Not an RE, but British, None the Less

[2LZ]

1967 BSA B25 Starfire. The first and only bike I've ever bought, sight unseen, from one photo online, knowingly not running. It had been stored in a shipping container for over a decade. I jumped on it because it was complete, and the guy seemed "trust-able". Still a gamble...but I couldn't resist. The trust-able guy ended up being right. It's a good runner. No odd noises. Shifts great.

Anyway, it's been months, but it fired up and runs great after a very needed, fine-tooth combing. I finished the tank paint the last two days and finished assembly. I had to spring for a re-pop metal tank (from India!), as the original is fiberglass, and our ethanol gas eats them alive. Other than a bunch of detail work, it's ready for our local car show in July.

It's a quirky little devil, but wow, what a hoot to ride. It's a very fine accompaniment to my Interceptor 650. I'm sure they are swapping stories in the shop, as we speak.

 

[Eatmore Mudd]

Proper !!
I'm happy for ya man

 

[Woodstock]

1967 BSA B25 Starfire. The first and only bike I've ever bought, sight unseen, from one photo online, knowingly not running. It had been stored in a shipping container for over a decade. I jumped on it because it was complete, and the guy seemed "trust-able". Still a gamble...but I couldn't resist. The trust-able guy ended up being right. It's a good runner. No odd noises. Shifts great.

Anyway, it's been months, but it fired up and runs great after a very needed, fine-tooth combing. I finished the tank paint the last two days and finished assembly. I had to spring for a re-pop metal tank (from India!), as the original is fiberglass, and our ethanol gas eats them alive. Other than a bunch of detail work, it's ready for our local car show in July.

It's a quirky little devil, but wow, what a hoot to ride. It's a very fine accompaniment to my Interceptor 650. I'm sure they are swapping stories in the shop, as we speak.

It is a beautiful little machine.

 

[2LZ]

Took her out today for a half hour ride. Compared to the new bikes, it rides like a blender, but is super cool. As opposed to the other bikes in the stable, it needs a little Potty Training after the fact.

 

[Woodstock]

Took her out today for a half hour ride. Compared to the new bikes, it rides like a blender, but is super cool. As opposed to the other bikes in the stable, it needs a little Potty Training after the fact.

It's how you know it is a real one!

 

[Snowball]

Nice looking bezzer, does it run ok on unleaded ? Or did you have to do valves and guides ?

 

[2LZ]

Nice looking bezzer, does it run ok on unleaded ? Or did you have to do valves and guides ?

Runs fine. It doesn't get a lot of miles, it's more Shop Art. It gets about three miles round trip to town for a beer, about once a month.

 

[Kcso]

I was a Triumph guy but my buddy was BSA, that is a sweet machine!

 

[2LZ]

I was a Triumph guy but my buddy was BSA, that is a sweet machine!

Funny to mention that. My buddy is a Triumph guy and restored a 1970 Tiger 650, so I searched out the BSA. Lord knows a Norton in any condition was beyond affordable!

 

[Woodstock]

Funny to mention that. My buddy is a Triumph guy and restored a 1970 Tiger 650, so I searched out the BSA. Lord knows a Norton in any condition was beyond affordable!

The Adelaide traffic motorcycle police rode what I am thinking were Norton 750 Commandos when I was a lightie. An early memory is of my godfather arriving home after his shift. I often wonder what happened to those bikes. No one knew it was near the end.

 

[Kcso]

We use to have a problem with the points working loose. Many times had to do roadside adjustment. That was with the mid 60 s bikes.

 

[2LZ]

We use to have a problem with the points working loose. Many times had to do roadside adjustment. That was with the mid 60 s bikes.

Fortunately the PO installed an electronic ignition. One less thing to worry about. Set it and forget it!

 

[Stig57]

The Adelaide traffic motorcycle police rode what I am thinking were Norton 750 Commandos when I was a lightie. An early memory is of my godfather arriving home after his shift. I often wonder what happened to those bikes. No one knew it was near the end.

A couple of my mates joined the police so they could get a free Commando Interplod to run around on

 

[Woodstock]

A couple of my mates joined the police so they could get a free Commando Interplod to run around on

I didn't realize it was a separate bike until you made that reference. It's just on the cusp of memory recall. I still wonder what happened to them? Surely, someone would have wanted at least one to keep in the shed? "Plods" was because of Noddy? It's all coming back.

This is a classic Australian movie that for various reasons never went far but it really spells out the era I and others here remember well. The police detective road a Norton before he went Japanese but I can never tell what exactly it was. Stone (1974) - IMDb

 

[Stig57]

Never even heard of that film but looks pretty 70's. I'll give it a look when I find a copy.

 

[Woodstock]

Never even heard of that film but looks pretty 70's. I'll give it a look when I find a copy.

Very 70s. Ignore the plot and see the bikes, the gear and the rides. It is all very Oztralian and somewhat accurate of how some people I knew really were. Fat Chappie, aptly named and long gone, tried to pull 60 mph in first on his Z1 but blew the head gasket at a claimed 56. I sometimes wonder if he would have done it with less weight or was it impossible? revive movie, there is sometimes a copy of the movie on YouTube. Several versions but the real ending is when Stone says, "No cops."

 

[Woodstock]

Never even heard of that film but looks pretty 70's. I'll give it a look when I find a copy.

If you do see it, please tell me what Stone is riding before he converts to Japanese. It's a Norton but I can't place it.

 

[Stig57]

Will do

 

[2LZ]

She's ready for the local car show July 1!
Try as I might, I couldn't get the repop seat cover and foam to fit correctly so I seeked the help of a local pro. He nipped, tucked, changed a few seams and fitted the chrome strips for me. All for three 20's. I can't complain about that! Anyway, I think it turned out great. Just a little more detailing and she's ready.

 

[2LZ]

Cleaned up and ready for the car show Saturday. Not TOO polished. After all, it's not restored, but mostly original and ridden. Want to keep it that way.