BSA A10 650 Super Rocket - Wet Sump Drain

A brief video to show the procedure I use to drain the wet sump after the bike has been standing a while...

[@bonkeydollocks1879]

Yes, the colour of those plugs are ok,

[@2wheelvintage361]

Beautiful bike, sounds as good as it looks.

[@nickbarber2080]

Plug should be the colour of a rich tea biscuit.

[@CharltonsClassics]

Ahh that’s a good way of remembering it actually!

[@willywonka8730]

Are they now giving out awards for "the most miles using the same oil?" It appears to me that an oil change is long past due. Sorry - never saw someone actually ADMITTING they were reusing old oil. That's taking "It's only original once" a bit far. Don't you think?

[@CharltonsClassics]

Haha now that’s a fair point but I have a defence. The bike is laid up for long periods of time and wet dumps as I’m sure you could have guessed. The oil is about 100 miles old but I use duckhams green so if you look closely it’s clear and fresh, but dark green.

[@willywonka8730]

@@CharltonsClassics Can't Find BSA's in the states AT ALL! Your example looks and sounds great. Music to my ears. Glad you have a sense of humor - Albeit British. Duckhams eh?! New to me.

[@splodge5714]

The plugs on my Super Rocket are always sooty if checked after a ride but when checked after cutting out engine at high revs in 3rd gear the plugs are a perfect light tan colour. And when it has stood without starting for 5 months of the winter I get about 1pint of oil from the sump. Never been a problem and the bike starts and runs great.

[@CharltonsClassics]

I had heard that with the SRM Oil Pump this issue was a lot less pronounced, but I do seem to get a lot of oil in the sump after a couple of months without starting... Quick enough procedure to drain though eh :)

[@mikeburton7077]

Srm base bolt is awkward to screw in !

[@ARIELVB]

High compression pistons in the Super Rocket make them a bit of a beast to start, always make sure the mag leaver is well retarded , I found out the hard way !

[@CharltonsClassics]

Yeah it's a surprisingly tiring procedure. Mine has the electronic ignition which also has its own knack to get used to, but hopefully more reliable in the long run 🙂

[@keyote3]

One of my old A10's sent me flying through the back wall of my shed.....!!!!

[@video3ish]

Ive only owned a SR for a week. Easiest starting bike ive ever owned. Of prob 10 starts so far maybe 7 went on the 1st kick & 3 on 2nd. Even got a 1st kick after leaving out all night. Im a big buggar though & have owned endless big dirt bikes

[@shingerz]

The bloke that rebuilt my engine told me not to drain the sump but that was when changing the oil he must have his reasons for that mate ps i would have changed that oil keeps em good 👍

[@CharltonsClassics]

To be honest I’ve never accidentally started it without draining the sump after a lay-up, but I’ve heard that it will throw all the excess oil over the back wheel from the oil tank ‘overflow’. There’s always about a litre in mine so not an insignificant about, and that’s with the SRM oil pump, and being left on compression 🤔

[@karachaffee3343]

How did you get the oil plug and surrounding case cleaned before draining oil? (how to avoid picking up grit?)

[@CharltonsClassics]

That's a very good point actually. There is a very small oil leak (which I think is actually coming from the gearbox) so every couple of months while she's laid up I spray the underside with gunk and wipe it down. Definitely one to remember before draining the wet sump though, if the oil is still new.