BSA A65 T start up and run after rebuild and ignition timing set by strobe.

Following the first start up after a full engine rebuild, where the timing had only been roughly set and was a little retarded, I set the timing correctly by strobe, to get improved running. The oil pressure is not so high as on some of the Triumph machines I have worked on and this is the first A65 I have worked on which had an oil pressure gauge fitted, but it checked out ok with factory figures.

[@6060don]

I don't remember the single carb A 65's in Canada from the early 70's. I do recall the high pipe Firebird, Spitfire and Lightning. They were all with twin Amal carburators.

[@hermangibbs8163]

Excited to see it running again. Thanks

[@paulhenshaw4514]

Thanks! You and me both!

[@nigeh5326]

Looking and more importantly sounding good Paul 👍

[@paulhenshaw4514]

Thanks, Nige!

[@thra5herxb12s]

Sounds great and the oil pressure is amazing.

[@TriumphRascal]

Sounds good Paul. Fantastic oil pressure. Looking forward to the test ride when you can.

[@paulhenshaw4514]

Thank you - just waiting for the sun to come out!

[@michaelevans718]

I've got a 1962 A65 star twin oil pressure reads between 40 and 50 psi when riding along drops back at tick over especially on a hot day nice bike you've done kept up the good work Paul

[@paulhenshaw4514]

Thanks, Michael!

[@johnb5519]

She's running like a top. Can't complain about that pressure.

[@paulhenshaw4514]

Thanks again!

[@thinwelshman1]

Spot on Paul.

[@paulhenshaw4514]

Thank you!

[@piearm1271]

The owners now has a nicely sorted machine, should give many years service.

[@paulhenshaw4514]

Thanks, I hope so!

[@wdhewson]

Seems a lot of vibration for a BSA A65. Perhaps it has high compression pistons.
Can't wait to see her roost.

[@paulhenshaw4514]

The clocks and front mudguard shake around a lot, but the engine actually runs quite smoothly.

[@silvereith]

Nine to one compression on the OIF A65 T and L.

[@amelierenoncule]

My Russian Grand PAPA taught me 'Если масло не течет, машина не едет!' 'If the oil is not flowing,we are not going !' It's become an axiom to live by and has prompted me to immediately install an analog Oil-pressure gauge on every car/motorbike which I've owned.
I bathe in the feeling of safety that having one provides.
(BTW, 'Idiot Lamps' are for idiots !...but then, everyone here knows that.)

[@paulhenshaw4514]

Oil pressure gauges can be good, but they can also instill a feeling of doom, when the readings gradually become a little lower, progressively, as time goes by!

[@amelierenoncule]

@@paulhenshaw4514 Yes, well, while we have limited or no control o'er another's paranoia, we can teach the blighters to use a higher viscosity motor oil, or an STP-like additive. This fear, of low pressure, being the foundational reason for the latters' existence. TaTa !

[@Team-fabulous]

Beautiful bezza

[@paulhenshaw4514]

Indeed it is!

[@Jaysqualityparts]

I’ve seen the spec on some as low as 4psi at idle.

[@MrAndrew1953]

So in your opinion, was this bike a well built model from a mechanical point of view and did they handle well and stop with those brakes. Any major faults? Thanks. Always interested to know an overall assessment of bikes you work on of the era you service.

[@paulhenshaw4514]

I have been rebuilding a Triumph T120 RV engine at the same time and it struck me that both could be improved by using certain aspects of each other's designs. The timing side bush on the A65 is not what I would call weak, but it will not tolerate neglect or abuse and the engines need to be put together with care. As for the ride - performance, handling and braking are [should be] up to modern traffic speeds and the A65 engines pull well from low rpm's despite being a short stroke unit.

[@MrAndrew1953]

If those miles are genuine, that's a lot of work for such a low mileage engine.

[@paulhenshaw4514]

The piston crowns were clean when I removed the head and the ring gaps were just over the max, with the big ends on std and the sludge trap half full, as well as a worn out timing side main, I am not sure the recorded mileage is genuine for all components, but might be for some - I think someone has been 'at' this one before ...

[@bsatrialsguy9095]

looking good well done sound nice did you install oil pressure gauge ?

[@paulhenshaw4514]

Thank you1 the oil pressure gauge was already fitted by the owner and had been reading low, hence the engine rebuild.

[@bsatrialsguy9095]

@@paulhenshaw4514 i think it is good to have on british bike if you ever pass by southern ireland i will be happy to see you and cup of tea or something i havent seen working much on villiers engine which might be my next project

[@paulhenshaw4514]

Thanks - we holidayed in Southern Ireland on my T150V Trident in the early nineties and i worked on a Tug called the 'Sovereign', which was based in Dublin during dredging work in and around the port in the later nineties.

[@bsatrialsguy9095]

@@paulhenshaw4514 thats good sir you are weclome . still waiting for yr book on Performance Tuning on Royal Enfield . :-)

[@paulhenshaw4514]

@@bsatrialsguy9095 Thanks, I made a small start on that book in 2008, then got side tracked, but resumed work recently. It will be much more comprehensive than originally envisaged, but it is coming along!