1962 BSA DBD34 Gold Star restoration (1000 miles and more)

Re: 1962 BSA DBD34 Gold Star restoration (UPDATE vapor blasted!)

Sonreir, the stock crank in a DBD motor was the Gold Star's Achille's heel. It could not handle the power of the motor and many broke a rod, holed a crankcase, loosened crank rivets and worse. Pearson's cranks are indeed works of art using the best modern materials, pressfit, bearings, Carrillo rod etc made to a tolerance of .0002. He has been working on Gold Stars for more then 40 years and one of the most respected names in the business. I ordered my crank and it is the 550th crankshaft he has made for Goldies. It will be the heart of the beast and will offer peace of mind when I really put the spurs to my bike. Phil said it will be done it 2-3 weeks. I cannot wait!

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(Pearson in workshop, photo Mike Loper 2003)
 
Re: 1962 BSA DBD34 Gold Star restoration (UPDATE vapor blasted!)

Hey Swan, Just found your postings, great series - great progress! Curious who you found to do your cad plating. I need to send a bunch of hardware out for a couple of my Brit bikes. Platers are drying up in SoCal these days...

Thanks!

Bob
 
Re: 1962 BSA DBD34 Gold Star restoration (UPDATE vapor blasted!)

Bob, I am using Aero Propellor in Colorado for my cad plating. I am still trying to find the time to finish cleaning, prepping and documenting all my Goldie hardware and extra gearbox, as well as a Norton gearbox, my Triumph T110 and a few other British bits for plating. Aero is good, I spoke to the owner and he understand old bikes. $125 minimum and it is about $5 a pound to cad plate. Everything needs to be CLEAN. I hope to ship everything on Friday.


A few more steps forward while I wait for my crankshaft. I ordered all new bearings from Simply Bearings UK (C3 clearances available in RHP, SKF and FAG bearings), a replacement 65-2442 camshaft and tappet as well as a new gasket set. I need to get my hardware out and start polishing the covers so I can put the motor together. Soon!
 
Re: 1962 BSA DBD34 Gold Star restoration (UPDATE vapor blasted!)

Minor update, bearings arrived from UK and new gasket set is here. Have not heard from Pearson so I will call him soon.

My girlfriend is visiting me for 6 weeks so I have been busy with her and have little to no time to wrench...
 
Re: 1962 BSA DBD34 Gold Star restoration (UPDATE vapor blasted!)

Just spoke to Phil and he finished my crankshaft last night. He will balance it to my new piston, ship early next week and I should this within a week. Cannot wait!
 
Re: 1962 BSA DBD34 Gold Star restoration (UPDATE vapor blasted!)

I am totally in love with this entire build. Just spent an hour looking through all 19 pages and am blown away. Awesome.
 
Re: 1962 BSA DBD34 Gold Star restoration (New crankshaft arrived!!!!)

Thanks Ethanol, it has been quite a ride...

WOW! I spoke to Phil Pearson on Friday July 15th and he said my crank was done, he would balance it over the weekend and ship on Monday. I sent a thank you e-mail to his wife Linda this morning and FedEx showed up with my crank! One day delivery from the UK. WOW. Here is my beautiful Pearson crankshaft #550, Carrillo rod and new piston and rings awaiting its new home. I am stunned, it even smells good.
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note the date stamp "14/7/2011", today is 19/7/2011. It was GBP 800 or USD $1290.00 and worth every cent for the peace of mind it offers.
 
Re: 1962 BSA DBD34 Gold Star restoration (New crankshaft arrived!!!!)

That is a thing of beauty! Congrats, now the engine will likely outlive you. Hope you enjoy the hell out of it! Can't wait to see all the good stuff put back in and please post a vid of the engine running when cpmplete.
 
Re: 1962 BSA DBD34 Gold Star restoration (New crankshaft arrived!!!!)

Thanks guys! I brought it home and CANNOT STOP STARING AT IT...
 
Re: 1962 BSA DBD34 Gold Star restoration (New crankshaft arrived!!!!)

It is kind of sad, knowing that such a beautiful piece of machinery will be hidden away inside of a motor. However, there is something absolutely heartwarming knowing that beautiful piece of machinery is going to keep that same motor happy. And, in turn, keep you happy as well.

I love this build.
 
Re: 1962 BSA DBD34 Gold Star restoration (New crankshaft arrived!!!!)

This is what we call "man jewelry"
Cheers, 50gary
 
Re: 1962 BSA DBD34 Gold Star restoration (New crankshaft arrived!!!!)

Mr Swan ,your photos,comments,attention to detail (attempts at humour) have truly inspired a first time builder,i've now stripped my modest cb100 cafe project which was nearly half arseddly finished(that's a technical term)and am starting again-semi properly this time-----thankyou-------can't wait for more of yours
 
Re: 1962 BSA DBD34 Gold Star restoration (New crankshaft arrived!!!!)

swan said:
Thanks guys! I brought it home and CANNOT STOP STARING AT IT...
Click to expand...

You know, I could sit that on my coffee table and call it art. I would look at it all day and smile. But then the bike would never get finished! I think you need to frame a picture of it and hang it in the grage so you can see it after you hide it away in the belly of the beast so to speak.
 
Re: 1962 BSA DBD34 Gold Star restoration (New crankshaft arrived!!!!)

Dear god that is stunning. Cant wait to see this bike back together.
 
Re: 1962 BSA DBD34 Gold Star restoration (New crankshaft arrived!!!!)

Thanks all! I am going to photograph it well and hopefully never need to look at it again. Pearson told me a customer wanted acrylic crankcases so they could see their crank.

To me it is beyond fine craftsmanship, but true art. Highly functional, utilitarian, industrial and kinetic sculpture...I am going to abuse as hard as I can, knowing it will take anything I throw at it.
 
Re: 1962 BSA DBD34 Gold Star restoration (New crankshaft arrived!!!!)

Whoa now, I'll bet those BSA cases can't take as much stress as the crank Pearson crank and the Carrillo rod (& probably a forged piston) can dish out? The cases may flex enough to cause damage not born of the crank, rod or piston? A man has got to know his limitations. heh heh.
Cheers, 50gary
 
Re: 1962 BSA DBD34 Gold Star restoration (New crankshaft arrived!!!!)

That truly is a piece of fine art. What amazing craftsmanship! Congrats, and thanks for the updates
 
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