1961 BSA Super Rocket Rebuild

texasSlick said:

Looking good!

The size of that mallet next to your tapered races is a cause for concern.

Re gearbox: I suppose you will come away with a spare shell after all this effort and expense.

Slick

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Hi Robert, Yeah it took a bit of effort getting the tapered bearing in the steering head, needed mallet. I froze it good, eventually got it in. The gearbox shell is ok. I am going to clean it up and put all new bushes including the layshaft blind end bush. I have read they need line reaming after bush replacement, but that's outside my capability, so I am hoping it will spin ok in the new bushes, so I got to test that and see whats needed.

The front end turned out very well. Brent is going to paint the chrome tank candy red (like Rocket 3 red) and it will have the super rocket decal. Everything else black or chrome like standard. I am now looking at the hubs. They need skimming. I have to find somewhere in the Denver area to get that done. I can get the wheels rebuilt here in Denver at Woody's. https://woodyswheelworks.com/ These folks know BSA wheels.

I get the chrome parts back next month, so I can assemble those parts. The front fender was already chromed when I bought the bike. The rear fender is getting re-chromed, expensive these days. There is only one place in Denver. I could not be bothered to ship it out of state, so drove it over there. Based upon what I saw their work looks good.

Steve at jobcycle has the motor and he is going to sort it out. I went a bit overboard on the motor crating. He told me it took him an hour to get it open and my back still hurts from that experience of crating the motor.

So all good. Moving forward with the obsession, cheers

Jerry Doe said:

Hi Paul,

Hope you are starting to feel better and that you have power.

Yes, even though the wheels need rebuilding, its good to see it like that. Its a very nice shaped frame. I am excited to get the transmission rebuilt. I have everything I need except a mainshaft. My old one might actually be ok. I need to check how the new gears are on it.

Get well mate!!

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We're doing "better". Supposedly no more rolling blackouts (after 5 days). We had snow, a break, then ice (power lines down), then snow, then no water, now have a trickle of water back just this evening. I took a NAVY shower. Thankfully, our gas stayed at decent pressure the whole time (fireplace and stove were well employed). Leg WAS feeling better 'till 2-1/2 hours in the queue at WalMart for about 1/4 cart of groceries (LOTS of empty shelves). Anyway, it was 25F, standing in snow and slush, the ankle is shot after that.

As to BSA restorations, alas, as close as I ever got was sorting stripping, and sending off the black bits for powdercoat, and rounding up some various bits. Yes, it's a really nice looking frame!


Sold it to a nice fellow (BritBike.Com member) Alan in England who did a FINE job restoring it!

Awesome thread, Jerry! She is going to be a beauty.

Genuine refurbished chronometric instruments for the same year as my BSA Rocket. These are really hard to find and if you do find them they cost an arm and a leg. These are now in my possession, really excited about it

Jerry Doe said:

Genuine refurbished chronometric instruments for the same year as my BSA Rocket. These are really hard to find and if you do find them they cost an arm and a leg. These are now in my possession, really excited about it

BSA A10 SR Instruments

• Jerry Doe
• Mar 11, 2021

Genuine BSA Super Rocket1961 chronograph instruments, restored.

BSA A10 SR Instruments

• Jerry Doe
• Mar 11, 2021

Genuine BSA Super Rocket1961 chronograph instruments, restored.

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Beautys!!!!

I believe the soul of a Brit bike resides in the chronometric clocks.

Woo .... wee! Those are beauties!

Slick

I thought it was time for an update on the Super Rocket:

I have been in gearbox hell, but now seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. I have bought 4 inner covers on eBay as the original one is cracked. All 4 have problems. There is one that might be ok. I have all the gears, bearings and new layshaft, everything was beyond repair except the covers. I have been held up because some parts you cannot get anymore. The end of the layshaft has a worm gear that is held in by a pin, so-one sells that worm gear. Another gearbox is on the way form eBay. I can see in the pics its in good condition and does have that worm gear in good shape (original was too far gone with rust). This G/box on the way now, looks like it has good selector forks and pin and I need those too. At the end of this I will have some good parts to sell. I hope to have the gearbox back together and in the bike within a month.

I called Steve at Jobs Cycle to see about the motor and there is a delay because his mechanic got ill. Probably a good thing as I am running out of $ for now lol.

I have been focusing on the front end. Its pretty much done. I am waiting for paint work from Brent for the headlight and some other black (Brent no rush if you read this). I have the clocks as you know. Eddie Dowe dampers are fitted and most everything else new.

Today I picked up the wheels from Woodys Wheels in Denver and they did a great job. I got the rims, stainless spokes, tires (Avon SM 19") from Brandon at Steadfast (thanks Brandon). I fitted new bearings to the wheels today and temporarily fitted the wheels. Its going to work out well. Next job is sorting out the brakes and brake plates and G/box. I have stainless axle parts on the way.

Here is a pic from today- Onwards

Jerry, is it my eyes? Looks like a front ribbed the on the rear ??

Fast Eddie said:

Jerry, is it my eyes? Looks like a front ribbed the on the rear ??

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Its not your eyes. That is what Brandon sent me, so I put it on anyway. I was expecting a different SM for the back. I might change it. Do you think it will be ok?

I think it should have one of these on the back and will need to change it.

AVON 1727610 AVON SM 350S 19 RR

I should have checked the box before I took em to woodys wheels

The last thing a wanna do is fuel another tyre debate Jerry!

But, if you look at the Avon link below, Speed Masters are only for front fitment.

You need a Safety Mileage on the rear. They offer SM A, B, or C. I really know nothing about them, but the C looks to have the more rounded profile out of the 3 choices to me.

If the link is taking you to a generic page click on the ‘classic’ tyre option to go to the Speed Master and Safety Mileage options...

Fast Eddie said:

The last thing a wanna do is fuel another tyre debate Jerry!

But, if you look at the Avon link below, Speed Masters are only for front fitment.

You need a Safety Mileage on the rear. They offer SM A, B, or C. I really know nothing about them, but the C looks to have the more rounded profile out of the 3 choices to me.

If the link is taking you to a generic page click on the ‘classic’ tyre option to go to the Speed Master and Safety Mileage options...

Tyres

www.avontyres.com

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Yes, an SM is what I thought was in the box. I have a spare front tyre now. Its good for now so I can move it around in the garage. I need to get the 750 up on the list for routine work...

Jerry Doe said:

Yes, an SM is what I thought was in the box. I have a spare front tyre now. Its good for now so I can move it around in the garage. I need to get the 750 up on the list for routine work...

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Jerry
I have, on my 500, a Speedmaster on the front and and Avon GP on the rear - works great and looks period correct.
I'm not completely sure but I think the first Commandos came out with GPs front and rear.

That GP looks like its what I need on the rear. Do you have the same SM on the front like I do? (see rear tire in pic)

Jerry Doe said:

That GP looks like its what I need on the rear. Do you have the same SM on the front like I do? (see rear tire in pic)

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Yep - same one - I'll post a couple of pics

Isn’t the GP currently sold by Avon a race compound ?

robs ss said:

Yep - same one - I'll post a couple of pics

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Thanks mate. I want to see some pics of your bike in general as well as the tyres, cheers
So I have been in the US for too long, I forgot how to spell tyre lol. My spell checker says tyre is wrong Tire is right.