owner’s club of southern californiaan bikes, ranging from ducati, ferrari, mv agusta, modial ,...

Owner’s Club of Owner’s Club of Owner’s Club of

September 2012

Established 1978

Southern CaliforniaSouthern CaliforniaSouthern California

2012 Clubman of the year John Gardner

with runner-up Clive Brooks

Monthly Journal

The Piled Arms is a publication of The BSA

Owner’s Club of Southern California.

We are a member driven publication and rely

solely on your participation. Technical articles,

photos and “Member Experiences” and opinions

are essential

You can find us on the “web” at : www.bsaocsc.org

Burt Barrett (661) 832-6109…..…….….…………....President

Steve Ortiz (951) 245-5287………….Membership/Secretary

Barry Sulkin (310) 569-1383……………...…………..Treasurer

Barbara Barrett (661) 832-6109……………..Events/Director

Clive Brooks (714) 771-2534……Piled Arms Editor/Director

Craig Rich (562) 868-9389 ……….………………….….Director

Jody Nicholas (714) 730-9257...….……………….…...Director

Piled Arms Production Staff

Clive Brooks (714) 771-2534…clive54bsa@aol.com....Editor; Contributing Members and Named Sources

The Piled Arms, 820 South Esplanade St. Orange, Ca. 92869

Please submit your articles by E-Mail or direct mail.

Deadline for submissions is the 8th of each month.

Members may place Non Commercial “4-Sale” or “Want” Ads in the Piled Arms Free for 90 days, without renewal.

Contact Editor for “Commercial Ad” rates and information.

Webmaster ....Jill Mushaney…..webmaster@bsaocsc.org Club

Librarian….John Gardner….310-920-3393

BSAOCSC Regalia… Randy Ressell….714-448-1179

Front Cover Photo submitted by ; Steve Ortiz Rear cover BSAOCSC North/South Flyer

Meet Our Directors

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President’s Page ——--by Burt Barrett——-

Seems like every riding year has a different theme. A couple of

years ago, I was getting stung by those darn "Meat Bees". I got

stung at least once a month, they would get inside my collar, or

jacket cuff. Caused extreme discomfort, and loud cursing!

Last year Barb and I kept breaking the mounts for our Chatterbox Radios, very annoying, and had trouble with the

radios reception. Each year has its own problem.

This year its hitting animals. The first one was back in

March, when George and Sacchi Shlobo hit a deer with their

Guzzi on the Mid State Ride. They are both recovering nicely.

A few weeks ago, Barb and I were riding in the mountains

above Bako, Barb leading. I glanced up, and saw a deer running out in front of her

Triumph. We were at speed, and she had glanced down at a map or something. We

always wear our Chatterbox Radios, and I warned her of the problem. She braked a

little and avoided the deer nicely, but I don't know what would have happened had I

not seen it.

Last week, my feet were itching, and I rode my Bonnie up to Glennville. I proba-

bly ride by myself at least once a week, as I cant get anyone to go with me. I was

enjoying a beautiful morning, just putting along about 45mph, on the Woody/

Glennville road, about 4 miles from Glennville. I rounded a right hand sweeper, and a

very large Bobcat ran across the road right in front of me. He wasn't in danger of me

running over him, but very close indeed. I glanced as he crossed the road, and ran

into a ravine. I looked back to the roadway, just in time to see another Bobcat, right

in front of my front wheel. He was running, and had timed it perfectly, my front

wheel ran over his chest area. The Bonnie bounced a little, and the front end wobbled

a little, but she didn't spit me off. Good Ol’ Triumph! I checked my rear view mirror

as I began braking, and saw Mr. Bobcat writhing on the pavement. I wondered if I

had killed the beast, so I turned around to go check. To turn around I had to divert my

eyes from the Bobcat, to complete the turn, and when I looked up, he was gone. I

rode back to the point of impact, and the first Bobcat ran back across the road, proba-

bly looking for the one I ran over. I stopped for a moment, looked down into the ra-

vine, but could not see either Bobcat. For some reason, it didn't scare me, but I spent

some time marveling at my experience. The rest of my ride was very pleasant, and

quite uneventful.

Burt Barrett

CHECK YOUR MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL DATE (see front of envelope)

MAIL CHECK OR MONEY ORDER FOR $25.00 U.S. ($40.00 Overseas)

Make Checks Payable To: BSAOC/SC

Mail To:

BSAOC/SC, 11125 Westwood Blvd, Culver City, CA 90230

Editors Page:- Oilyleaks by Clive Brooks

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My Fellow Enthusiasts… well, those of you that weren't there,

missed a special treat at our AGM this year. It was hosted at the

home of Club Member #1846, Michael Harper-Smith. It’s very

difficult to describe his “collection”. He has several 100 Europe-

an bikes, ranging from Ducati, Ferrari, MV Agusta, Modial , Mo-

to Guzzi, from the ‘50s and 60’s, as well as a sizable collection of

British bikes. Also buildings full of European cars, trucks, vans,

buses and various other odd-ball vehicles, utterly fascinating.

The AGM itself offered no surprises, there were 3 directors

whose terms were up, disappointingly, but not unexpected, no-one

came forward to relieve them, so they were again, re-elected. Some new “blood” in the

running of the club would have been nice. Thanks again to Mr. Harper-Smith for allowing

all who attended, to wander ,unsupervised, through his vast collection.

We had the “Rim of the World” ride at the end of July, up to Big Bear which was

well attended, about 28 riders signed in, only 2 BSA’s, a beautiful day and only 1 break-

down, I believe, and it was a Triumph. Upcoming rides and events for the end of August

through September are listed on page 17.

I hope to see a few of you at the 4-day North/South rally in Morro Bay is the 2nd

weekend of Sept, don’t forget to book your rooms and reserve dinner. Please note the

change of meeting place for the Big Bear Dual Sport ride on Sept 16 from Denny’s to Big

Bear Airport. And not forgetting the 2nd BSAOCSC Swap-meet at Classic Cycles Inc.

located in Orange. Unfortunately, but unavoidable, the Swap-meet is 1 week after the “El

Camino” Swap-meet, which I’ve been informed is going to be at Irwindale Raceway this

year, 9/22/12, at 500 Speedway Dr. Irwindale Ca. 91706, www.ClassicCycleEvents.com.

Regarding “El Camino”, our “Club Booth” will be there, but we need a couple of

VOLUNTEERS to help man the booth, in order to give out membership info, and sell

some regalia, and B.S. with people to come to our booth, anyone who can help out,

please Contact Barry Sulkin at 310-569 –1383 or email me at clive54bsa@aol.com.

Once again I urge you all to send me your stories, articles, British Bike tech tips,

photos, and commentaries for us all to share, after all this is your newsletter. Thanks

again to those who have already contributed material to the Piled Arms, and I hope

you continue to do so. I desperately need fresh articles to keep this going.

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2012 AGM at the home of Michael Harper-Smith

Photos by Steve Ortiz and Barry Sukin

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More AGM Pictures

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More AGM

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Pictures From Rim of the World Ride

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2012 “Cool Ride” by Barry Sulkin

August 12 was another Cool Ride, even though some people

might argue that point. Some may remember the heat wave that

attacked Southern California for a week or two, and the cool

ride was affected as well.

If the temperature was relatively mild near the coast and

very warm to hot a few miles inland, then I think Sunday’s ride

should still keep its moniker that weekend as the Cool Ride be-

cause it was blistering hot every else!

Apart from other cool weekends of years gone by with mul-

tiple breakdowns, the high temps on this ride caused no breakdowns. The chase truck,

which I drove, had no business other than to haul a very hot muffler that fell off a Tri-

umph.

We rode by Neptune’s Net restaurant on the Coast Hwy where in the past we would

have the lunch stop but not any more because of lack of parking. They were doing a

land office business with cars and bikes jammed in their undersized parking lot. The

Rock Store was also crammed with customer’s, that’s why I changed the lunch stop to a

sleepy place around the corner as our lunch stop, called the Rustic Canyon Market,

which operates a deli also.

The ride through the back side of Agoura, Cornell, Calabassas, to the parking lot

where the ride started was a smooth casual ride. Everyone did a real quick job of load-

ing up and hightailing out of the Woodland Hills parking lot because it was an oven

there!

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“Leaning a bike” from “Classic Bike” Aug 2000

A NON-TECHNICAL FRIEND OF MINE has recently taken up motorcycling, an act

which spurred me to compile this guide covering the principle, technique and benefit

of counter steering. I modestly suggest that these thoughts merit a wider audience.

If you can ride a motorcycle at above walking speed for more than 100 meters

without crashing into anything you are already counter steering but probably don’t

realise it. You are doing it subconsciously and there are incalculable benefits in learn-

ing how to do it deliberately. These include more precise control particularly in re-

spect to your track in curves and lane changes; quicker response and more stable and

smoother maneuvering, including accident avoidance, and easier two-up riding.

For years I wondered why certain people could make their bikes respond so

much more quickly than I could, yet with complete stability. The answer is counter

steering.

At any speed much above walking it is impossible to physically turn the front

wheel of a motorcycle - the gyroscopic effect of the front wheel will not let you. All

turning is accomplished by leaning. Counter steering is all about how to initiate the

lean and maintain it precisely. To counter steer deliberately and effectively you must

understand the principle that lies behind it. All you need to know are the rules regard-

ing gyroscopes and how these influence riding a motorcycle. Considering that a mo-

torcycle front wheel is a gyroscope spinning in a vertical plane, the two fundamental

rules governing gyroscopes that allow you to steer a motorcycle at speed are as fol-

lows:

1. When a gyroscope spinning in a vertical plane is tilted, it will turn to the same side

to which it is tilted. This is the process by which most people steer, by leaning.

2. When a gyroscope spinning in a vertical plane is turned, it will tilt to the opposite

side to which it is turned. This is the rule that makes counter steering possible.

The great majority of people riding motorcycles only deliberately use the first

rule, as outlined above, and they initiate the lean by shifting their body position, or by throwing their weight, although this is also where the unconscious counter steering

takes place. Following the second rule allows much better control. Remember, the gyroscop-

ic effect will not let you actually turn the wheel, but any attempt to turn it will result in the reaction so described. If by using the handlebars you attempt to turn the wheel to

the right, the wheel and hence the bike will tilt in the opposite direction, to the left.

As soon as it tilts, rule number one comes into play and the bike will turn to the

side it is leaning. In other words, try to turn the handle bars to the right: the bike will

lean left and turn left. The bar won’t actually turn - the gyroscopic effect won’t let it -

but the attempt to turn it will accomplish this effect. The harder you try, the more pro-

nounced the effect will be.

So, to turn left on a moving motorcycle, you push the left handlebar gently but

positively forward. It will not perceptibly move but the bike will instantly lean left and

turn to the left. A hard push forward on the left bar and the bike will literally dive into

a leaning left turn.

Continued on page 14

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You keep the pressure on through the turn, modulating the amount of pressure

regulates the lean and hence the radius of the turn. Relieve pressure and the bike

straightens up immediately, and tracks straight. Slight pressure forward on the right

bar then turns you to the right, as in a lane change or accident avoidance maneuver.

Do not move your body through this maneuver, just sit on the motorcycle.

The handlebar pressure creates the lean and your body will just lean in perfect line

with the bike. So will your passenger’s body. Enjoy the ride.

Farrell Hope, Wisconsin. USA

Leaning a Bike...Continued

The swing arm on an old A10 does not come apart easily. It is held together by the

swinging arm fork spindle (42-4362) running through the center of the swing arm. This

spindle is held in place by a securing bolt on one end and a nut on the opposite end. I

used the following technique successfully for removal of this swing arm:

remove the bolt on one end of the swing arm and loosen the nut on the other end

run a piece of continuously 7/16" threaded rod through the holes in the plate on

each side of the frame above the spindle, place nuts and washers on the inside of

the plates

torque the nuts outwards to apply a slight pressure on the two plates at each side

Drive the nut with a hammer until the spindle breaks free

An attempt to drive the spindle out should be made before doing any jacking of the

frame to minimize potential impacts to the frame (I have only had to resort to drastic

measures like above in one instance). Additionally pry bars and a blow-torch may pos-

sibly be used for this procedure before attempting to use a jack to force the frame apart

(I have never tried the pry bar/torch technique).

Once the swing arm is separated, the inner housings (or silent blocs #42-4662) around

the spindle can be removed and replaced if necessary. In my case, I had to remove the

silent blocs to prepare my frame for the thermal portion of the powder coating process

(to prevent the rubber part of the silent block from catching fire when the powder coat-

ing was baked to the frame). There are two silent blocs within the center of the spring

arm. These silent blocs are tubular and consist of a rubber spacer sandwiched between a

metal inner and outer shell. The rubber spacer and outer shell are half as long as the

inner shell (which runs all the way to the center). While the silent blocs could potential-

ly be pressed out (I did not have sufficient equipment to try this approach), I had to use

a more destructive removal technique. I was able to successfully remove my silent

blocks by torching out the inner rubber. The outer metal shell did not come out as easily

after torching the rubber.

Separating the Swingarm (and removing the silent bloc)

BSAOC / SC members, we are updating our e-mail list in order to

contact you for any last minute changes in our calendar events, so

please contact Steve Ortiz at ; ortizst1@hotmail.com.

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Members please be aware that sometime in the next few months

we will be publishing our current Membership Roster, containing

your name, address, phone # and email address. If there is any info

that you DON’T want published please , call or email me . Editor

Members only….For Sale/Wanted

For Sale: 1972, BSA B50 TR, 500c.c. ……………$2500

1952, BSA ZB, 500c.c…………………..$3000

1966, BSA Thunderbolt, 650 c.c…..l……$3000

1965, Ducati Condor, 350c.c. ………….$3000

1973, H.D. Sprint Aermacchi, 350c.c…...$3000

Call “Old Ed” Meagor, 415-457-5423, 20 Meadow Ave, San Rafael, Ca. 94901

If difficulty is encountered with removal of the outer metal shell, a Dremel tool with a

24 inch flexible shaft and a cutter bit can be used to cut one slot along the length of

each bushing.

Once the bushing is cut, a long steel rod can be used to knock each bushing out

(driving from the opposite side). Note: I forgot to take this outer shell off my swing arm prior to powder coating (which complicated outer bushing removal and caused

scratches to my new powder coating when I tried to get it off).

To put the new silent blocs in, a press can be used or, if you are like me and can't af-

ford a press, than a long piece of continuously thread rod can be run through the center

of the bloc and swing arm with washers and nuts at each end to draw the silent bloc

into the swing arm. In my case, I found that a 3/4 inch threaded ROD (with nuts) used

in combination with two 3/4 inch washers and two 1 inch washers was needed to do

the job properly. The inner metal shell of the silent bloc is designed to protrude slightly

and is not level with the outer metal shell. To prevent the inner shell from taking any

torque, on each side place a one inch washer around the inner shell (it fits perfectly),

then the 3/4 inch washer, followed by the nut. This method forces all the torque on the

outer shell.

I don’t know the origin of this article, just one I had…..Editor

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Members only….For Sale/Wanted ..Contd

Rickman 500cc Twin Triumph $10,000 or best offer (cash only, no

trades, make offer, all offers will be considered)

Built from new kit in 2000

Ceriani forks with Race Tech emulators,

spare Betor forks.

Progressive Suspension adjustable damp

ening shocks.

Spare race tank and newly manufacture

Lynn Wineland stock tank.

Alloy rims with Rickman hubs and Bu

chanan stainless spokes and nipples.

Modern levers and controls.

1972 Unit Triumph 500cc motor, completely rebuilt in 2000

New Surflex clutch, Open exhaust pipes (one high, one low).

Two-into-one exhaust system with titanium spark arrestor muffler for District 37 GP's.

Bash plate for GP's, JRC carb, Trick dual foam filter setup

Boyer Power Box, batteryless, Boyer electronic analog ignition w/correct coils

Stainless steel chassis hardware

Converted externally to left hand shift, but possible to put back to right hand shift

Currently set up for Vintage GP's but can be put back to MX setup w/low fender/open

pipes

Low race miles (occasional super senior rider...me and a couple of GP's by my Expert

son) Excellent condition..looks fresh and runs strong

Too old to ride anymore and son has no interest anymore in Vintage racing

Lynn Bennett

760-949-0139

ldbennett1@verizon.net

Calendar of Events

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August 26 (Sun) * BSAOCSC MALIBU MTN “MOVIE MAGIC” RIDE Start at Freedom Park parking lot, just off Pleasant Valley Rd, on the very west end of the Cama-rillo Airport property. Be ready to ride at 10 AM with a full tank of gas. Ride is approxi-mately 35 to 40 miles to Paramount Movie Ranch , where the National Park Service, will put on a “Movie Magic” Presentation on how movies have been and still are being made

there. From there the return route is your choice. “Freedom Park” is south from Hwy 101

on Las Posas Road in Camarillo. Right on Pleasant Valley Road, then straight thru 2 signal intersections, then past the airport to the west end of the property, then right turn. Info: Jim Holbrook (805) 485-1688 or Barbara Barrett (661) 703-9249

Sept 6-7-8-9 (Thurs-Sun) ** CALIFORNIA BSA CLUBS “NORTH / SOUTH”

RALLY. For Information: Burt Barrett (South) @ (661) 742-5539 or Barbara Barrett

@ (661) 703-9249 or Jim Tomich (North) @ (408) 377-9457 **BSAOCSC hosting -

location is Morro Bay. HQ is “SEA AIRE INN” see Back Cover flyer for info.

September 7-9 (Fri-Sun) SCNOC – High Sierras/ Yosemite Weekend, meet in Maripo-sa Hwy 49/140 Friday eve, ride leaves Sat 8.30am from Miners Inn, return to mariposa Sunday. Info- www.socalnorton.com, or call Bib at 626-791-0259

September 8-16 (Sat thru Sun) SCNOC – Route 66 Ride, St. Louis to Santa Monica. Ride leaves St. Louis Sat 8am following old route 66 where possible ending in Santa Monica. Info- www.socalnorton.com, or call Bib at 626-791-0259

Sept. 16 (Sun) * BSAOCSC BIG BEAR DUAL SPORT RIDE Meet at 9 AM at Big Bear Airport Parking Lot, 501 West Valley Blvd, Big Bear City, Ca. Info. : John Gardner (310) 920-3393 or Mike Haney (760 ) 365-9191

Sept 16 (Sun) - Griffith Park Sidecar Rally, Lot 2 , Merry-go round , 9am-3pm. Info- Doug Bingham 818-780-5542, or www.sidestrider.com

Sept 23 (Sun) Long Beach Motorcycle Swap-meet, Veterans Stadium, Info www.toppingevents.com

Sept 30 (Sun) * BSAOCSC & CLASSIC CYCLES INC. “ALL BRITISH SWAP

MEET” & BIMONTHLY MEETING *** “Classic Cycles Inc.” 1425 N. Manzanita

St. Orange, Ca. 92867 (714) 974-1438 BRITISH MOTORCYCLES ONLY! Begins @

7 AM to 11 AM. Seller Fee: $20.00 Pre-Registration Required-Steve Ortiz, (951) 245-

5287. C.C.I. Info: Tony and Andy Dunn (714) 974-1438. BSA Meeting Info: Barbara

Barrett (661) 703-9249, or Barry Sulkin (310) 569-1383

Oct 7 (Sun) * BSAOCSC MT BALDY STREET RIDE Meet at Buchanan’s Spoke and

Rim, 805 W. 8th Street, Azusa, Ca, at 9 AM, ride at 10 AM. Info: Barry Sulkin (310)

569-1383 or Barbara Barrett (661) 703-9249

Oct 13-14 (Sat, Sun) ** CALIFORNIA BSA CLUBS NC/SC SOUTHERN SIERRA

ROAD RIDE Meet at Paradise Cove Steak House, Hwy 178, just north of Lake Isabella,

at 8 AM, Ride at 9 AM. Info: Frank Forster (831) 688-2120, Burt Barrett (661) 742-5539

October 11-14 ( Thurs – Sun) SCNOC CLASSIC RALLY AND SHOW– San Luis

Obispo/Central Coast Weekend. Info; centralcoastclassicmc.com

BSA Owners Club of Southern California

Email & Phone Directory

Specialists

Gold Star/Winged Wheel: Dick Newby

No Email (714) 839-7072

**********

Pre Unit Twin: Clive Brooks

Clive54bsa@aol.com (714) 771-2534

**********

Grey Porridge: (-: Position Open :-)

**********

Unit Singles/B50: Jack Faria

(805) 551-4982

**********

Rocket III/Trident: Burt Barrett

Triples@bsaocsc.org (661) 832-6109

**********

Triumph/Sidehack: Russ Smith

Triumph@bsaocsc.org (818) 343-8045

**********

BSA Unit Twins: Bill Getty

JRCEngineering@aol.com

**********

Specialty Tool Consultant: Craig Rich

Questions: (562) 868-9389

**********

Please make calls between 9am and 9pm

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BSA Owners Club Regalia

Official BSA owners club “T” Shirt. Comes in Blue, Red, Grey and Black. Large, XL and XXL. Price is $20 for short sleeve and long sleeve $25. BSA Club sweat shirts are available in limited colors and sizes. Price includes shipping and han-dling. Take delivery at a Club gathering and save $5. Sizes and colors are limited, so place your order quickly!

Contact—Randy Ressell: Regalia Coordinator

Hm. (714) 448-1179, E-mail: b2v8384@yahoo.com

Baseball Caps $14 + $5 S & H

Sweatshirts $25 —$28 + $5 S & H

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