Re: 1962 BSA DBD34 Gold Star restoration (Gearbox is done)
I ordered my new clutch yesterday and should see it next week. Also, I managed to find an original OEM Smiths speedometer dial with the exact matching numbers as my old one. When it arrives next week, I am going to bite the bullet and send it out to Nisonger for restoration. Joe V is getting my mag next week for restoration as well.
I could not find a replacement quick detach QD Gold Star wiring harness from the normal US vendors, so I asked Phil Pearson in the UK and he did not know. George Prew told me he did carry them but does not anymore because the current ones are “rubbish”. Both taped and cloth braided non quick detach versions are easily available. I read somewhere older Land Rovers utilized the same Lucas QD plug (???) Also, I read on
Tiger Spares' website (but could not confirm) an earlier Triumph Pre-unit QD harness would work on a GS. "We offer Early Replica Parts ranging from QD Wiring Harnesses for 1949 TR5 '60-'62 Pre-unit TR6 and T120. This harness is also found on the BSA Gold Star, Rocket Gold Star and many other competition machines of the period."
I thought my bike had an incomplete wiring harness, so I went back and studied my breakdown photos and realized I did have a full harness to begin with, but did not know where I put it. I dug through my BSA parts boxes and could not find it, but today a friend needed a Honda CB750 part and when I searched my Honda spares I found my missing section of GS harness. Yes! It is dirty and dusty but not terribly bad or chewed up. I think I can salvage it. If not, I will order the correct color wires and bullet connectors from British Wiring and make a new one using the old as a template. Or as suggested by rick e (thanks!) I could order a non-quick detach harness and splice it with the male and female 5 pin QD plugs from my old harness. The original Lucas 41SA switch is frozen solid and will be replaced.
I am going to bead blast and re-zinc the metal parts of the plugs.