I'm no mechanic, but I derive enormous pleasure (& instruction) from your videos: you are erudite, amusing and angry when you should be: keep it coming
The best BSA engine is the B50 with a 3 bearing lower end, heavier, thicker cases, big twin oil pump, beefed up transmission, forged piston and other refinements which combined to make this platform virtually bullet proof.
I've just stumbled on this video, I'm not too adventurous in seeking new channels. I was immediately struck by your reference to vibration. I had many of the twins available in the 60's and 70's, stripped and rebuilt loads of them. The one which stuck in my mind when it came to vibration was the A65. I had a Spitfire Mk 3, with remote float carbs etc, I built it, from scratch with everything done to make it go well. It vibrated so much that feet came of footrests and it was a challenge to ride, the power overcame the abilities of the frame (and me). I thought it was a one off because of the state of tune, but changed my mind when I rode other ones owned by friends. I think they are an inherently "vibratey" engine. It was a relief to sell it and get a Rickman Triumph. BTW I have now subscribed.
Does no-one make new parts for BSA (specifically barrels) as Morgo does for Triumph? SRM? From the video of your first ride, I couldn't make-out if it was a slap or a knock but your comments reminded me of a good friend who explored the innards of his A65 (years ago, when we were both in our 20s). He found one piston was +0.040" with a high comp crown (Spitfire?) and the other was std comp and bore PLUS a timing bush wrapped with aluminium foil. Enough to get it running/sold to an unsuspecting buyer; sound reminiscent of this story? I look forward to the conclusion and hope (despite the evident cost) this will become a successful project and a joy for the (impoverished) owner. Really enjoy the content, Paul.
Excellent work as usual Paul,at least when rebuilt the owner will have a good sound bike for many years to come and the piece of mind that goes with it.
This build will be so much better , this motor is going to be unrecognisable from the calamity you started work on , really look forward to see compitent build .
I wound up with an A65 engine and frame as part of a deal for a cb550 I was selling. It looked terrible externally so I stripped it down, it was mint internally and had an SRM timing side needle roller conversion, all that glitters isn't gold. I built it up with what I could lay my hands on and it ended up being quite a nice thing, looked scruffy but it went well.
It's been fascinating watching thanks for taking your time to film and post. Paul only one thing can you get some nice bright lights I have been in brighter coal shreds 😅
Hello Paul, great work on the A65 and i am not telling you how to do your job but if it was me i would take the oil tank off and seriously clean it out as a lot of crap can build up in there over the years and when you put new oil in it, the oil will get contaminated. I always use a Steam cleaner and i get my mate to put his boot on it as the pressure is quite high and it would blow the oil tank across the yard and i put the detergent on and it's amazing how black it is to start with and then it starts to come clean, then a good hot rinse and let the oil tank dry and you are good to go. Just my two cents. Cheers.
Great video series Paul which shows perfectly some of the pitfalls of working on A65 motors. All fixable, you need to consider line boring the bush when the main journal is sorted as this is the only way to guarantee correct running clearance, an expert and expensive job, needs to be done properly referenced to the other main bearing which takes time and skill, however once done right the bottom end will be good for many miles with regular oil changes. Needs a later (narrow flange) bush with a thrust washer too if going with a roller drive side bearing. Good luck sourcing barrels and fixing the bridge, catch you later when you jump back on it!
Outstanding, all of it. Youv'e held me spellbound for a few weeks now. The Blue A65 was brilliant. The bikes you get are special though, they represent the past glory of British bikes. Before Japan made us look like amatrurs, both on and off the track. Ever see Phil Reed on his 250cc Works Yamaha, whacking past our 500cc Manx Norton beautys ? The DBD 34 was IMHO the finest piece of motorcycle engineering ever to see a road surface. I would so love to have one, but the price !!! Looking forward to more and thankyou :) An avid Blackbird owner :)
Professional diagnosis Paul. At least the new owner now has a decent reliable future with this BSA. P.S. What ever happened with the police after your Trident near miss?
Gonna be an expensive A65 when it's done but that said.................it will be in top shape again and ready to ride off all the extra cost on nice weekends!
IMHO, check the balance factor ..and engine mount stud holes for wear. Rebuild the engine to a soft tune ( stock or slightly raise comp ) I always worry when there is no " one thing" that is a cause 😅 the owner while now facing a bill, will be happy ..if it was my bike that's what I would do ..
Yes knew there was more wrong with that engine it did not sound at all right it was also hesitating noticeably at times the timing side bush wear explains a lot of the mechanical noise i was hearing . Hope you get it sorted
Enjoying but please up the audio volume. Don't think you use a mic so I guess the volume needs increasing on your phone or camera. That is better than raising the level when editing. Ta.
Thanks - I get my crank grinds, rebores and valve seat work done locally, but the guy wouldn't want advertising, as he is winding down for retirement. He does a great job, though.
Hi Paul really enjoying your videos ( subscribed) Could i just ask your opinion on something? I am looking to get another British bike ( had a 64 Bonneville from 1985 til 2013 when i had to sell it because i needed the cash...😢) Am considering two - an A65 or a 750 Triumph, what is your opinion as to these, and which would you recommend as to rideability and reliability?
@@paulhenshaw4514 hi Paul thanks for your quick reply, bodgery is a real issue with anything of that age, but all things being equal is either inherently more prone to problems? ( In your experience)
Words cannot describe how grateful we are.
I'm no mechanic, but I derive enormous pleasure (& instruction) from your videos: you are erudite, amusing and angry when you should be: keep it coming
Thanks!
The best BSA engine is the B50 with a 3 bearing lower end, heavier, thicker cases, big twin oil pump, beefed up transmission, forged piston and other refinements which combined to make this platform virtually bullet proof.
Thanks for this a65 build I’ve done a couple myself and it’s nice to see a “professional “ build 👍
I look forward to seeing the rebuild and also the bike up and running. Well done with all that you found!!
Thanks for the upload. Love from New South Wales.
G'day from Australia, Paul your doing a great job, interesting to see how the alloy welding goes, cheers mate, Neil 🤠.
I've just stumbled on this video, I'm not too adventurous in seeking new channels. I was immediately struck by your reference to vibration. I had many of the twins available in the 60's and 70's, stripped and rebuilt loads of them. The one which stuck in my mind when it came to vibration was the A65. I had a Spitfire Mk 3, with remote float carbs etc, I built it, from scratch with everything done to make it go well. It vibrated so much that feet came of footrests and it was a challenge to ride, the power overcame the abilities of the frame (and me). I thought it was a one off because of the state of tune, but changed my mind when I rode other ones owned by friends. I think they are an inherently "vibratey" engine. It was a relief to sell it and get a Rickman Triumph. BTW I have now subscribed.
Does no-one make new parts for BSA (specifically barrels) as Morgo does for Triumph? SRM? From the video of your first ride, I couldn't make-out if it was a slap or a knock but your comments reminded me of a good friend who explored the innards of his A65 (years ago, when we were both in our 20s). He found one piston was +0.040" with a high comp crown (Spitfire?) and the other was std comp and bore PLUS a timing bush wrapped with aluminium foil. Enough to get it running/sold to an unsuspecting buyer; sound reminiscent of this story? I look forward to the conclusion and hope (despite the evident cost) this will become a successful project and a joy for the (impoverished) owner. Really enjoy the content, Paul.
Excellent work as usual Paul,at least when rebuilt the owner will have a good sound bike for many years to come and the piece of mind that goes with it.
Brilliant methodology. One thing though Paul can you turn your volume up please.
Volume is fine
I agree can you turn up the volume
There is nothing wrong with the volume ... you need to turn your hearing aid on 😂😂😂
@@damiantuttle1348 what did you say? I can't hear ya Mate !
This build will be so much better , this motor is going to be unrecognisable from the calamity you started work on , really look forward to see compitent build .
It’s great watching your approaches and thoroughness!
I’d love to see you do an A10 and a B33 too!👍
Anticipating the rebuild.
I wound up with an A65 engine and frame as part of a deal for a cb550 I was selling.
It looked terrible externally so I stripped it down, it was mint internally and had an SRM timing side needle roller conversion, all that glitters isn't gold.
I built it up with what I could lay my hands on and it ended up being quite a nice thing, looked scruffy but it went well.
It's been fascinating watching thanks for taking your time to film and post. Paul only one thing can you get some nice bright lights I have been in brighter coal shreds 😅
Cant wait to see it up and running again 👍
Great series Paul
.... keep em coming 👍
Hello Paul, great work on the A65 and i am not telling you how to do your job but if it was me i would take the oil tank off and seriously clean it out as a lot of crap can build up in there over the years and when you put new oil in it, the oil will get contaminated. I always use a Steam cleaner and i get my mate to put his boot on it as the pressure is quite high and it would blow the oil tank across the yard and i put the detergent on and it's amazing how black it is to start with and then it starts to come clean, then a good hot rinse and let the oil tank dry and you are good to go. Just my two cents. Cheers.
Rest assured, the oil tank will be getting a good clean!
Great video series Paul which shows perfectly some of the pitfalls of working on A65 motors. All fixable, you need to consider line boring the bush when the main journal is sorted as this is the only way to guarantee correct running clearance, an expert and expensive job, needs to be done properly referenced to the other main bearing which takes time and skill, however once done right the bottom end will be good for many miles with regular oil changes. Needs a later (narrow flange) bush with a thrust washer too if going with a roller drive side bearing. Good luck sourcing barrels and fixing the bridge, catch you later when you jump back on it!
Good video content. I am sure your client will have a very special motorcycle when it’s done.
It will be good to see and hear the final built up result of your labours.
Paul i have very much enjoyed this series of videos on this engine strip down and the faults and former mistakes made on it , whats next ? .
Thanks, there are a couple of recently stalled projects, which I hope to make some more progress with, all being well.
Outstanding, all of it. Youv'e held me spellbound for a few weeks now. The Blue A65 was brilliant. The bikes you get are special though, they represent the past glory of British bikes. Before Japan made us look like amatrurs, both on and off the track. Ever see Phil Reed on his 250cc Works Yamaha, whacking past our 500cc Manx Norton beautys ? The DBD 34 was IMHO the finest piece of motorcycle engineering ever to see a road surface. I would so love to have one, but the price !!! Looking forward to more and thankyou :) An avid Blackbird owner :)
Good stuff be nice see it going back together 👍
Great series.I like it.
Professional diagnosis Paul. At least the new owner now has a decent reliable future with this BSA.
P.S. What ever happened with the police after your Trident near miss?
Thanks. Apparently they 'did' the car driver.
Well done buddy . Very informative .
Well few thous out can not be Good hey Paul .
Gonna be an expensive A65 when it's done but that said.................it will be in top shape again and ready to ride off all the extra cost on nice weekends!
I think it was a Rolls Royce advert that claimed "the quality remains long after the price is forgotten".
@@anthonycarty9433 Well said!! :))
IMHO, check the balance factor ..and engine mount stud holes for wear. Rebuild the engine to a soft tune ( stock or slightly raise comp ) I always worry when there is no " one thing" that is a cause 😅 the owner while now facing a bill, will be happy ..if it was my bike that's what I would do ..
Balance the crank perhaps?
Bet the owner will a lot poorer than he envisioned, but he’s going to end up with the lovely example that he thought he had.
This must be relatively low mileage, for its age. Is the gear cluster in similarly good condition as the crank?
Yes knew there was more wrong with that engine it did not sound at all right it was also hesitating noticeably at times the timing side bush wear explains a lot of the mechanical noise i was hearing . Hope you get it sorted
Enjoying but please up the audio volume. Don't think you use a mic so I guess the volume needs increasing on your phone or camera. That is better than raising the level when editing. Ta.
Lovin the content where do you get your cranks repairs and ground
Thanks - I get my crank grinds, rebores and valve seat work done locally, but the guy wouldn't want advertising, as he is winding down for retirement. He does a great job, though.
Hi Paul really enjoying your videos ( subscribed)
Could i just ask your opinion on something?
I am looking to get another British bike ( had a 64 Bonneville from 1985 til 2013 when i had to sell it because i needed the cash...😢)
Am considering two - an A65 or a 750 Triumph, what is your opinion as to these, and which would you recommend as to rideability and reliability?
Hi, both can be good or bad, depending on their histories and what may have been done to them - and by who!
@@paulhenshaw4514 hi Paul thanks for your quick reply, bodgery is a real issue with anything of that age, but all things being equal is either inherently more prone to problems? ( In your experience)
The Triumph may be able to keep going for longer, when tired, bodged, or poorly assembled.
@@paulhenshaw4514thanks Paul, that's what I was kind of expecting you to say