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Newsletter of the BSAOC of Northern California
July 2018 Number 391
The Cachuma rally issue!
The way we were Letters Bucky Beagle Rides Maggie Shell Thuet BSA Car! Calendar Lake Cachuma Vintage rally BSA Brake fix BSA A65 book request Raber’s auction Swap meet Guess the riders What did he say? Contest Commander McBragg No Comment
The agony of defeat in the field meet
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Number 391 July 2018 The BULLETIN of the Northern California BSA Owners’ Club is the forum for the
exchange of information among the members. All material contained within this
newsletter is property of the BSAOCNC unless otherwise stated within the article.
Material is not to be reproduced or copied without the written consent of the
BSAOCNC. If you would like to use an article or picture found in this newsletter please
contact the Editor.
Deadline for submission of material for publication is the 10th of each month. Members are encouraged to submit technical information, ads, letters, photographs, or any other items of potential interest. Photos will be returned only if so requested in advance. Opinions expressed in the BULLETIN are those of the respective contributors, and do not necessarily represent the position of the Club membership or its officers. BOARD OF DIRECTORS John Magri President 415-587-7541 Jim Romain Vice President 707-894-3805 Ray Pallett Secretary 510-456-6578 Mike Crick 916-797-0879 Ants Uiga 949-466-6404 David James 510-562-6769 Gary Roper, 541-858-5313 REGALIA SALES Patti Meadows 775-359-8150 LIBRARIAN Randy Reiter 510-222-2546 WEBMASTER David James 510-562-6769 INTER. RALLY DELEGATE Barry Porter 831-464-2867 TREASURER Bill Whalen 707-837-0424 ADVISORS Thomas Stott (Pre-unit C Series Singles) 951-659-2406 Heinz Batterman (Gold Star) 510-339-1776 (M20/21) need volunteer *** - *** - **** Jack Wheeler (Pre-unit Twins) 510-724-1782 James Banke (Unit Singles) 831-335-1422 Jerry Meadows (Unit Twins) 775-359-8150 Bill Whalen (Rocket 3) 707-837-0424 Ray Pallett (Bantam) 510-456-6578 CONTRIBUTORS Maggie Neato (Personals) Write c/o the BULLETIN Claude Baddley Retired Lion tamer Sigmund Fraud Ex-analyst Commander Thaddeus McBragg Video Naval Commander Anne Nonomous Not really sure
Membership: The Northern California BSA Owners’ Club is open to all BSA enthusiasts at $20
per year. Associate membership is $5 per year for additional members in the same household.
The address for submitting material for publication in the newsletter is: 17320 Santa Rosa Mine Rd. Perris, Ca. 92570
. e-mail: [email protected]
www.BSAOCNC.org
Front cover: Fun at the field meet at the Lake Cachuma rally Back cover: The great Mike Hailwood showing his skill as a rider!
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The way we were Your humble Editor
In 1975 Norton was going down for the count. Having been a Norton rider since 1970 I was keen on a new Commando. Problem was I was newly married and my new wife was with-out any furniture save the milk crates covered with towels we had received for our wedding. We had a bed and a chest of drawers given by my father but that was it. The living room of our ground floor apartment had a dozen towel draped milk crates and a table I had made from an old pallet. So what does a newly wed couple buy as a first purchase? Why a new Norton of course. I should mention that our primary means of transport was my 1973 Kawasaki H2 complete with clip on bars and Reid-titan rear sets. I would take Marla to work at Angles hardware and then go further down Har-bor Blvd. to my job as manager at Cycle Rider Santa Ana, a motorcycle accessory shop. If it was raining Marla would carry her dry work clothes in a plastic bag and change at work, as would I. We did acquire another vehicle, a 1966 International Scout ex-mail truck, complete with right hand drive. The gas mileage was so bad even at $.25 a gallon that we usually rode the bike. I sold the H2 to buy a new Commando. I should mention the H2 had 36,000 miles when sold. We financed the Norton with a payment of $84 a month on a loan for $1475.00, the cost of a shiny leftover 1974 Norton . Norton/Triumph were having their “blockbuster” sale of Mk3 Commandos or T160 Tridents, your choice for only $1475.00 but I wanted a traditional right hand shift proper Norton. Champion motors in Costa Mesa had one that had been sitting in the showroom window so long the seat cover had cracked. Tom Or-lando, the owner of the shop, said the bike was $2895.00, the price of a Norton before the cash crisis the company had run into. I said I wanted that bike as it was but was only going to pay the going rate. Tom very grudgingly gave in (We had bought 6 bikes from him before including my H2 and my 70 Norton). He pushed the bike from its year long home in the window to the curb. I asked about service and he said the sale was as is where is, and there is your bike on the curb! No warrantee anyway as Norton shortly called it quits so I was on my own. Alas the bike dropped a valve through the top of the left piston within a week destroying the cylinder head and piston. Fortunately I had be-friended George Janovich of HPI International, a prominent Norton tuner. He had a used cylinder head and piston and soon had me going again. I had met George while he was service manager of Orange County Yamaha , also a Norton dealer. He had attempt-ed to keep my bought new 1970 Norton going. That turned out to be a hopeless task with the bike in the hands of a 17 year old! I had traded the Norton for a Suzuki 200 to get to school reliably and then traded that off for a 1970 BSA Rocket 3 with a thrown rod. My first rebuild on that BSA was a real learning experience. I tried to drag race the BSA with predictable results and so it gave way to the H2 also for drag racing with much greater success. Having gained much mechanical empathy from my 70 Norton/BSA A75 experiences I was perhaps better suited to ride my new 74 Norton. I took delivery on my 22nd birthday 9/22/75. And I still have that motorcycle. We rode it at this years Lake Cachuma rally. It endured some time with a broken speedo drive so mileage is an estimate. The original
speedo shows 93,000+ miles but I was using the bike for 2 years with no speedo drive 80 miles a day commute so the actual mile-age is close to 130,000+. I have my 1979 T140D bought new as well, that with 79,000 miles on. Anyone have a story about a Brit-ish bike bought new? We would love to hear it! Ed.
Autorrs 69 A75
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Letters to the Editor Send to: [email protected] or by mail : 17320 Santa Rosa Mine Rd,
Perris, Ca. 92570
We have re-opened ACE BRITISH MOTORCYCLE PARTS in Sparks, NV on an on-call basis to serve BSA and Triumph owners. We have over 6000 new and new-old-stock parts in inventory for BSA, Triumph, Amal, Lucas, Smith. Including gaskets and cables. We also have tons of used parts available. We are distributors for JRC Engineering and Wassell (out of England) for any-thing we do not have in stock. We have been involved with BSA’s for over 40 years and are long-time mem-bers of the BSAOCNC Please contact us at 775-224-1657 with your parts needs or questions. Or email your part numbers/requests to [email protected] Jerry & Patti Meadows
Thanks for your op-ed on statins. This is an issue that I would encourage you to pursue. As we age, the ability to roll up a country road, leaning into a curve, accelerating out, gunning down the next straight; it keeps us young. We don't have to be as we used to be; it is enough to experience the rhythm and dance down the road. No one likes pain but it is a part of the spectrum, the left end of the bell curve of life. The problem with pain medication [ and statins, et al.] is that they affect our motor functions, the response process, and leaves us unable to react sub-consciously. Our old bikes weigh about 350lbs and make 40hp. A modern Triumph weighs almost 700lbs and 70hp. The horsepower allows us to get into trouble ahead of our vintage timeline. The real issue, according to my friend Newton, is that the energy in the 700lb bike is four times that of a 350lb at the same velocity. A 150lb rider is in trouble. In West Marin, a bunch of us have taken to midweek rides on 250cc bikes [with buttons] on twisties. Yes, we are sissies., but the grins in the Western at our après ride pints washes it away. The agenda of the medical industry is to medicate us gently into the good night. Our agenda is to dance our bikes through the wonderful roads and scenery of Northern Cali-fornia, fulfilling the promise of our senior years. Keep control of your medicines. You know best. And pain is life. There will be lots of pain free times ahead, six feet under. Parra O'Siochain
In this day of acronyms I would like to propose that we start an action group for a distinct minority group who is being pushed out of existence. We could form a lobby and collect tax deductible money to influence con-
gress even. I would propose we establish the OGRBC. Old Geezers
Riding British Cycles. We could form chapters around the world to fight for the rights of old geezer riders on British made motorcycles. Just a though. Hugh DeMann
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Letters to the Editor– part 2
Dear Editor, I wanted to share the proper starting method for a British twin. This varies from the single instructions I gave some time ago and I have found that many have been starting their bikes incorrectly. Here is the method: 1. Approach the machine with a since of awe and wonder, they respect this and being
English expect it. A wrong attitude will certainly be met with failure 2. Once you have established the proper attitude you must address the machine. As
the British are at all time proper avoid being overly familiar and by all means avoid profanity.
3. Gently place the machine on the centre stand. Swing the kick arm out. Open the fuel petcocks. Place the newly broken off petcock lever in your pocket for later.
4. Tickle the carburetors, the machines love this but may wet themselves for the joy of it.
5. Switch on the ignition 6. Place foot firmly on the kick lever while holding the throttle slightly open 7. Hop around quietly swearing after the kick lever kicks you back! 8. Repeat with the throttle fully closed 9. Repeat step 8 as many times as you have the strength to do so. 10. Once the engine has started have an assistant keep the engine running while you
gear up. 11. Repeat step 8 and 9 after assistant fails to keep engine running. If married to assis-
tant step 1-2 apply to them as well. 12. You are now free to ride. Seymour Nudnik
Hi Bill, Just wanted to say kudos for the very fine job that you’ve been doing for the Bulletin. The Way we were is something I can really relate to. Even though I am a few years your senior (1935). I rode mostly by myself unhindered in the Los Padres Forest east of Solvang, Santa Barbara and etc. Mostly grad-ed or ungraded dirt roads which are all now hard surfaced. This was done mostly on a 50 Panhead, 53 K-model and a 52 Matchless G80CS. Luckily I fell a lot but was never hurt badly. Like you that is the way it was. I wanted to set the record straight. Solvang is a Danish Colony founded in 1909, and not Dutch. They also had windmills in Denmark. I was born there in 1935, and my folks were 100% Danish. Dad an immigrant, mom’s folks were also. We learned Danish first, and would talk to most merchants in Danish. Still speak well enough to get along even in the old country, and to my siblings, on occasion . I headed back for a visit to see family 6/20/18 thru 7/4/18. Speaking of Solvang, Virgil museum is a real class act, and he himself also. All of the land on the east side of Alial Road was fields, except for the mission Santa Ines. Mostly the Duff Ranch all the way to the river. The river was also a good venue for the unhindered riding. Just like where you grew up. Times have changed and I didn’t know if it is for the best. I know it is called progress and like you have seen many changes. Time marches on. Keep up the great work, and thanks for all the effort you put into it. Be safe and keep the rubber on the road! Otto Lindegaard.
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DEAR MAGGIE:
My latest girlfriend, "Ophelia", loved to ride pillion on my 1956 BSA Road Rocket. She also happened to be studying to be-come a nun. One of her favorite stunts was to yell, "Get me to a nunnery!" as we pulled away from the curb I realized that in the future our relationship might have to un-dergo some drastic changes, but I live in the moment, and "Ophelia" really knew how to lean into those curves, if you get my drift! So one day we were getting ready to go out for a Saturday morning spin on the ol' BSA, and while I was checking tire pressures, "Ophelia" put on her nun's attire. I heard her say, "This is getting to be a bad habit!" and since I valued our spiritual relationship above all others, I vowed then and there to sell my beautiful BSA in order to keep my soul-mate happy. The motorcycle sold quickly, and I was sad to see it go. Howev-er, when I next saw "Ophelia" she asked where my trusty BSA was, so I expected her to be joyful knowing that I'd made such a sacrifice for her happiness. Instead, she
called me a stupid, insensitive humanist, (Ouch!), and said that she'd only been refer-ring to her nun's habit when she made that comment. She then proceeded to inform me that the only reason she'd been associating with me was the special, intense tingle that she got every time she rode on the back of my vibrating 650 twin. Now "Ophelia" has left me, and I no longer have the other love of my life, the Road Rocket. Maggie, where did I go wrong? – SELLIBATE IN REDWOOD CITY
Dear Bitchless:
Well, you went wrong when you sold the bike. But we have to take a look at the un-derlying reasons behind your irrational behavior. You seem to have a bad habit of choosing the wrong type of woman – or, allowing them to choose you. After all, Ophelia admitted that she looked at you and saw not a lover but a vibrator. Right? So firstly, you have a real communication problem in that you don’t really understand the female lexicon. Secondly, you are thinking with the wrong organ, most of the time. So the next time you encounter what you think is a real sweetie, simply put your mind in neutral and follow the instinctive directions of your manhood. It will always point you in the right direction. And never, never again sell another BSA.
When a gentleman offers a lady a ride to Yosemite on the pill of his A-10, should he roll up his leather jacket for her extra seating comfort even at the risk of ruining the clean lines of his bike? Butchie in Nevada
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Hi Bill,
Just received my newsletter. I'm going through it and come to page 12. I said hey, that's Shell Thuet. The track is Carrell Speedway in Gardena which ran from 1940 to 1954. I'm sure that would be Shell's Indian Scout. # 63X belonged to Jack Kerzman at the time. Don Haw-ley had a great deal of success on Shell's Indian before Shell built the RE 500 singles. Then Elliott Schultz was an Ascot sensation on Shell's RE. The list is shorter of who didn't ride for Shell rather than who did. I believe Sammy Tanner was the last rider to win an Ascot main on a Shell RE single in 1969. By 1970 the Gold Stars and other singles were history with the rule change allowing 650 and then 750's with brakes. Yamaha mounted Kenny Roberts, Hank Scott, Wayne Rainey, and Eddie Lawson, are just a few of the great riders who rode Shell equipment. Great photo of a great man who made it to 99! Dennis
Bill; the famous tuner is Shell Thuet. Ron Letcher.
It's Shell Thuet of Shell Motors Lynwood, California. -- Russell Hudson
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THE TURNER TALE OF THE BSA CAR I have collected BSA motorcycles for the past 35 years. During this period I have bought and sold many BSA motorcycles, but never a BSA car. About a year ago a good friend phoned me and said there is a nice BSA car for sale close to where you live. He gave me the owners phone number and in spite of the fact that I called the first day it was advertised it was already sold. Now I had the bug to add a BSA car to my collection.
Flash forward to October of this year. Another BSA car showed up on ebay. A 1937 BSA Scout Series 4. The only problem was it had been apart for the past 40 years, When the current owner got tired of working on it he stored it in his basement. He was now moving house and had to sell it. The asking price was a little high, so I did not bid on it. He did not receive any bids, so after a week I contacted the seller and made a reasonable offer, which he accepted.
Now the fun begins. The car was located in Elgin, Illinois 1200 miles from where I live in Mount Dora Florida. This was Saturday, Oct 4th. I had already made reservations to attend the Barber Museum Vintage Motorcycle Festival Starting the next Friday. I had to act fast as I did not want to lose this car to another buyer. I also wanted to pick the car up myself so that I could make sure I had all the parts and to talk to the owner to get as much history of the car as he could tell me.
The owner wanted cash and I had no car trailer, two small obstacles to overcome. I phoned my friend that had a car trailer, but he lived 150 miles the other way. Another small obstacle. I had to wait till Monday until the bank opened, then drive 150 miles the other way to get the trailer. So at noon on Monday after I picked up the trailer, the big drive started. Lucky for me my wife shared the driving.
After two long shared driving days, we were within 100 miles of the car. Wednes-day morning we set out to pick up the BSA car. What should have been a short drive turned out to be four hours, because we had to go through Chicago. So around noon we reached our destination.
The car was in the garage and was as described. What we did not realize was the large number of parts that were in boxes and all over the garage floor.
CAR AS FOUND After enlisting the aide of a person walking by we managed to load the car on the trailer.
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CAR LOADED ON TRAILER It took us another two hours to load all the parts. So at two o’clock we started back. Of course we had no rain on the way up. But, after 20 minutes it started to rain, right in the middle of Chicago traffic, with a loaded truck and trailer. Not fun. Little did we realize that it would rain off and on the whole trip back.
After unloading the car and parts. I started sorting things out. Here is what I found. The wiring was in a bundle at the bottom of the parts.
The windscreen has a BSAFWDC decal. So at least the windscreen was a member of the BSAFWDC club at one time. WINDSCREEN WITH BSAFWDC
DECAL
According to Peter Cook the Dash is a “non standard dash” I thought that he was being very tactful.
Things to do next. Sort through the parts. Join the BSAFWDC, which I did. (Wow, the members are great and very helpful.) Order manuals, parts list and other literature. All on CD’s. Then start my restoration, which I will document and write about.
Harris Turner BSAFWDC member number 1846
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06 Jul (Fri) BSAOCNC 07 Jul (Sat) NORTH WOODS RIDE, Departs Nevada City 08 Jul (Sun) Don Danmeier, 415-898-0330 15 Jul (Sun) NCNOC ride Ken Armann, 408-455-9388 15 Jul (Sun) SCNOC Wrightwood ride socalnorton.com 16 Jul (Mon) International Norton Owners Association (INOA) 17 Jul (Tue) “Tall Timber” Rally 18 Jul (Wed) Elma, WA 19 Jul (Thu) http://inoanorton.com/ 22 Jul (Sun) North American Velocette Owners Club Rally through 28 Jul (Sat) Baker City, Oregon 22 Jul (Sun) BSAOCSC “RIM OF THE WORLD” RIDE Steve Ortiz, 951-440-3521 or Barbara Barrett, 661- 703-9249 05 Aug (Sun) BSAOCSC “COOL RIDE” Barry Sulkin, 310-398-6406 or Barbara Barrett, 661- 703-9249 09 Aug (Fri) NCNOC campout, ride and dinner 10 Aug (Sat) Dardanelle Resort 11 Aug (Sun) Ken Armann, 408-455-9388 11Aug (Sun) SCNOC Prince pf Darkness Ride www.socalnorton.com 12 Aug (Sun) AMCA / BSAOCNC “RIGID RIDE” Pete Young, 415-794-4692 17 Aug (Fri) BSAOCNC SIERRA RIDE 18 Aug (Sat) Grass Valley to Sparks for the chili cook-off 19 Aug (Sun) Jerry Meadows, 775-359-8150 19 Aug (Sun) BSAOCSC MALIBU MOUNTAIN RIDE Charley Caspery, 818-384-4074 or Barbara Barrett, 661-703-9249
2018 Clubman’s Calendar
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2018 Lake Cachuma Vintage Motorcycle rally is in the history books now but a great time was had by all. I was part of the original founders way back in 1989. I missed only one year in all the years the event has been going on. Great food provided by Cowboy caterers that is truly well worth the price of admission. Great times to bench race and rub elbows with some legends of the sport as well. Triumph Motorcycles donated a number of very costly jackets and other goods that more than paid for some lucky winners trip. Hosts Jodi and Eddie Mulder did a great job of making everyone fell at home and welcome. Cos-mic Joe organized his usual selection of amazing rides with strategic prize vouchers hidden along the route. I did not get there in time to win a prize but the sponsors sup-plied a bounty of goodies for the attendees so no one went home empty handed.
The field events put on by Steve Ortiz of the SoCal. BSA club went off very well and are a high point of the event for many. These are the same type events that the clubs put on in the 50’s. I will be practicing for next year so watch out.
Field meet fun
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A few of the bikes
Our host, Eddie Mulder
Some of the attendees
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The under roof bike show
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Bob encourages one of the competitors
The slow race, last one wins!
Slalom course, easy!
On the Liberty loop ride
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A novel approach to a problem with 71-72 conical
front brakes? Home made solution you ask?
Rumor has that the BSA factory originally planned to used hydraulic actua-tion of the conical brake on all 1971-72 big twins and triples but the finan-cial problems with the company sidelined the idea. Who knows, maybe
it would have worked!
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Hi Bill, This fellow from the UK club is looking for help from original owners and included some photos to help attract attention. Maybe we can put a couple of photos and his request in the Bulletin? David James
Subject: A request from the UK and some photos Hi there As a BSAOC member here in the UK I’m aware of you lot State-side in North California and was wondering if you might be able to help me out? By putting something along the lines of the attached document in your next copy of the Bulletin? The book I’m working on is genuinely very different from anything previ-ously produced, as I’ve got somewhat privileged access to lots of ex-factory contacts. This really is a labour of love for me, as an A65 was my first ‘proper’ bike and I’ve never been without one. As such, any help appreciated. Incidentally I’ve attached a few photos, as they might not be things you’ve seen before. And might draw attention to my request! Use which/what-ever you want (though don’t circulate too widely, as they’ll be in the book!). Cheers Pete
Rod Gould photo - “One model you didn't get in the ‘States! 1970 Yamaha World Champion Rod Gould, taking 4th place at the Hutchinson 100, in 1966, on a Lightning Clubman. Mike Hailwood won the same race, on the same mod-el, the previous year. When Gould had placed 4th again.”
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Peter Brown photo – “Experimental Depart-ment engine develop-ment engineer (A65/50) and 1968 British Sidecar cham-pion (not surprisingly on an A65!), Peter Brown, at the Church Lawford Sprint, 1964, on a prototype A65 Hornet. Peter Brown: “Bert Perrigo only said I could go if I won. So I did!” Chris Vincent photo – “Multiple British Side-car Champion Chris Vincent on his A65 outfit. There weren’t many solos which could wheelie up Cadwell Park’s fa-mous ‘mountain’ in 1964. Let alone a sidecar!”
Vale Onslow photo – “Vale-Onslow was probably the biggest Birmingham dealer-ship. In 1969 it was done up in new BSA-Triumph corporate livery, as a model for other dealers to copy. The premises burnt down in early 2018, but the business is still up and running, now in a new loca-tion.”
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Glamorgan Police photo – “Glamorgan police, from Wales, testing a US only market Royal Star, in 1964, when picking up their own rather more sedate ver-sions from the BSA factory.”
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History of Raber's Parts Mart Here is the world’s chance to come and get Bob Raber’s famous British Motorcycle parts collection. As I went through the warehouse I kept finding little signs on parts and mo-torcycles stating “Do Not Sell – Bob”. Well, now Bob has decided to retire and spend time with his lovely wife, Betsy. Bob and his family have contracted J. Wood and Company to sell those parts at NO RESERVE. NOTHING will be sold before the auction! We don’t make the prices, You will.
Bob Raber started working in the motorcycle business in 1958. He bought the shop he was working in and has been saving parts for British Motorcycles ever since. He bought-out shop inventories, Hap Jones, GP Cycle Works, the Sandy Bandit and others. Bob even bought out the Norton / Triumph importer from Kuwait. The inventory is unbelieva-ble. I have been working with British bikes for 53 years and I saw brand new parts that were quite uncommon, but very desirable. The quality and quantity is very impressive. There is even a 4,500 square foot warehouse packed full of parts that Bob has not even had time to pick through. It is packed with priceless, rare parts. That inventory will be brought to the shop and put into the auction sale.
We will tag things in reasonable lots. All of the motorcycles will be sold one at a time as well as some engine and transmissions. If we are able to put a frame with an engine, we will do that and sort of make-up kits. We expect to sell the NOS Parts by the shelf unit load. Our goal is to give everybody an even shot at this treasure. Riders, dealers big and small as well as major distributors.
Don’t miss this auction! This is a once in a life-time opportunity. British motorcycles are still selling very well. If you have not participated at a J. Wood auc-tion, you might be impressed. We do not take any false bids or do any false “Bumping”. We run the straightest auction you can attend. We also know motorcycles. I have been working in the motorcycle business for 53 years. We love motorcycles and motorcycle people.
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Bulletin adds work! Swap Meet, buy-sell-trade Only British motorcycle related items will be listed, with BSA items having priority. Unless otherwise requested, ads will run for three consecutive issues. If you find/sell what you are advertising for during that period, please send the Editor a cancellation notice!
The methods for submitting ads for publication are: Preferred: via Email, [email protected] with any photos in .jpg format
Next Best: Phone 951-943-5886. Good: mail to 17320 Santa Rosa Mine Rd, Perris
Wanted: BSA 1947 350 rigid
Any condition to match the machine I raced in the
40’s and 50’s. Please hurry, I am 91 years old!
Norman Forrest 510-494-9555
1968 Triumph T120 Rick Price engine, Kelly Moss wheels. Has large tank, small tank available. Powdered coated frame, mikuni carbs, stainless fenders, matching numbers, electronic ignition, manuals, receipts, spare parts. $6250.00 OBO Contact Michael at [email protected] or 707-823-5532 5/18
Its time to get rid of some of the projects I’m never going to get around to doing anything with. I acquired both these bikes as part of the purchase of other motorcy-cles. Approximately 1941-5 Ariel single. Its got an original engine with a Norton gearbox grafted on and no forks or wheels. If your looking for Ariel parts or a real project it might do you more good than me. Matchless 1954 G-80 jampot shocks. Rolling chassis, motor kicks through no spark from the mag missing the tank and the dyno. Correct front wheel with the wrong axle. Needs everything gone through but most of the bones are there, it might be a better parts bike than a builder but the buyer can decide for them-selves. Bikes are in Sacramento. Reasonable offers will be considered. Jeremy at 916-500-3013 or [email protected]. Don’t make me resort to e-bay 5/18
.Wanted! " I am looking to purchase a 1962 BSA Star for a re-build. contact Ron Saunders 503-680-5321." 6/18
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BSA Rocket 3 Very original survivor
with many recent parts replaced to assure rideability and reliability. All original paint and seat covering. New Avon Roadrider tyres and tubes, new Boyer ignition, solid state regulator/rectifier, plus many other important parts. Some extra parts/accessories too. Clear CA title and current registration. 11,822 miles on speedo but probably not correct. I've rid-den it 5,500 miles in the last 5 years. $12.000.00 Dave Molloy 530-273-3726 or [email protected].
Fantastic Bikes for sale in Southern California:
1956 BSA Gold Star Scrambler $12,500.00 1959 BSA Gold Star Clubman $16,500.00 1937 Velocette KSS $16,500.00 1977 Triumph T140 Silver Jubilee $7,500.00 1965 BSA Starlite Beagle 75cc 30 miles $4,000.00 1959 Royal Enfield big head fury original $9,000.00 1966 Matchless G85 scrambler $21,000.00 1967 Matchless G80CS 1100 miles $11,500.00 1968 Seeley Matchless G50 racer $33,000.00 1965 Royal Enfield Interceptor, original $6,500.00 1949 Norton DOHC Manx Garden gate $25,000.00 1951 Vincent drag bike, beautiful! $50,000.00 Contact Greg 760-522-1755
1966 Velocette Venom, alloy tank, factory rear sets, clubman pipe, clubman bars, alloy wheels, s/s spokes, new tires, new BTH mag, (original Lucas competition mag included), books. Ready to ride.
$13,500. Bill (209) 293-2247 or [email protected]
1951 Iron MAC, Very nice, One of the 50 that Lou Branch assembled, Older Ed Gilkison restoration, has won awards at BSA Club-man Show, new tires, current registration
$7500. Bill (209) 293-2247 or [email protected]
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More Swap Meet
"Very reluctantly putting my rare 1963 Rocket Gold Star/Gold Star Spitfire up for sale. Won it’s division at the last Clubman’s show. For more information please go to: http://www.classicmotorcycleconsignments.com Click on “Browse Motor-cycles" button then click on the British Button. I can also do a local deal (pick up
only) in San Jose area. $22,500 OBO Thanks, Geoff Ullmann 408-644-2876"
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Here is another flash from the past! Can you name these amazing riders? Your editor had the privilege of meeting both men and they were the real thing! Send your response to:
[email protected] or mail to:
3110 Indian Ave, unit E, Perris Ca. 92571
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The epitome of all things British and motorcycling! Bob
Raber at Cachuma
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The world according to Commander McBragg Apologies to Total Television
Have I ever told you about the time I won the Iditarod dog sled race with my BSA motorcycles? Why yes Commander you have, and I must really be going…… Ridiculous my lad, it bears telling again anyway. I was far north in the Canadian Rockies on the hunt for gold when I heard of the greatest race on earth, the Iditarod! Having won all the great races on the continent and in the UK I was keen on trying my hand at this one. But really Commander, this is a dog sled race. A dog sled race for dogs Commander. How can you say you competed on a motorcycle? So glad you asked my boy. You see we had been developing a small bore motorcy-cle called the Beagle, a 75cc wonder that would soon put all other cycle makers in their place. As it happened the Canadian BSA importer had a brace of the lovely little bikes on hand. I fashioned an ingenious method of working the controls from the sled and fas-tening the bikes 2 by 2. I was able to construct a working dog sled with which to compete controlled from the drivers sled. Entering the event with my breed of dog listed as “Beagle” I was of course ridiculed for the inappropriate choice of breed for the race. Little did any of the competitors realize the awesome power I had at my fingertips. The event was most certainly mine for the taking! Really Commander, that is preposterous! The event is for dog sleds! Looking closely at the rule book I was certain that my sled met the exact letter of the rule book and so entered with confidence. Alas another maker had also anticipated this opportunity and had made a similar rig to mine. You recall that we had lost a Beagle to robbers in the States some time before. It seems that the brigands had sent that ma-chine to a competitor’s factory who had attempted a copy. This was to be their chance to introduce their “new “ model. They had made a hash of the copy, even having placed the shift lever on the left side, the swine. The honor of BSA rested squarely on me once again even here in the frozen wasteland of the north. So Commander this race had really gone to the dogs then, so to speak. Quite so. At the beginning of the race it was snowing so much that the other competitors failed to notice that two of us were not using actual dogs to power our sleds. We two shot into the lead immediately and it was quite evident that the race was between the two of us. The counterfeit cycles were from a sound design and were giving a good ac-count of themselves, I was having a duce of a time staying ahead of them! Ah but breed-ing will tell. The BSA Birmingham engineers knew metallurgy much better than the coun-terfeiters and just miles from the end of the race the copy failed due to the extreme cold leaving the jockey to freeze in the wasteland. Serves the blighters right Commander. So did you win? Seeing my competitor stranded and facing certain death from the weather I did what any real Englishman would do. I turned back to see to his rescue. While making prepara-tions for him on my sled the other competitors caught us up and passed us for the win. The honor of England and BSA were however intact as we had sacrificed the win for the safety of a fellow cyclist, regardless of his loyalties. Really Commander, well done. Champion I say. So even though the race did go to the dogs you won in a better way. Quite so, the other factory was so appreciative they scrapped their copy and cobbled together another design. As Beagle was taken they settled for H*nd* “Cub” . Amazing Commander, so the other maker had to bear with the cub name. Quite so.
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HONORARY MEMBERS OF THE BSA OWNERS CLUB OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA:
Dave Aldana Earl Bowlby Don Danmeier Dick Mann Bob Raber Jim Rice Jeff Smith Craig Vetter In Memoriam: Kenny Eggers Nick Nicholson Roland Pike Roy Bacon Neil Keen Chuck “Feets” Minert Eddie Dow
BSAOCNC Committees:
NEWSLETTER Bill Getty, Editor 951-940-5411
Don Danmeier 415-898-0330
RIDES Don Danmeier, Chair 415-898-0330
Ray Pallett 510-456-6578
Mike Crick 916-797-0879
CALIFORNIA Don Danmeier, Chair 415-898-0330
BSA RALLY David James 510-562-6769
ELECTIONS Ants Uiga (Chairman) 949-466-6404
Gary Roper, 541-858-5313
David James 510-562-6769
MEMBERSHIP Bill Whalen, Chair 707-837-0424
Patti Meadows 775-359-8150
WEB PRESENCE David James, Chair 510-562-6769
Patti Meadows 775-359-8150
Jeff Sunzeri 831-636-3020
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS Frank Casey Carnelian Bay, California
Gary Smythe Pollock Pines, California
This section of the race really
separates the men from the boys!
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32 BSA BULLETIN
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