BSA B31 start up

This is a recent restoration of mine. It started first kick today after 'tickling' the carb.
I retarded the ignition lever and adjusted the throttle slide to get it to tick over
it still needs some fine tuning, as does my movie technique! will be MoT ing it next week, and intend to start riding again, can't wait!

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• BSA
• B31
• motorcycle

[ellaguru]

Thanks for the nice comments, and keep riding your Beeza, that's the way it should be!

and is the right way to get around Paris. I saw a nice Triumph 650 TR6 when I was there last year.....unfortunately I was on foot at the time

[ellaguru]

@Flyingfin95, thanks for the comments hope when you get you license you will be able to ride it, you will love it!

[MrAndy2909]

Ellagura...bought one B31 1950 two owners...may need some help though, lots of levers on the handle bars what are they all for, one under the clutch lever i assume its for "Cut Off" to the engine...what are the others for and how do I start it??? Help!!!

[ellaguru]

@MrAndy2909 Starting proceedure is tickle the carb until petrol emerges/ retard the ign lever, and kick it up!

[KEVERNEMAPP]

I have the exact same bike from 1949 that I bought in 1983 in Scarborough,now I live in Paris and ride her everyday!

Only thing is though,she's not as shiny and as smooth running as yours!

Great restoration job,wonderful sound,pure mechanical percussion!

I'll have to stop riding mine everyday and polish her up but I just can't seem to spend a day without a run around Paris.

Bravo!

[h1aa]

Nice bike. Lovely clean well proportioned simple lines.

[Flyingfin95]

That's most shiniest BSA i've ever seen ! You have done a great job ! Im really looking forward to get my Zb31 restored =D even though i dont have a driving license for a motorcycle... But atleast i can watch my dad riding it ! We found her in a old barn that we bought , covered by dry hay , so she's a real treasure. Runs perfectly , and the sound is just amazing :)

-Greetings from Finland !

[MrAndy2909]

@ellaguru: Thanks you are a star.......

[ellaguru]

@MrAndy2909

No problem, just slightly pull the valve lifter, then it will cut out. I also have a BSA B20; a side valve from '37, and to stop that I have to put my hand over the carb!

I actually stopped the B31 this way until I read somewhere about the valve lifting method

cheers!

[MrAndy2909]

@ellaguru:its me again, many thanks for your advice: managed to get her started this evening, what a bike sounds fantastic, the throbbing is what a British bike should sound like, I'm going to have this a a ring tone, can't stop watching your clip and grinning like a Cheshire cat at my bike!! She needs a good clean this weekend, can you help me with another question: how do I stop her? My bike stopped on her own thank god!

[ellaguru]

Hi Mr Andy, the lever under the clutch lever is the valve lifter, it operates a cam that lifts the exhaust valve off it's seat. The idea it to use it while (with the kick start) taking the piston just over compression. It is supposed to make it easier to start, and not kick back. I don't use it personally, as long as the timing is correct, you shouldn't get any problem.

on the same side is the air lever.

on the other side of the bars is the advance and retard lever.

hope this helps