When I first moved into Rusty Keep the plan was to put a two-post lift into the shop. Finally, 12 years later, I spotted a used one I could afford on craigslist which just so happened to coincide with the sale of the Suzuki–so I even had cash to complete the sale. This is the story of installing this beast, no easy task since everything is heavy and needs to go far up into the air.
Continue reading
There is yet another motorcycle in the shop, this one made in USA and based around a Harley sportster 1200cc motor. I’ve been wanting to try an “adventure” bike (Triumph Tiger, etc) for awhile and my pal Ted let me know his Ulysses was going cheap, so, having no self-control, I bought it from him.
Continue reading
Well, after an adventure chasing parts, finding some NOS 70-year-old bits on shelves all over North America, and doing a bit of a bodge, the BSA is back together and (hopefully) ready for riding again. You can see the supervisor of this work is pretty unimpressed in the photo above, but what does he know? Inside are a bunch of parts pictures if you like that sort of thing!
Continue reading
I think another consequence of my “benign neglect” of the BSA has surfaced: The clutch started slipping, just as I was headed out on the first real ride in years on it. You can see by the photo above that I dismantled the primary case to investigate.
Continue reading
Some recent troubles with the Land Rover, and a lack of space in said LR, saw me pick up this faded and high-miles 1992 Ford F250 to provide backup and hauling capabilities.
Continue reading
As you can see from the photo, the BSA A10 is alive again. My friend Ted got his A65 out and joined me on a short rumble around the neighborhood to celebrate. In all, it ran pretty well, though I need to do some fiddling with the idle.
Continue reading
Time to knock the rust out of the BSA tank…again. Third time in 20 years, at irregular intervals. The lining has failed again, and I don’t think I’m going to bother re-lining it this time. Just get the rust out and try to ride it and keep the tank full. Apologies about being able to see your non-influencer-looking author in the reflection!
Continue reading
As seen above, the carb has been dissembled, cleaned and thrown back onto the BSA Golden Flash. It was generally in OK condition, as you’d expect for what amounts to a new carb.
Continue reading
I haven’t ridden the A10 BSA in a few years…I got fed up with the difficult “warm start” situation so just let it sulk in the corner instead. Now I’m paying the price, as the tank is filled with stale gas and the carb was completely gummed up. As a consequence, I have the tank off to drain the crud and have the carb off to give it a clean. I will probably do a few other maintenance items, like an oil change and brake adjustment, while I’m at it.
Continue reading
Not much to report. I’ve put about 16,500 miles on the Disco since picking it up, and it has been a pretty good car. As you can see by the (crappy-taken-at-twilight) photo, it doesn’t get washed all that often, alas.
Continue reading