still no new BSA from Mahindra on the horizon. Let’s hope that
it will be as competitive in price as the new Royal Enfield, at
$10,290 incl. GST.
The Fish & Chip Run to Akaroa was great. The fish from the shop
around the back road from the waterfront just fell apart as soon as
you took the first bite – it was that fresh. There was a huge cruise
ship in with lots of people showing lots of interest in our old bikes.
Pictures also being taken with punters standing behind them looking
like it was their bike. Too bad that the smaller bikes didn’t go all the
way, but stayed in Little River at the Diner, which by the way, has
good food, good prices and also mince pies (eh Harry?).
We had 29 people at the club picnic/BBQ at Ross and Adele’s place
at Rakaia Huts. Must have been the food that attracts them. It was
also nice to see the wives, partners etc of the members there, as it
adds to the flavour.
Good to see some new members joining the club, so I can see a
future for our old bikes still being used.
Chips Brown
Line-up for the Fish & Chip Run, Feb 2019
3
CANTERBURY BSA CLUB
8th April Club Night & Committee Meeting Papanui Club
21st April Club Run Bush Inn carpark
13th May AGM (no Committee Meeting) Papanui Club
19th May Club Run Bush Inn carpark
10th June Club Night & Committee Meeting Papanui Club
16th June Club Run Bush Inn carpark
8th July Club Night & Committee Meeting Papanui Club
21st July Club Run Bush Inn carpark
CLUB NIGHTS
Held on the second Monday of each month. Venue is Matches Sports Bar,
Papanui Club, Sawyers Arms Road, Christchurch
Club nights commence at 7.30pm unless otherwise advised
CLUB RUNS
Held on the third Sunday of each month unless otherwise advised
Depart from Bush Inn Centre Carpark (opp Westpac), Upper Riccarton
Summer months meet 10.00am Depart by 10.30am
Winter months meet 10.30am Depart by 11.00am
You don’t need a BSA to come on a run.
Should the run be cancelled for any reason, it will be held the following Sunday.
The run destination may be changed at the start if weather conditions are not
suitable or circumstances change.
COMMITTEE MEETINGS
Held on the second Monday of each month at 7pm at Matches Sports Bar,
Papanui Club, Sawyers Arms Road, Christchurch
Committee members & phone numbers listed inside front cover
4
From the Editor
Welcome to another edition. I’ll start by thanking Ross and Adele for hosting
us for yet another successful BBQ following our March 17 club run. A dry run
for those who took the sensible option of skirting the Port Hills via Tai Tapu.
Not so dry for Allan and myself, who missed the cues and took the Tunnel
Road route. Thanks Allan, for saying you enjoyed the run (and that it wasn’t
really that wet!)
A reminder that the AGM is next month on 13th May. See the notice on
page 6. Subs are due now too and can be paid at the AGM, online or by
cheque to the Secretary. Still only $25. Details are on page 6.
Please return trophies you were awarded at last year’s AGM to Thomas
(or a committee member) as soon as possible.
ALL committee positions are open for nominations. That includes
the editor’s job!
A special thanks to Bruce is due. He very kindly donated the proceeds of the
sale of his BSA stationary engines to the club with the wish that we make a
donation to St John. This was done and the response from St John is on page
8. The sad events on March 15 showed exactly why these first responders
are so deserving.
Thanks to Russell G, Bruce C, Max G, Ross McL, Harry B, Didier LG and
Jens C for their contributions to this issue.
The club magazine can be downloaded from a link on the Home page on the
club website - www.canterburybsaoc.org.nz
See ’Here is the latest magazine, and the previous magazine’.
Regards, John
Please note:
Winter times now apply to our monthly runs
Meet at the Bush Inn car park 10.30 am for a 11.00 am departure
Check the Website: www.canterburybsaoc.org.nz
5
Canterbury BSA Owners’ Club AGM
7.30pm Monday 13 May 2019
At the Papanui Club, Sawyers Arms Road, ChCh
(In the Papanui Outdoor Bowling Club rooms. Drive in
the main entrance and keep going to the end of the
long drive.)
Please come along and have a say in the
running of your club.
Supper provided
NOTICE
Your ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION of $25 is now due
Please see the Secretary at the AGM on 13 May,
post to PO Box 2907, Christchurch 8140
or use internet banking:
CBSAOC Westpac Acct No. : 03 1592 0031015 000.
(Remember to include your name as a reference)
Thanks for your continued membership
6
Classic Motorcycle Mecca, Invercargill
1930 BSA E30/14
Better than a term deposit!
7
8
Disclaimer
The Canterbury BSA Owners’ Club Inc. and its Officers will not
accept any responsibility for any accident, damage or loss incurred
by any persons on any Club organised event or ride. We advise
that all members, riders, passengers and people attending any
Club organised outing or event must obey the road rules at all
times and ride with the utmost care and attention, riding to the
conditions at the time. Motorcycles should be registered for NZ and
have a current WOF label. Insurance is the responsibility of the
Owner. We advise that all members hold their own insurance.
Dunlop TT100 and K70 tyres
Always in stock
9
With thanks to Donald Johnson, December 13, 2018 (internet posting)
It’s important to note the new Amal Concentric Premier has different float level
settings. The static level is much higher. This is noted in the latest instruction
sheet from Amal.
In many cases the static level will actually be above the gasket surface of the
bowl on the newest carbs.
However, the actual fuel level in the bowl is the same. If you set the static float
level to the earlier setting of .080" below the surface, the actual fuel level will be
low, causing a lean condition.
I confirmed this on a few Premiers using the clear tube method to measure the
actual fuel level in the bowl. Also, you can mark the inside of the bowl to get a
double confirmation of the level. I used gasoline as the test fluid. One gallon of
fuel in the tank with the bowl on a jig to simulate actual installed conditions.
I thought Amal had set the level too high so I adjusted it to .080" below, but the
bike ran lean. Indeed, the actual level was very low after my adjustment. I went
back to the way Amal had set it and it was exactly in middle of the actual fuel
level in bowl range.
The new Premier carbs look like originals, but many changes have been made in
castings and other parts. Even though they are very similar, they must be looked
at in their own way and not as the original Concentrics.
1011
12
The January run to the Leithfield Hotel (too crowded), back to the Sefton
Hotel (kitchen closed) and finally the Ashley (short-staffed but no problem
with lovely boys like us). A trio of colour coded Triumphs has infiltrated our
group, above. Below, Jason’s BSA 500 Special goes as well as it looks.
Thanks to Russell Gallagher for photo duties.
13The latest addition to Dallas-based Bobby Haas’ collection is this extraordinary
piece of motorcycle art by Craig Rodsmith. Craig describes the concept as a
“thin, minimal board track style bike,” fabricated from aluminium and with an
encasing body. Hence the name Corps Léger—which means ‘light body.’
“We decided to use all-white button tread tires, 28 x 3½, mounted on clincher
rims. I machined up some hubs and inner wheels to support them, and then
made the entire frame from scratch—including the springer forks.”
The engine is a mid-1950s BSA Bantam 150 . “I chose BSA partly because my
first bike was a Bantam, in the early 70s. It was a nostalgia thing—and I think it’s
also a classic-looking engine, and perfect for a lightweight bike.”
14Craig rebuilt the motor, taking it back to stock specification. “I found a guy who’s
a Bantam specialist in England—Rex Caunt. He was an amazing source for
parts and help.”
The engine runs and the bike is rideable, although Craig finished the build in the
middle of a vicious Chicago winter. “So I never rode it, but it was built with the
intention of being a museum piece anyway.”
“I made the wheels from scratch, I machined a pair of hubs from aluminium, then
cut two discs for each wheel and made a makeshift press to dish them as I
annealed the aluminium,” he explains. “I then hand rolled two outer rims so I had
two hoops, sandwiched the hubs and the hoops between the discs, and slowly
welded around the perimeter, stopping as I went to true them up.”
15Max and Sean checked out the Classic Motorcycle Mecca collection in
Invercargill recently. Not to mention the Truck Museum and the fishing at
Riverton.
1953 BSA 650 Lightning
16Panther with the usual XXXL sidecar
1920 N.U.T. Period Racer
British 600cc S/V JAP
17AFFORDABLE TYRES
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18The yearly BBQ Run was on 17 March 2019. Ross and Adele hosted us
again at their Little Rakaia Huts property, which is ideally set up for a relaxed
afternoon. John, Graeme and Jim managed to do without the BSA picnic
blanket. Good to see quite a few wives and partners here as well. Thanks to
Ross and Roy for manning the BBQs and to Adele for sorting all the other
stuff, including teas and coffees. Don’t miss this date next year—there’s a
reason it’s so well attended.
19Lost Appetite
A woman asks her husband at breakfast time, "Would you like some bacon
and eggs, a slice of toast and maybe some grapefruit juice and coffee?"
He declines. "Thanks for asking, but I'm not hungry right now.
It's this Viagra," he says. "It's really taken the edge off my appetite."
At lunchtime, she asked him if he would like something. "How about a bowl
of soup, homemade muffins or a cheese sandwich?"
He declines. "The Viagra," he says, "It's really spoiled my need for food."
Come dinnertime, she asks if he wants anything to eat. "Would you like a
juicy rib eye steak and some scrumptious apple pie? Or maybe a rotisserie
chicken or tasty stir fry?"
He declines again. "No," he says, "it's got to be the Viagra. I'm still not
hungry."
"Well," she says, "Would you mind getting off me? I'm bloody starving."
2021
Didier provided these scans of an event at the Rarotonga Motorcycle Club
in 1948, with several BSAs in evidence. Not much evidence of riding boots
although the lass standing on the bike probably removed hers out of respect
for the Brooks saddle.
22FOR ALL YOUR MOTORCYCLE TYRES AND
ROLLING CHASSIS NEEDS. FREE FREIGHT
AVAILABLE C/A.
23BSA Bobber Custom by a Tesla Clay Sculptor
We all know that car and motorcycle design studios are packed with
supercomputers. But they still rely heavily on low-tech, life-size models too,
produced by skilled clay sculptors. And that’s even true of cutting edge
companies like Tesla.
Richard Mitchell is a clay sculptor for Tesla: he’s responsible for fine-tuning the
complex shapes of world’s best-selling plug-in electric cars. “I love creating
something unique that you can see and touch, all from a two-dimensional
drawing.”
He’s helped design some of the most futuristic cars on the road, but he’s also
got a thing for classic and custom bikes. In his early 20s he started getting into
vintage motorcycles—and specifically English marques like BSA, Triumph,
Norton and Vincent.
“For years I’ve kicked around the idea of building one,” he tells us. “The only
bike I’ve built before was a mildly custom 1971 Honda SL-125. And although
I’m mechanically inclined, there were skills I lacked.”
Those feelings of doubt slowly faded after Richard moved to Los Angeles in
2010 and began working for Tesla.
It was an exciting time: the company was still small in those days, so Richard
found himself rapidly skilling up to handle occasional welding, fabrication and
painting duties for the prototypes.
“But outside of work, I was bored—and wanted a personal project for my free
time,” he says. So he placed a Craigslist ad, looking for a BSA motorcycle
“and/or parts.”
Within hours Richard got a message from a guy with a BSA Thunderbolt. “I
went to check it out. It was a true basket case: the bike was in about a dozen
boxes. But it did seem to be ‘all there’ and it included a non-matching numbers
but complete engine and an unmolested frame.”
The original plan was to do a quick build: a simple, stripped-down bobber with
black paint and off-the-shelf parts. “I figured it’d take about 6 to 12 months to
complete,” says Richard. “But none of this came to be true!”
The closer the BSA got to being a roller, the more ideas sprung to mind. Extra
components were tracked down, measurements and drawings were made, and
parts machined.
“Somewhere along the line, a theme emerged,” says Richard. “I wanted to take
the late-model unit-based BSA and make it appear as if it had been dreamt up
in the 1940s or 1950s.”
“I wanted to hide anything modern, and anything off-the-shelf I would try to
modify or merge with hand-made pieces.”
The engine was taken care of too. It turned out to be a perky 1966 A65L
24(Lightning) engine, and Richard got it meticulously rebuilt by his good friend
John French. The crankshaft was rebuilt too, and new rods added.
SRM provided a new camshaft and high-volume oil pump. The cases were
machined for new bearings and bushings, and the barrels were
machined .040” over before new pistons and rings were installed.
The dual carb cylinder head was cleaned up, and new valves, guides, and
springs were installed. On went a set of polished Amal 930 carbs—the
Premier spec version with a hard-anodised slide and precision-engineered
idle circuit.
Gases now exit via a modified set of BSA Wasp scrambler exhaust pipes.
Turning his attention to the 1968-spec frame, Richard started by removing
the factory swingarm and seat mounts so that he could weld a custom hard-
tail into place. The rear section, built by David Bird, drops the bike 2.5” and
lengthens the wheelbase by 4”.
Jake Robbins of Vintage Engineering in England built the custom girder
fork, amplifying the vintage look Richard was after. Then Richard
redesigned the friction levers and water-jetted new ones out of steel to
make them more unique.
He also built a new lower yoke, slightly changing the geometry to give the
25front end a bit more rake, without going outside the limits of the factory steering
damper.
One of Richard’s favourite pieces on the bike is an eBay find: a 1952 Smiths
Chronometric ‘Revometer’ speedo. He’s also fond of the original
Lucas aluminium heat sink and the Zener diode, a regulator that sends
excess voltage back into the frame when it reaches a threshold.
Each wheel is completed with powder coated hoops, new stainless spokes and
period-correct Firestone tires—3.25-19” at the front and 4.00-18” at the back.
The front brake is a BSA twin-leading shoe, with extra detailing and brass mesh
vents added, and the rear brake is a BSA quick-detach ‘crinkle hub.’
Richard’s made a few special pieces for the BSA, including the battery box—
which holds a 4-cell lithium battery, the voltage regulator, and a 20-amp fuse.
He also built an oil catch-can that does double-duty as a breather, and a brass
tube to hold the bike’s registration papers, mounted to the license plate bracket.
To avoid using zip-ties, he’s made about a dozen leather straps with aged-brass
snaps to hold the vintage-style cloth-covered electrical wires to the frame. The
slender rear fender stays are custom-made too, with water-jetted mounting
pieces—including the one used for the solid brass LED powered taillight.
“When it came to the paint, I wanted to do the work myself,” says Richard. “I
chose two classic Porsche colours: Graphite Gray and Glacier Gray Metallic,
which were both used on the 50th anniversary edition 911.” The result is worthy
of a pro shop.
The low-key, sophisticated paint is offset with gold leaf striping—which,
incredibly, Richard had never attempted before. “It took a few tries but I couldn’t
be happier with the results. I added a little nod to the original BSA ‘Made in
England’ decal, only now in gold leaf and relocated to the hardtail.”
It’s a breath-taking build. It’s also one of those rare machines that looks even
better the closer you get to it. So last year, Richard took it to The Quail
Motorcycle Gathering in Carmel, California, where it won second place in the
Custom/Modified Class.
“This was a dream come true,” he reveals. “Getting that type of response for my
first ground-up build meant a lot to me. It also got me hooked on wanting to build
more.”
With thanks to Richard Mitchell and Paulo Rosas (of Speed Machines Design, for
the images).
26Club Members Contact List
Terry Agnew 354 5099 Didier Le Guen 021 209 0989
Geoff Bainbridge 03 312 0993 Mark Leoni 322 4900
Dave Bishell 03 578 9485 Wayne Leoni 338 2369
Alan Bland 342 4134 Roy Lingard 027 435 8637
Peter Bland 027 644 3824 Kim Macbeth 352 9779
Harry Brown 942 8621 Ian McGregor 980 4428
Thomas Brown 337 1797 Ross McLellan 359 7036
Paul Burbery 03 327 6197 Red Miller 027 2360908
Pete Milner 342 7336
Peter Burroughs 03 327 5805
James Nimmo 960 9273
Bruce Chapman 03 347 4442
Lyn Nimmo 960 9273
Jens Christensen 347 1600
Brett O'Rourke 347 8293
Ross Church 027 616 6579
Ray O'Rourke 352 3375
John Connolly 358 7555
Graeme Perry 327 7848
Darren Crothers 021 686 521
Colin Pitkethley 021 128 0483
Vic Daniel 359 9661
Bob Powell 332 8317
Max Green 03 313 0520
John Proffitt 980 3349
Sean Green 027 3360171 Ken Roy 388 4415
Herb Hart 327 3840 Ken Smith 021 207 9743
Richie Hart 021 566 349 John Taylor 942 2977
Wade Enright Allan Tester 03 578 9938
Daniel Burbery 021 581 119 Ted Tomlinson 027 4364377
Mike Sutherland 027 682 7732 Mark van der Looy 355 4943
Brian Ward 355 8209
Graeme Watson 332 2048
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