My no. 2

[Dizerens5]

My no. 2 is a 1968 BSA B44 - 440cc single. It was exported new to the US. A few years ago someone brought it back home to UK and did a rebuild. I don't know anything about its time in the US.

[montmil]

You and Bengt Phorqs can be closet Brit singles mavens. Mike just scored a 250cc Triumph single that was also badged as a BSA B25.

Sharp looking thumper, yours.     Monte

[Bengt_Phorqs]

Nice looking scoot there Coni.  Can't say that my Turnip is my number 2, more like my number 7 or 8, I lose count, but sure is fun to play with.  Semper Gumby is a BSA maven also and quite knowledgeable.  He pointed me to the "britbike.com" forum and there are lots of good tidbits to be found there.  Just scored a copy of the "Rupert Ratio BSA Unit Single" handbook.  That's a must have for anyone working on a machine from Small Heath or Meriden.  Check it out.

[Dizerens5]

I have the Rupert Ratio book...he is technical advisor for 350 and 440 unit singles for the BSA Owners Club here. The book is really good but does not cover the cycle parts. His real name is Dave Smith and he is a design technology teacher (whatever that is!).
The little B44 is effectively a 440 cc motor pushed into a 250 frame. It's lively and vibration-free up to 55. I've had it 6 years, do about 1,000 miles a year on it (less now I have the R65 as well). It's been 100% reliable apart from guess what, failure of the aftermarket electronic ignition, something wrong in the "black box".

[Bengt_Phorqs]

If you're only doing 1000 per year or so, why not stick with the original points system.  From what I can glean with my short experience with Mr. Lucas and his Magical Mystery System, the key is to use a single point ground (SPG) on the bike.  All grounding points run through one common ground, thus improving the electrical circuitry.  That would require a bit of re-wiring but probably worth the time.  Correct me if I've misunderstood but don't the B44 (441cc) and the B25 (250cc) share the same bottom end with a different conrod?

[Dizerens5]

Not quite. The B25 had an alloy conrod but also a plain bearing big end. The B44 had a steel conrod but a roller bearing big end. The change had a big impact on reliability. All the more so as the 250 was often driven by young men with a strong right wrist! (After about 1962 learners in UK were limited to 250cc, which led to the marketing of a lot of 249 cc rigs which were too high-tuned for their own good). The book by "Rupert Ratio" describes the resultant difference very well: "on the road the B44 has similar flat-out performance to the B25 but achieves it with much less fuss". Right!

[Dizerens5]

Second reply to Bengt - yes, a few years ago when the electronic failed I reverted to points ignition. This was quite easy because the original ATD (automatic advance) came with the bike in a box of parts, and was in good condition. The points backplate is pretty standard, I just used one off an old Norton Commando with one pair of points removed. I've had no trouble since. It would have been a bit more difficult without the ATD as these parts are just about unobtainable except rebuilt ones at high cost. That's because most people fit electronic anyway. I've only had three aftermarket electronic ignitions and two of them have failed. The third is on my R65 so I'm keeping fingers crossed! The famous "fit and forget" seems a bit of an exaggeration to me. I agree entirely with what you say about the need for good ground contact, weakness here has caused many problems for many people....

[Barry]

His real name is Dave Smith and he is a design technology teacher (whatever that is!).

A Design Technology teacher is what passes these days for what used to be called a Metal work or Woodwork teacher. Much more emphasis these days on the design aspects and less on the hands on skills I was taught at school.

[Lucky_Lou]

All the more so as the 250 was often driven by young men with a strong right wrist!

What u saying..... i had a C15 as a "young man"!!! could have been worse some of my mates were "Mods" now they were to**ers
Lou [smiley=Kick.gif]

[Dizerens5]

Haha Lou can't imagine what you are implying there I have a good clean mind you know!

[Semper Gumby]

Nice 441!  I love the rack - Does it lean on the fender or does it hook on to the frame loop.  If so I want one for my Firebird!!!!!!!!  Looks like aftermarket alloy rims..niiiiiice!

[Bengt_Phorqs]

My '68 Triumph TR25W.  It's pretty clean and usually starts 1st or 2d kick now that I have the correct spark plug installed.  Still needs a little TLC to make it shine.

[Dizerens5]

Reply to Semper Gumby = the rack itself must be a commercial one, probably made by Craven. (I think the company still exists but no longer makes motorcycle equipment.) However the "framework" which holds it on is home-built, not by me....it fixes to the top end of the subframe (there's a lug next to the rear suspension one) and to the fender, by strip steel fixed to the very bottom of the V-shape, the lowest part. It looks like a totally rickety arrangement made of Meccano or Erector Set but whoever made it knew what he was doing as it it very rigid and never shakes loose or cracks etc.
I fitted the indicators (turn signals).
Re the wheels, the man who brought back from the US originally intended to change it to an offroad bike (as most B44s here were), as part of that plan he put in the alloy rims but also changed the front from 18 in. to 19 in. Then he abandoned the offroad idea. The alloy and larger front wheel does make the steering a bit light on the tarmac, but it's not a problem.

[Dizerens5]

PS Semper I can post a close-up photo of the rack if you like.

[Lucky_Lou]

My '68 Triumph TR25W.  It's pretty clean and usually starts 1st or 2d kick now that I have the correct spark plug installed.  Still needs a little TLC to make it shine.

Thats a nice looking scooter Mr Phorqs, im hopeing for a new project soon and would dearly love a Matchless(like my dads) or Ajs but may have to settle for a Beezer or Triumph if i cannot find one at sensible money.If i found a Tr 25 i wouldn't be disappointed.
Went to an auction the other day (motorcycle dealer gone bust)there was a 1980 Laverda in bits half of it missing i thought worth a dip if you can get the parts to rebuild knowing nothing about part suppliers i gave it a wide berth.....it went for just short of $7000 i almost fainted best of luck to the buyer sadly nothing that interested me all the rest were relatively new bikes.
Lou