1962 BSA DBD34 Gold Star restoration (1000 miles and more)
- Thread starter swan
- Start date
adriannarnold
Coast to Coast
Re: 1962 BSA DBD34 Gold Star restoration (making progress)
I second evaporust. I used it a few times and it always did a great job.
I second evaporust. I used it a few times and it always did a great job.
50gary
Under the Limelight
Re: 1962 BSA DBD34 Gold Star restoration (making progress)
I used to work in the 'back room' of a family Jewelry store, a good clock shop would feel pretty close to home on that speedo it has the look of a clock movement. Ultrasonic cleaning may help? Pity about the broken screw, again I'd check for a replacement at a good clock shop?
Cheers, 50gary
I used to work in the 'back room' of a family Jewelry store, a good clock shop would feel pretty close to home on that speedo it has the look of a clock movement. Ultrasonic cleaning may help? Pity about the broken screw, again I'd check for a replacement at a good clock shop?
Cheers, 50gary
Basement rat
Over 1,000 Posts
Re: 1962 BSA DBD34 Gold Star restoration (making progress)
Try an optician for the screw.
I had a screw on my bobbin case on a 52 Singer industrial where the head was worn off from the thread tensioner. No jewelery shop in town had one close but the Wall Mart optician did!
Don't know what your resources are like but torque wrenches have little screws in the heads too, do you know of a Cal shop around?
Try an optician for the screw.
I had a screw on my bobbin case on a 52 Singer industrial where the head was worn off from the thread tensioner. No jewelery shop in town had one close but the Wall Mart optician did!
Don't know what your resources are like but torque wrenches have little screws in the heads too, do you know of a Cal shop around?
Re: 1962 BSA DBD34 Gold Star restoration (making progress)
Thanks all, but the small screw is BA standard (British Association) based on the metric system, but slightly different. I need to find a way to remove the tiny broken screw before I can replace with another. I hear good things about Evaporust and my give it a try.
Checking out for a week because girlfriend is in town and and I have some long overdue time off. Have a good Thanksgiving for those who celebrate it.
Thanks all, but the small screw is BA standard (British Association) based on the metric system, but slightly different. I need to find a way to remove the tiny broken screw before I can replace with another. I hear good things about Evaporust and my give it a try.
Checking out for a week because girlfriend is in town and and I have some long overdue time off. Have a good Thanksgiving for those who celebrate it.
Basement rat
Over 1,000 Posts
Re: 1962 BSA DBD34 Gold Star restoration (making progress)
... Are the Gold Star speedoes the same as others? I know a guy with some less famous BSA's.
... Are the Gold Star speedoes the same as others? I know a guy with some less famous BSA's.
Re: 1962 BSA DBD34 Gold Star restoration (making progress)
Swan,
I just spoke to a guy here in the UK that manufactures "new" instruments from all new Smiths period components. A new speedo is £280 and he says there's nothing he can't rebuild.
If he can build one, I guess he also has all the parts !! Might be worth a contact if you need parts.
"Speedo Repairs" - website - www.speedorepairs.co.uk.
Swan,
I just spoke to a guy here in the UK that manufactures "new" instruments from all new Smiths period components. A new speedo is £280 and he says there's nothing he can't rebuild.
If he can build one, I guess he also has all the parts !! Might be worth a contact if you need parts.
"Speedo Repairs" - website - www.speedorepairs.co.uk.
Re: 1962 BSA DBD34 Gold Star restoration (making progress)
gauges are chronometrics not magnetics and there are a few different speedo's but i think only one tach for the bsa 500's.
looking at the photo's i think you may have problems making it work correctly again since when dirty inside they do not work correctly, very sensitive. once you remove the fair amount of corrosion you may have pitting which again may cause it not to function properly.
try this for corrosion removale you will be blown away on how good it works..it's a toilet bowl cleaner called "the works".. put some in a plastic bowl and then your degreased parts, take out in about 15 minutes or once cleaned, then dip in water/baking soda mixed bowl to neutralize...i then spray them with something like lps 3 ...
there is a place in bloomington mn - apt, 952-881-7095 they do good work.
joe@ vcycle
gauges are chronometrics not magnetics and there are a few different speedo's but i think only one tach for the bsa 500's.
looking at the photo's i think you may have problems making it work correctly again since when dirty inside they do not work correctly, very sensitive. once you remove the fair amount of corrosion you may have pitting which again may cause it not to function properly.
try this for corrosion removale you will be blown away on how good it works..it's a toilet bowl cleaner called "the works".. put some in a plastic bowl and then your degreased parts, take out in about 15 minutes or once cleaned, then dip in water/baking soda mixed bowl to neutralize...i then spray them with something like lps 3 ...
there is a place in bloomington mn - apt, 952-881-7095 they do good work.
joe@ vcycle
Re: 1962 BSA DBD34 Gold Star restoration (making progress)
I guess we'll just have to wait and see what's encrusted and/or hardened dirt, and what's corrosion. I do agree that chronometrics are fragile, and don't care for dirt particles in and around the mechanism, but my past experience (I stress experience, and not skill), says that these things are very recoverable. Time will tell.
I guess we'll just have to wait and see what's encrusted and/or hardened dirt, and what's corrosion. I do agree that chronometrics are fragile, and don't care for dirt particles in and around the mechanism, but my past experience (I stress experience, and not skill), says that these things are very recoverable. Time will tell.
Re: 1962 BSA DBD34 Gold Star restoration (making progress)
I've put the speedo on hold and have FINALLY finished prepping my hardware for cadmium platting. All hardware is photographed, listed, boxed up and ready to go. Here is all the hardware to a BSA Gold Star plus hardware from an extra BSA gearbox, Norton gearbox, extra 8" BSA front wheel, BSA rear quick detach rear wheel and bits from a 1959 T110 motor for the Triton.
Wow, it was a lot of work to blast and wire wheel everyone to squeaky clean. Next time I will pay some one to do it or I will rent time professional blasting cabinet. My little compressor and crappy blasting cabinet took many, many hours. It will be worth it in the end.
Everything was noted and photographed in small groups (gearbox, motor studs etc) like this so I can put this giant jigsaw puzzle back together when everything is plated. Commercial platers dump EVERYTHING into one large barrel to plate and send it back all mixed together, so good notes and photographs are a necessity.
Should be a quick turn around from the plater so stay tuned for the results, I cannot wait to start going clockwise, have a rolling chassis and build the motor and gearboxes!!!
I've put the speedo on hold and have FINALLY finished prepping my hardware for cadmium platting. All hardware is photographed, listed, boxed up and ready to go. Here is all the hardware to a BSA Gold Star plus hardware from an extra BSA gearbox, Norton gearbox, extra 8" BSA front wheel, BSA rear quick detach rear wheel and bits from a 1959 T110 motor for the Triton.
Wow, it was a lot of work to blast and wire wheel everyone to squeaky clean. Next time I will pay some one to do it or I will rent time professional blasting cabinet. My little compressor and crappy blasting cabinet took many, many hours. It will be worth it in the end.
Everything was noted and photographed in small groups (gearbox, motor studs etc) like this so I can put this giant jigsaw puzzle back together when everything is plated. Commercial platers dump EVERYTHING into one large barrel to plate and send it back all mixed together, so good notes and photographs are a necessity.
Should be a quick turn around from the plater so stay tuned for the results, I cannot wait to start going clockwise, have a rolling chassis and build the motor and gearboxes!!!
Re: 1962 BSA DBD34 Gold Star restoration (hardware going to the plater!)
hi swan....i don't think most platers tumble it all even though they have several size baskets (screened baskets attached to a motor that turns them in the tank).
long, large,heavy parts are hung individually across a large basket (in case they fall off) so they get good plating coverage....the several shops i have used do both, small nuts, bolts, washers,screws, etc in the baskets, long,large, heavy parts hung individually...
try a wire wheel on larger parts it does a good job and the finer the blast media(use glass for cad,zinc,nickel prep), and the better the cleaning finish the better the plating finish ,(like chrome,nickle etc.)..
joe @ vcycle
hi swan....i don't think most platers tumble it all even though they have several size baskets (screened baskets attached to a motor that turns them in the tank).
long, large,heavy parts are hung individually across a large basket (in case they fall off) so they get good plating coverage....the several shops i have used do both, small nuts, bolts, washers,screws, etc in the baskets, long,large, heavy parts hung individually...
try a wire wheel on larger parts it does a good job and the finer the blast media(use glass for cad,zinc,nickel prep), and the better the cleaning finish the better the plating finish ,(like chrome,nickle etc.)..
joe @ vcycle
Re: 1962 BSA DBD34 Gold Star restoration (hardware going to the plater!)
the problem with gauges is if a part is bad it is hard to source a part! and lets face it very few people have the capability to remake those small gears and i think if you have rust on just one tooth you may be screwed ....another option is to buy a used core and try to repair it as most guys will not tear into them they will just replace them. i have had good luck with both chrono's and magnetics doing some minor repairs so it may be an option, keep your eyes open on ebay. good thing is you have nothing to loose so you may as well give it a go if you have time.
and lets face it springs aways off..looks like s/e min may get 6-8 inches tonight....
have a good one,joe
the problem with gauges is if a part is bad it is hard to source a part! and lets face it very few people have the capability to remake those small gears and i think if you have rust on just one tooth you may be screwed ....another option is to buy a used core and try to repair it as most guys will not tear into them they will just replace them. i have had good luck with both chrono's and magnetics doing some minor repairs so it may be an option, keep your eyes open on ebay. good thing is you have nothing to loose so you may as well give it a go if you have time.
and lets face it springs aways off..looks like s/e min may get 6-8 inches tonight....
have a good one,joe
two wheels of hell
Active Member
Re: 1962 BSA DBD34 Gold Star restoration (hardware going to the plater!)
The work done on the hardware is outstanding and I truly understand how time consuming it really is. I really hate cleaning threads and have purchased new bolts in the past. Projects are made amazing by dedication on the little things. I guess this is why I am not a restorer. Seems like everyone is concerned about the clocks. What's too worry? Just look at that hardware!!! That's the hard stuff because it is a motivation killer. Nothing in the world that more money cannot fix and when it comes to Smiths Gauges they will shake you upside down till all the money comes out. Plenty of folks work on these chronometric gauges for this reason and I agree they have parts. I am getting ready to try and rebuilt a set of grey face Smith and recently purchased a very good book by Graham Blighe. Excellent book if anyone wants to tackle the later Smiths Magnetic gauges.
The work done on the hardware is outstanding and I truly understand how time consuming it really is. I really hate cleaning threads and have purchased new bolts in the past. Projects are made amazing by dedication on the little things. I guess this is why I am not a restorer. Seems like everyone is concerned about the clocks. What's too worry? Just look at that hardware!!! That's the hard stuff because it is a motivation killer. Nothing in the world that more money cannot fix and when it comes to Smiths Gauges they will shake you upside down till all the money comes out. Plenty of folks work on these chronometric gauges for this reason and I agree they have parts. I am getting ready to try and rebuilt a set of grey face Smith and recently purchased a very good book by Graham Blighe. Excellent book if anyone wants to tackle the later Smiths Magnetic gauges.
Re: 1962 BSA DBD34 Gold Star restoration (hardware going to the plater!)
Amazing dedication on the hardware front. That must have been a serious test of character to get through that much prep work. The first few bits can be a real blast (sic) to do, but the rest must have been an absolute chore.
Back (briefly) to the chronos. Someone mentioned much earlier in the thread that they were built like Swiss watches. That is true, but only up to a point (obviously). it's probably not directly comparable, but I think the following principle holds true.....my mate has an early Rolex Submariner, and he put it into Rolex for a service. A couple of internal parts were swapped out for new, but due to minor corrosion, they also changed the face of the watch. By all accounts, it wiped a fair chunk of it's commercial value as well as changing my friend's personal connection with the watch. In the case of this Goldie, if anything is kept, I'd side with two wheels of hell, and try to ensure that the original instrument cases and faces stay with the bike. Ultimately, changing the internals of the instruments is no different from changing the crank for the beautiful Pearson item. Even re-finished, it would good to keep the original visible stuff with the bike and if anything has to be sacrificed, it should be the internal bits. Opinions?
Amazing dedication on the hardware front. That must have been a serious test of character to get through that much prep work. The first few bits can be a real blast (sic) to do, but the rest must have been an absolute chore.
Back (briefly) to the chronos. Someone mentioned much earlier in the thread that they were built like Swiss watches. That is true, but only up to a point (obviously). it's probably not directly comparable, but I think the following principle holds true.....my mate has an early Rolex Submariner, and he put it into Rolex for a service. A couple of internal parts were swapped out for new, but due to minor corrosion, they also changed the face of the watch. By all accounts, it wiped a fair chunk of it's commercial value as well as changing my friend's personal connection with the watch. In the case of this Goldie, if anything is kept, I'd side with two wheels of hell, and try to ensure that the original instrument cases and faces stay with the bike. Ultimately, changing the internals of the instruments is no different from changing the crank for the beautiful Pearson item. Even re-finished, it would good to keep the original visible stuff with the bike and if anything has to be sacrificed, it should be the internal bits. Opinions?
Re: 1962 BSA DBD34 Gold Star restoration (hardware going to the plater!)
Joea, semantics. Basket instead of tumbling. I've never visited a commercial plating operation.
Chronometrics, still walking away from the speedo for now.
I am very happy to report my hardware shipped today and I chose Quality Plating to cadmium plate everything after several positive reviews from Britbike forum members. I spoke with Glenn, he was nice and it will take a couple of weeks but he is going to try and push the order so I have everything back before X-max, which would be great because I have several days off over the holidays, do not have to travel anywhere and plan to chill at home wrenching bikes.
In anticipation of a rolling chassis soon, I mounted my freshly powder coated center stand only to realize the right foot was bent.
So some quick work with an acetylene torch and wrench restored it to its original shape. Dropped it off at my powder coater today to have it blasted and recoated along with my engine stand.
I am going to start polishing my engine covers this week so they are ready to go when I assemble my motor with freshly plated hardware. Onwards and upwards...
Joea, semantics. Basket instead of tumbling. I've never visited a commercial plating operation.
Chronometrics, still walking away from the speedo for now.
I am very happy to report my hardware shipped today and I chose Quality Plating to cadmium plate everything after several positive reviews from Britbike forum members. I spoke with Glenn, he was nice and it will take a couple of weeks but he is going to try and push the order so I have everything back before X-max, which would be great because I have several days off over the holidays, do not have to travel anywhere and plan to chill at home wrenching bikes.
In anticipation of a rolling chassis soon, I mounted my freshly powder coated center stand only to realize the right foot was bent.
So some quick work with an acetylene torch and wrench restored it to its original shape. Dropped it off at my powder coater today to have it blasted and recoated along with my engine stand.
I am going to start polishing my engine covers this week so they are ready to go when I assemble my motor with freshly plated hardware. Onwards and upwards...
JustinLonghorn
No Purple Hearts, No Blue Ribbons
Re: 1962 BSA DBD34 Gold Star restoration (hardware going to the plater!)
I know this has been said many times over, but the attention to detail on your build is quite exceptional. I really appreciate your detailed documentation, sir. I am sure this build will help folks with their respective Goldies time and time again.
Please keep it up.
I know this has been said many times over, but the attention to detail on your build is quite exceptional. I really appreciate your detailed documentation, sir. I am sure this build will help folks with their respective Goldies time and time again.
Please keep it up.
adriannarnold
Coast to Coast
Re: 1962 BSA DBD34 Gold Star restoration (hardware going to the plater!)
Awesome news! I can't begin to imagine how long it took to do all that hardware...Great job
Awesome news! I can't begin to imagine how long it took to do all that hardware...Great job
