It's funny these bikes are so popular now. As young lads we tuned the life out of these bikes. When they went well they would last for 10 minutes. But today 50 years later I would leave them alone and enjoy it while it lasts
I owned a 1967 BSA Shooting Star 441, the road model of this bike. Victor was a model for on/off road. Shooting Star had a red, fiberglass petrol tank with white indentation for the rider's knees. It also had the BSA brand badges on the tank identical to the 650 twin. Exhaust was down low, and the internal tube at the muffler would accept a VW Beetle muffler driven in which made the bike very quiet.
The two happiest days of my life; the day I bought my 1971 BSA 441 Victor Special, and the day I sold it. Replaced by a 1972 Honda 450, which was smoother, quieter, more reliable, didn't leak oil, had electric start, metric fastners, and a negative ground. 🏍☺
Mr. Waller, just stumbled across your video and I'm tickled to death I did! After starting out on Vespa and later a little Gilera/Sears Roebuck 106 cc bike I bought a beautiful 250 cc BSA Starfire. It was light blue and white and was ridden daily, on and off road for three years without the first problem. That bike chugged many a mile, two-up, over long-forgotten dirt roads through the little, rough mountains in my Southeast Kentucky home. I decided, however, I must have a knock-out looking BSA Thunderbolt 650. I liked that bike but regretted trading my Starfire. I've always dreamed of having a Victor Special or Shooting Star but, alas, I fear it's too late. The Victor in your video is so lovely and the way you talk about it is with admiration and modesty. Thanks so much. (I live in one of the most hard-hit counties from last week's terrible floods).
Bought a new Victor Special in 1970. Replacing a Clubman Goldie which I hated. Sadly cremated in a barn fire in -83. Two years ago found a 99% original B44VS. A year ago found another one. Both runs very well. Obviously I like them. Great gravel road bikes. Fairly comfortable even with a not too big passenger. Front brake very good for a drum brake. Not difficult to start done properly. Not suited for long motorway touring, small tank and revs too high. Nimble.
Thank you for sharing your knowledge of carburettors here. Although the throttle sectors should be obvious, I and probably 99.99% of those watching this didn't know that.
I had a B25 Starfire as my first bike - that is why I learned to work on bikes ! The standard joke at the time was about the 'exploded diagrams' in the workshop manual - that was how the bike was most of the time... when it went it was a great little bike but..... I suppose that's why I ride Harleys now - both former comments apply !
That, Sir, is a beautiful Motorcycle. Interesting. My 500cc Velocette scrambler had a truly vicious kick back when trying to start it. But if you kept the throttle closed it behaved itself and started easily (providing no one was watching). A guy asked if he could have a go on it I agreed and started to go through the starting procedure but he brusquely told me that he knew how to start a motorcycle. Thirty seconds later he lay on his side with a broken right ankle. He opened the throttle as he kicked it and felt what it was like to have thirty nine horses kicking him back. Served him right, smart Alec.
In almost every case where people tell me they can't start a big single, particularly B44s, they keep twisting the throttle while kicking it over. That and weak kicks.
@@BritanniaMotorcycles Owners handbook actually says "Open the twist grip a small amount only," but that might depend on your idling setting and how long you tickle.
It's the best way as it pinpoints which circuit is at fault. Of course deciding it you are rich or weak can be a problem as the symptoms can be confusing.
Thoroughly enjoyed your video on the BSA Victor 441 - I had a 250 Starfire in that era but my friend Dai Brogden (Kidlington / Oxford) had the 441 and loved it and it was a lot more reliable than my Starfire due to better design on big end bearings for a large single piston bike. (Mark Freeman)
Looks and sounds nice that. I remember years back we had a batch of zener diodes that were frying looms, they looked right but someone had got them copied but there was no diode in them, just solid brass with a nice lucar connector, we called them 'bolt on short circuits'
Hi Michael, love your videos. In the intro you said you calculated the compression ratio incorrectly. Would you kindly point me to that conversation. Was just getting ready to cut the plate to lower compression for my B44. That was based on the plate you installed on your cylinder dodges video. Thanks for the help.
Rupert Ratio says that for a standard B44 piston you need a 2.1mm plate to get 8:1. To be honest I can't remember that far back to what I said, but Rupert is the man.
I also made the mistake of lusting over a 441. Wanted one real bad for years and when I finely bought one I was blown away how bad it was ! On each power stroke, (When it ran) the bike surged, rattled and was generally a pain in the a** to keep running. Sure did look cool though.
Sounds like you had a very sick 441 as they are a very sweet running bike. There is a knack to starting them though and I have cured several customers starting problems by simply showing them the right technique for big singles.
Thanks for another great video Michael, if my Victor rebuild turns out to be half as good then I'll be well chuffed. I'd be grateful to hear your thoughts on when to use lockwashers or Nyloc nuts or Loctite for thread security, particularly on stainless fixings.
I almost always use Nyloc nuts with plain washers under the bolt head and the nut. The thing that I like about Nyloc nuts is that you don't have to tighten them as much as when using a lockwasher which you have to crush for it to work. It is gentler on painwork. I don't use Loctite much even on engine studs. I tend to use it when things like rockerbox studs won't stay in by themselves.
Ahead of its time. Handled brilliantly, great performance and an engine you could strip completeley without taking it out of the frame. They had a prototype bigger bike with a four cylinder four stroke engine.
Pity about the front end, to me it doesn't look right. I have a 69 B44VS and had trouble fitting my exhaust back in 1996 when the bike was rebuilt. Keep up the interesting vids. 👍🏴
Wonderful to learn from a fellow Limey in NY State. I'm in the Hudson Valley, but lived in Ithaca in '79. Do you accept visitors? I'd love to meet you. You sound like you might be from up around Newcastle way, my best mucker was a Geordie. Anyway, please keep'em coming. I have a '68 TR6C with Routt 800cc kit, a '68 P11A, and a '70 T100C. All in almost original condition. Cheers.
Hello Ian, yes I accept visitors, I love to gossip. But after the insult, a Geordie, I am a Middlesbrough boy born and bred. Look forward to seeing you and thanks for watching.
Oh boy, I do apologize for the slight Michael. My only excuse offered is that some of your spoken words were, to my ears, a little reminiscent of my best friend and his family, who were all Geordies, sorry... Lol! Well I'd certainly love to come up and chat. Actually made my day that there's a fellow expat. in the same state who shares my passion for bikes. Mind you, your knowledge and expertise is clearly way beyond mine. I came here on a company transfer to a hotel in Manhattan in '78 and have been here ever since. Really looking forward to more vids. of the Nortaha! Always loved the 3 cyclinder '70's Yams, but bought an XS650 shortly after I arrived. Kudos to your daughter for joining thE US Airforce too. 👍👍👍
Love your videos! I'm currently rebuilding a 72 BSA B50 and want handlebars same as yours. Where can I get those? They're perfect! Thanks (Geoff, Wolverhampton)
Mike, great information and an excellent job. I have a 67 b44 shooting star under restoration. Are you aware of an electric start mod for the b44 and b50? I am getting a new knee joint soon and am concerned about starting the big singles, my 250 is easy to kick. Thanks again.
I haven't seen an electric start conversion for the Beeza singles and I should think that it would be difficult. I don't see any easy way to get a drive to the primary side as because of the primary sprocket and alternator it would probably have to go on an extension to the crankshaft. Then you would need to modify the chaincase cover as it is a close fit to the alternator.
The best replacement is a new Amal Concentric Premiere. The main issues such as poor alloy for construction, a ridiculous pressed in pilot jet and a slide of the same material as the body promoting galling and wear have all been addressed. You can get one set up exactly as the original and just put it straight on.
Can't agree. Great engine based on the scrambles Victor. Good handling frame and effective brakes. Almost all of the complaints that I have dealt with have been from people who couldn't start the bike, and most were because of incorrect use of the decompressor and trying to start with an open throttle.
I have a BSA 441 Victor with 6,000 original miles all original blah blah blah you're such a pain in the ass to start I can see why it only has 6,000 original miles but I like my 250 much better almost as fast cruise to up 60 miles an hour all day. And on my Dirt Bike 250 I may be on the tail of the dog but they never lose me completely I keep up with the guys on their water cool wonders. Half a kick and a 250 get started.
@@BritanniaMotorcycles yes it is but I like the fact that the 250 kicks over so much easier and really provides me all the horsepower I need if I need to go faster I ride a bigger bike. Merry Christmas happy New Year all that good stuff ride safe.
![1972 BSA B50T Victor Trail [visit 8 of 31]](/img/n.gif)
It's funny these bikes are so popular now. As young lads we tuned the life out of these bikes. When they went well they would last for 10 minutes. But today 50 years later I would leave them alone and enjoy it while it lasts
I owned a 1967 BSA Shooting Star 441, the road model of this bike. Victor was a model for on/off road. Shooting Star had a red, fiberglass petrol tank with white indentation for the rider's knees. It also had the BSA brand badges on the tank identical to the 650 twin. Exhaust was down low, and the internal tube at the muffler would accept a VW Beetle muffler driven in which made the bike very quiet.
The two happiest days of my life; the day I bought my 1971 BSA 441 Victor Special, and the day I sold it. Replaced by a 1972 Honda 450, which was smoother, quieter, more reliable, didn't leak oil, had electric start, metric fastners, and a negative ground. 🏍☺
Mr. Waller, just stumbled across your video and I'm tickled to death I did! After starting out on Vespa and later a little Gilera/Sears Roebuck 106 cc bike I bought a beautiful 250 cc BSA Starfire. It was light blue and white and was ridden daily, on and off road for three years without the first problem. That bike chugged many a mile, two-up, over long-forgotten dirt roads through the little, rough mountains in my Southeast Kentucky home. I decided, however, I must have a knock-out looking BSA Thunderbolt 650. I liked that bike but regretted trading my Starfire. I've always dreamed of having a Victor Special or Shooting Star but, alas, I fear it's too late. The Victor in your video is so lovely and the way you talk about it is with admiration and modesty. Thanks so much. (I live in one of the most hard-hit counties from last week's terrible floods).
Bought a new Victor Special in 1970. Replacing a Clubman Goldie which I hated. Sadly cremated in a barn fire in -83. Two years ago found a 99% original B44VS. A year ago found another one. Both runs very well. Obviously I like them. Great gravel road bikes. Fairly comfortable even with a not too big passenger. Front brake very good for a drum brake. Not difficult to start done properly. Not suited for long motorway touring, small tank and revs too high. Nimble.
Thank you for sharing your knowledge of carburettors here. Although the throttle sectors should be obvious, I and probably 99.99% of those watching this didn't know that.
I had a B25 Starfire as my first bike - that is why I learned to work on bikes ! The standard joke at the time was about the 'exploded diagrams' in the workshop manual - that was how the bike was most of the time... when it went it was a great little bike but..... I suppose that's why I ride Harleys now - both former comments apply !
That, Sir, is a beautiful Motorcycle. Interesting. My 500cc Velocette scrambler had a truly vicious kick back when trying to start it. But if you kept the throttle closed it behaved itself and started easily (providing no one was watching). A guy asked if he could have a go on it I agreed and started to go through the starting procedure but he brusquely told me that he knew how to start a motorcycle. Thirty seconds later he lay on his side with a broken right ankle. He opened the throttle as he kicked it and felt what it was like to have thirty nine horses kicking him back. Served him right, smart Alec.
In almost every case where people tell me they can't start a big single, particularly B44s, they keep twisting the throttle while kicking it over. That and weak kicks.
@@BritanniaMotorcycles Owners handbook actually says "Open the twist grip a small amount only," but that might depend on your idling setting and how long you tickle.
Thanks for the info on the throttle tape for jetting. i'll use that at some point
It's the best way as it pinpoints which circuit is at fault. Of course deciding it you are rich or weak can be a problem as the symptoms can be confusing.
Thoroughly enjoyed your video on the BSA Victor 441 - I had a 250 Starfire in that era but my friend Dai Brogden (Kidlington / Oxford) had the 441 and loved it and it was a lot more reliable than my Starfire due to better design on big end bearings for a large single piston bike. (Mark Freeman)
Looks and sounds nice that. I remember years back we had a batch of zener diodes that were frying looms, they looked right but someone had got them copied but there was no diode in them, just solid brass with a nice lucar connector, we called them 'bolt on short circuits'
Faulty replacement parts. Heart attacks in a box.
Goldie and Victor very nice!
good vid well done good info on starting had an xt 560 start 1st 2nd kick every time some people ride for 20 years and can not start shit
My dad loved British bikes , BSA,Triumph, Norton. I've owned a BSA 250 my dad had a 1975 850 Norton.
My dad had BSA 650s and didn't get his first car until he was in his late 50s.
Don’t forget pain in the Gregory, Gregory Peck, neck.
Hi Michael, love your videos. In the intro you said you calculated the compression ratio incorrectly. Would you kindly point me to that conversation. Was just getting ready to cut the plate to lower compression for my B44. That was based on the plate you installed on your cylinder dodges video.
Thanks for the help.
Rupert Ratio says that for a standard B44 piston you need a 2.1mm plate to get 8:1. To be honest I can't remember that far back to what I said, but Rupert is the man.
Mike: Great job as usual on the Victor, I can't spell impeckable. Let me know when it stops snowing and starts raining in NY....Dave
Started raining yesterday. We are in the snow to mud phase.
I also made the mistake of lusting over a 441. Wanted one real bad for years and when I finely bought one I was blown away how bad it was !
On each power stroke, (When it ran) the bike surged, rattled and was generally a pain in the a** to keep running. Sure did look cool though.
Sounds like you had a very sick 441 as they are a very sweet running bike. There is a knack to starting them though and I have cured several customers starting problems by simply showing them the right technique for big singles.
Beautiful motorcycle. Nice work.
Thank you very much.
Fantastic
Thanks for another great video Michael, if my Victor rebuild turns out to be half as good then I'll be well chuffed. I'd be grateful to hear your thoughts on when to use lockwashers or Nyloc nuts or Loctite for thread security, particularly on stainless fixings.
I almost always use Nyloc nuts with plain washers under the bolt head and the nut. The thing that I like about Nyloc nuts is that you don't have to tighten them as much as when using a lockwasher which you have to crush for it to work. It is gentler on painwork. I don't use Loctite much even on engine studs. I tend to use it when things like rockerbox studs won't stay in by themselves.
I was wondering how the conversion was coming! Glad to see you're making progress!
Slowly but surely.
Thanks for the vid. I have a 67 that is almost done but it has a Mikuni on it and I'm having a time getting it sorted.
As always a beautiful job
Wow! That Ariel Leader was a bizzare looking bike!
Ahead of its time. Handled brilliantly, great performance and an engine you could strip completeley without taking it out of the frame. They had a prototype bigger bike with a four cylinder four stroke engine.
Pity about the front end, to me it doesn't look right. I have a 69 B44VS and had trouble fitting my exhaust back in 1996 when the bike was rebuilt.
Keep up the interesting vids.
👍🏴
May not look right but those forks work a lot better. Thank you for watching Peter.
Wonderful to learn from a fellow Limey in NY State. I'm in the Hudson Valley, but lived in Ithaca in '79. Do you accept visitors? I'd love to meet you. You sound like you might be from up around Newcastle way, my best mucker was a Geordie. Anyway, please keep'em coming. I have a '68 TR6C with Routt 800cc kit, a '68 P11A, and a '70 T100C. All in almost original condition. Cheers.
Hello Ian, yes I accept visitors, I love to gossip. But after the insult, a Geordie, I am a Middlesbrough boy born and bred. Look forward to seeing you and thanks for watching.
Oh boy, I do apologize for the slight Michael. My only excuse offered is that some of your spoken words were, to my ears, a little reminiscent of my best friend and his family, who were all Geordies, sorry... Lol! Well I'd certainly love to come up and chat. Actually made my day that there's a fellow expat. in the same state who shares my passion for bikes. Mind you, your knowledge and expertise is clearly way beyond mine. I came here on a company transfer to a hotel in Manhattan in '78 and have been here ever since. Really looking forward to more vids. of the Nortaha! Always loved the 3 cyclinder '70's Yams, but bought an XS650 shortly after I arrived. Kudos to your daughter for joining thE US Airforce too. 👍👍👍
I just acquired a 1968 BSA Victor Special... and I was wondering what tires were used on your bike? Thanks in advance!
Love your videos! I'm currently rebuilding a 72 BSA B50 and want handlebars same as yours. Where can I get those? They're perfect!
Thanks (Geoff, Wolverhampton)
Hello Geoff. I got those from one of my suppliers in the US, but they get almost all of their stuff from the UK. I think that they are made by EMGO.
Mike, great information and an excellent job. I have a 67 b44 shooting star under restoration. Are you aware of an electric start mod for the b44 and b50? I am getting a new knee joint soon and am concerned about starting the big singles, my 250 is easy to kick. Thanks again.
I haven't seen an electric start conversion for the Beeza singles and I should think that it would be difficult. I don't see any easy way to get a drive to the primary side as because of the primary sprocket and alternator it would probably have to go on an extension to the crankshaft. Then you would need to modify the chaincase cover as it is a close fit to the alternator.
get an electric roller starter
I have a friend that just acquired one of these I'm not sure quite the year I haven't seen it yet very cool bikes
They are a really nice bike. I am sure that he will enjoy it.
Very nice job 😉 I live in Canada and also have a 441 VS (1970) can you suggest a good replacement carb ? Ta very much
The best replacement is a new Amal Concentric Premiere. The main issues such as poor alloy for construction, a ridiculous pressed in pilot jet and a slide of the same material as the body promoting galling and wear have all been addressed. You can get one set up exactly as the original and just put it straight on.
@@BritanniaMotorcycles Thank you very much for that info Micheal 😉🇬🇧
Why don’t you tell us how to stop the oil leak in the head gasget on my B50t t caused by the oil hole & how to fix the 2 stripped barrel bolts 🇦🇺
Hampton wick?
I was at an auction and bought Peter Frampton's pick?
Zenner diodes!
I didn't know they needed heat sinks first time I used one.
You could have fried your breakfast on it (until it blew up)
Experience, the best teacher of all.
beautiful bike
I hate that muffler , it's to quiet..
I had the misfortune to own one of these. A terrible excuse for a motorcycle.
Can't agree. Great engine based on the scrambles Victor. Good handling frame and effective brakes. Almost all of the complaints that I have dealt with have been from people who couldn't start the bike, and most were because of incorrect use of the decompressor and trying to start with an open throttle.
I have a BSA 441 Victor with 6,000 original miles all original blah blah blah you're such a pain in the ass to start I can see why it only has 6,000 original miles but I like my 250 much better almost as fast cruise to up 60 miles an hour all day. And on my Dirt Bike 250 I may be on the tail of the dog but they never lose me completely I keep up with the guys on their water cool wonders. Half a kick and a 250 get started.
Clean carb and correct ignition timing and a B44 will start first/second kick every time. It is all in the technique
@@BritanniaMotorcycles yes it is but I like the fact that the 250 kicks over so much easier and really provides me all the horsepower I need if I need to go faster I ride a bigger bike. Merry Christmas happy New Year all that good stuff ride safe.
i wish you should have taken that key out
Long time since I did this job, which key?