BSA A65 Strip Part 1 | Rick's Fixes with SRM

Part 1) Introduction and engine top end strip
• BSA A65 Strip Part 1 |...
Part 2) Engine side covers, clutch electrics etc
• BSA A65 Strip Part 2 |...
Part 3) Engine bottom end crankcase split and summary
• BSA A65 Strip Part 3 |...
Part 4) SRM engineering services and parts, conclusion
• BSA A65 Strip Part 4 |...
Even the youngest classic British parallel twin is at least 35 years old so wear and tear is inevitable. Classic Bike magazine Technical Editor and lifelong British bike fettler Rick P takes a trip to SRM Engineering in Wales to observe a BSA A65 engine strip and to find out how its problems can be resolved.

[@alancox1444]

Thank you so much. Great to see the experts at work and get some tips before having a go at home. Most of us don't do it often enough to remember the pitfalls. A fitter turner friend of mine said you don't need a micrometer. On an old Brit bike it's pretty obvious when something is worn out. Back in the 70's I could rip these down and put them back together in an evening. The alternative was catching the bus to work.

[@markhagge8646]

Hurrah! Finally a Classic Bike youtube channel! I hope Rick will let us hear some of his project bikes or bikes from his own personal collection, running in his shed or running down the road.

[@dakavanagh]

I'm just finding this video in time! I have a Spitfire Mk IV and it ran 9 years, then was parked, so I'm sure I'll find something inside to be unhappy about! Is that check list you mention early on something you'd be willing to share?

[@Ginga7r]

Cool video

[@paulbodman3335]

i use to go to srm when there were at penarth nr cardiff

[@paulfuller8985]

With all due respect to SRM because I know they do great work , why is the crankcase not held in a jig ? It would make disassembly much easier and safer .

[@Ivorbiggin]

My thoughts exactly………😮

[@bigred8438]

Yes definitely need a re-bore if it is going to be a 750. Perhaps a re-sleeve to aye?

[@bigred8438]

I had a '64 model thunderbolt and I replaced all the rocker cover fixing hardware with newly made studs that had BSF (lower half of the stud) and 1/4 " (above) and nickle plated dome nuts. BSF was terrible to work with, given the various range of sizes and I couldn't get tools to suit. I generally used metric substitutes and muddled through.

[@markletts2000]

Great stuff...better to film the whole strip down,.narrate over the top and some close ups would be better though,..imo

[@Ivorbiggin]

I wonder why the engine is not in nice engine stand

[@bigred8438]

Are we sure that isn't a 750 already, those pistons look huge!?

[@bigred8438]

Is that a pre '66 model?

[@jonallaway2002]

Lead free valve seat conversion? What is this and what is entailed? (and how much does it cost?)

[@grahamwalker5693]

not needed at all another scam

[@mrunderhood]

4:20 jumps past the rocker shaft removal. How do they come out? I tried tapping our right to left but not getting any movement. I don't want to get very aggressive with the Hammer!

[@mysticapprentice]

First of all, get a workshop manual and study carefully. That said: "Slacken off the two front (exhaust) valve rocker adjusting screws until the two pushrods can be removed, then unscrew the nut holding the exhaust rocker shaft - at the front right-hand side - and tap the shaft through towards the left hand, leaving the rockers in position. Pay attention to the position of the spring and thrust washers, then lift the rockers from between the shaft pillars."

[@davepratt2563]

I’m at the point of pulling the exhaust rocker shaft on mine and expect the shaft will require some special efforts so I checked the manual and watched this video- they skipped it? WTF? The manual does not address “sticky” shafts. If needed, I plan to use a heavy hammer/hand sledge and a blunt shaft to tap it out. Perhaps add some heat to the towers but not on the rocker or shaft. 4:46

[@4418CARLOU]

Those jeans a little on the long side!

[@velocettedude]

Conrods are 50 to 60 years old and are best in the bin. Billet conrods are the way to go. Just my two cents.

[@Richard-pe4cx]

one day my a10 that you can see in my avatar will be there in the meantime back to the shed

[@peterbell4662]

Rick is full of waffle - let him work..

[@grahamwalker5693]

srm used to be good now just average would never use their tsb con

[@danproctor15]

It would have been great to hear the SRM people, If your going there to use their technical skills why talk over them all the time. Aren't they the experts?

[@StevesDIYProjects7]

skipping steps. bummer. dont show how pulled out the rocker arms. skipping showing removing the rockers. skipped lot steps. almost makes video pointless to someone like me who is about to put one these motors back together and no helpful info. o well been mechanic long enough i think ill be fine. just wanted to see what im up against.

[@DavidRodriguez-pd1sy]

Yeah, I agree. Also, a top-down view would have helped as well.

[@charlesmiddleton718]

BSA cut corners, fixing these bikes would probably not be cheap.

[@bonkeydollocks1879]

SRM = Such Ridiculous Money Very expensive

[@jonallaway2002]

How come there were no cam followers fitted when the barrels were removed? This engine had been loosely assembled just for the purpose of this filmed stripdown, hadn't it? Nowt wrong wi that but why not say so at the start?

[@dentwatkins2193]

He removed them at 6:15