BSA b44/50

[baz]

Just incase anyone is interested in my BSA meanderings I am building a b44 cafe racer with a b50 engine
I had to make my own downpipe as I couldn't find anywhere that made the swept back Goldie style I was after
I'm using a simple reversed gear lever arrangement for the moment
I widened the frame at the back for the wide case
I bought an Indian replica gold star tank for £230 to my door with badges,cap,taps and breather I was blown away buy the quality for the money!!! I will pressure test it before I use it,I'm also planning to two pack laquer the paintwork on the tank
I'm basically building a bike I won't be able to start as I am still waiting for my right knee to be replaced
And if I manage to start it I don't know how far I'll be riding because clip ons and a neck injury don't seem to go together
But I refuse to compromise on this bike ,the idea behind it has been in my mind for many years
My first British bike was a BSA b25 ss gold star
Back when BSA were in real trouble and using up glorious names from the past to sell a bike!!!
I want this one to be more like a follow on from a gold star!!
Maybe if they were still making them in 1967 and had gone to unit construction
Cheers

 

[holtcorseaux]

Just incase anyone is interested in my BSA meanderings I am building a b44 cafe racer with a b50 engine
I had to make my own downpipe as I couldn't find anywhere that made the swept back Goldie style I was after
I'm using a simple reversed gear lever arrangement for the moment
I widened the frame at the back for the wide case
I bought an Indian replica gold star tank for £230 to my door with badges,cap,taps and breather I was blown away buy the quality for the money!!! I will pressure test it before I use it,I'm also planning to two pack laquer the paintwork on the tank
I'm basically building a bike I won't be able to start as I am still waiting for my right knee to be replaced
And if I manage to start it I don't know how far I'll be riding because clip ons and a neck injury don't seem to go together
But I refuse to compromise on this bike ,the idea behind it has been in my mind for many years
My first British bike was a BSA b25 ss gold star
Back when BSA were in real trouble and using up glorious names from the past to sell a bike!!!
I want this one to be more like a follow on from a gold star!!
Maybe if they were still making them in 1967 and had gone to unit construction
Cheers

Hi Baz I love the Goldie tank, it is really a beauty, cannot believe the price!
Martin

 

[baz]

Hi Baz I love the Goldie tank, it is really a beauty, cannot believe the price!
Martin

To be honest my expectations were low about that tank and to be brutal the taps, badges etc are not the best but very easy to change out
It's the tank itself I'm pleased with

 

[trident sam]

To be honest my expectations were low about that tank and to be brutal the taps, badges etc are not the best but very easy to change out
It's the tank itself I'm pleased with

The bike looks great so far, best of luck with the rest of the build.

 

[baz]

I made myself a brake pedal in a BSA style

 

[crusadersports]

'I widened the frame at the back for the wide case...'

What else did you have to do to get the B50 in the B44 frame? Details please!

 

[baz]

The only difference in the crankcase of an oil in frame type engine is it's wider and approximately half a hole different centers from the the pre oil in frame
I cut the original mounts completely out of the frame and remade them although it could be done just by cutting the right hand mount and moving it outwards and filing the holes out half a hole
The front engine mount and the bottom mount remain the same

 

[grandpaul]

I love the big Brit thumpers, they are mean and sound great!

 

[crusadersports]

Thanks Baz. So you've cut back the original mounts and bolted new plates to the outside of the original mounts? Very neat. I knew B50 into pre oil in frame was possible, but til now I'd not seen it done. Great that the front and bottom mounts still line up.

Love the tank and clocks and the whole idea of a unit single Goldstar- or to be more precise, prefer your version over BSAs own attempt! I have a B44 with an alloy tank and T100C Triumph engine installed!

 

[baz]

Thanks Baz. So you've cut back the original mounts and bolted new plates to outside of the original mounts? Very neat. I knew B50 into pre oil in frame could be done, but til now I'd not seen it done. Great that the front and bottom mounts still line up.

Love the tank and clocks and the whole idea of a unit single Goldstar- or to be more precise, prefer your version over BSAs own! I have B44 with an alloy tank and T100C Triumph engine installed!

I'm planning a build like yours for my next project
I have a T25 triumph frame with a v5 ,a b44 alloy tank and guards and single seat
I'm looking for a unit triumph engine for it
Either 500 or 350

 

[baz]

Thanks Baz. So you've cut back the original mounts and bolted new plates to outside of the original mounts? Very neat. I knew B50 into pre oil in frame could be done, but til now I'd not seen it done. Great that the front and bottom mounts still line up.

Love the tank and clocks and the whole idea of a unit single Goldstar- or to be more precise, prefer your version over BSAs own! I have B44 with an alloy tank and T100C Triumph engine installed!

I completely cut the plates out and made new ones
But you can do it just by moving the right plate outwards and elongating the hole in the original left hand plate
Or you could narrow the back of the engine to fit the frame if you are good with a Tig welder

 

[baz]

The original b44 left hand side panel was completely rusted through and new ones at the time were not available
And didn't often come up on eBay or at any autojumbles that I attended , this was some time ago
So I made a puck to fit inside the rusty one and hammered out a new one
Took a lot of effort from me to get the double curveture because I'm no sheet metal worker!! 1/4" plate is sheet metal to me!!!
But I got it made and it fits
Then what do you know you can now buy them new from Burton bike bits £90 powder coated!!!
Plus I've seen them come up on eBay!
Oh well

 

[baz]

Now making some new stainless steel mudguard stays
Just squash the ends in the vice and drill the holes
Ends up less than half the price of buying Indian chrome ones and these won't rot

 

[baz]

Just made a new stainless steel brake rod and knurled adjuster
What's the secret of knurling stainless? Mine always looks like crap Is it slow speed lots of pressure ?
The reduction gear is broken on my lathe and I'm guessing it's running too fast?
Cheers

 

[baz]

Brake pedal now painted
It's a bit rough and ready I wanted it to look like BSA might have made it!!!!!

 

[Fast Eddie]

That’s a great build Baz. It’ll be a real fun bike too when its done. Please keep us posted !

 

[baz]

That’s a great build Baz. It’ll be a real fun bike too when its done. Please keep us posted !

I just hope I can start it!
I'm building it in a gold star style so it should really upset the rivet counter matching number orange inner tube brigade

 

[baz]

Oh great
Some sort of reaction between the laquer and the paint!!!!
Was going well up until this
I wouldn't mind but this has come out better than some wrinkle finish paint that I've used!!!!

 

[cjandme]

Oh great
Some sort of reaction between the laquer and the paint!!!!
Was going well up until this
I wouldn't mind but this has come out better than some wrinkle finish paint that I've used!!!!

It might have been enamel under there originally, did you spray polyurethane from a rattle can? Oops , you said Lacquer, so what kind of primer or prep did you use?

 

[Mike40M]

Interesting that the transfer is unaffected. Sometimes transfers wrinkle when clear coat is applied. Would be interesting to know which kind of paint you used.