The sound brought back memories of when I was 18 in Melbourne a long time ago. The weather was similar too! I had the plunger frame model. The front down tube broke and being young and stupid we tried to braze it, of course that didn’t last. I ended up riding with three coat hangers holding it together. Even so I loved that machine.
We'll make another similar film in the next few months, with a better soundtrack! Some of the "whine" on the current film was due to the microphone vibrating on the rear rack of the bike (everything vibrates!).
Mine must have been a later model, the speedo was a Smiths on the handle bars. I bought it second hand about 1957 when I was 17. I'm now 77. It had a bad habit of spitting back through the carb when kicking it over, caught fire once but we managed to beat it out with a sack. I graduated to a B33 about a year later, huge difference power wise. Loved the BSAs also road AJS and Thunderbirds later in my life as a traffic policeman. Bob New Zealand.
+Daddybob It sounds like yours was slightly later, Bob. The speedo moved to the handlebars after 1948, which would have made the tanks cheaper to produce, I guess. Interesting to hear about the better performance of the B33 as I've never had a go on one of those. I'm now wondering if I should add a sack to the toolkit... Great to hear from New Zealand - this internet thingy never ceases to amaze! Simon
Hello Simon. Enjoy re-watching this ride. Great when equipped with tools specific to the B31 for rapid servicing. I remember raising the saddle on mine, giving benefits; vision and knee angle. My present follie is thinking of using a 350 B26 engine in a 1951 ZC11S4 springer, for a short wheelbase with very eager power, tough gearbox, and spring heel. PS the Yorkshire road has the essential features for the smaller M/Cs... lumpyness, various cambers, puddles, and so on. Best wishes.
Hi Richard, Good to hear from NZ - looks like you have some lovely riding routes there! The lifting handle sounds good - mine can be a pig to put on the centre stand, especially if there's a load on the rear rack!
Hello, NZ calling. I enjoyed the ride commentary and chatty music. The XB32.945 was mine for 12 years, a great little tractor, nicknamed "greenfly". A lifting handle a-la C11 springer, and the aircleaner elbow were the bee's knees in add-ons.
Hi Richard, Normally I would take the B31 for a few rides in the winter but, with the current COVID restrictions I’ll keep it in the garage and try and sort out a little oil leak at the cylinder head! Have a good 2021, Simon.
The sound brought back memories of when I was 18 in Melbourne a long time ago. The weather was similar too!
I had the plunger frame model. The front down tube broke and being young and stupid we tried to braze it, of course that didn’t last. I ended up riding with three coat hangers holding it together. Even so I loved that machine.
I know what you mean. It’s funny how you can get quite attached to some of these machines.
I loved the sound of this old single and whilst watching the video am sure i could feel the vibration too..Many thanks for sharing. Best wishes.
We'll make another similar film in the next few months, with a better soundtrack! Some of the "whine" on the current film was due to the microphone vibrating on the rear rack of the bike (everything vibrates!).
Mine must have been a later model, the speedo was a Smiths on the handle bars.
I bought it second hand about 1957 when I was 17. I'm now 77.
It had a bad habit of spitting back through the carb when kicking it over,
caught fire once but we managed to beat it out with a sack.
I graduated to a B33 about a year later, huge difference power wise.
Loved the BSAs also road AJS and Thunderbirds later in my life as a traffic policeman.
Bob
New Zealand.
+Daddybob
It sounds like yours was slightly later, Bob. The speedo moved to the handlebars after 1948, which would have made the tanks cheaper to produce, I guess. Interesting to hear about the better performance of the B33 as I've never had a go on one of those. I'm now wondering if I should add a sack to the toolkit... Great to hear from New Zealand - this internet thingy never ceases to amaze! Simon
Hello Simon. Enjoy re-watching this ride. Great when equipped with tools specific to the B31 for rapid servicing. I remember raising the saddle on mine, giving benefits; vision and knee angle. My present follie is thinking of using a 350 B26 engine in a 1951 ZC11S4 springer, for a short wheelbase with very eager power, tough gearbox, and spring heel. PS the Yorkshire road has the essential features for the smaller M/Cs... lumpyness, various cambers, puddles, and so on. Best wishes.
Thanks for the comments Richard!
It was fun, With countryside & old bike BSA, i'm really needed ❤
Gorgeous bike. I used to have a 1961 Triumph 3TA years ago and I still miss her. Your B31 looks and sounds excellent.
Glad you enjoyed the little film. Thanks for the kind comments!
Hi Richard,
Good to hear from NZ - looks like you have some lovely riding routes there! The lifting handle sounds good - mine can be a pig to put on the centre stand, especially if there's a load on the rear rack!
Hello, NZ calling. I enjoyed the ride commentary and chatty music. The XB32.945 was mine for 12 years, a great little tractor, nicknamed "greenfly". A lifting handle a-la C11 springer, and the aircleaner elbow were the bee's knees in add-ons.
B6344...the nightmare of truck drivers, but for the old motorcycle such roads are the best :)
Looks like you are enjoying yourself, the bike sounds fantastic. I too have a B31 1951 love it!
Yes, it's great fun to ride. I saw your films which spurred me on to have a go with mine!
A very nice bike, ridden with panache and sympathy, nice rewarding and engaging ride.
lol been up and down that stretch of road a few hundred times
Great video, thanks for some inspiration.
Glad you enjoyed it. Cheers, Simon.
I have the 1948 rigid frame and love it. Now the 3rd gear has disappeared but it will be sorted very soon.
Merry Christmas Simon. Do you plan to ride during this winter?
Hi Richard, Normally I would take the B31 for a few rides in the winter but, with the current COVID restrictions I’ll keep it in the garage and try and sort out a little oil leak at the cylinder head! Have a good 2021, Simon.
What engine oil can you use please?
Monograde without detergents - SAE40 in the summer and SAE30 in the winter.
@@sgch101 wow thankyou
Duckems 20x50 was what I used.
idolaaa
Très belle vidéo!!!
+enharmonia
C'est très gentil - Merci beaucoup.