BSA B31 Ride out...11/08/2020

[@Lanes-Explorer5733]

Good to be out on a B31 again - last time was nearly 60 years ago. Brought it all back to me 👍. Thanks Bob

[@reggiesdad8842]

I have a 1949 rigid B31, and I love it. The lack of shock absorbers on the back isn’t really noticeable, but the forks tend to top out with a loud clonk on some of the extremely bumpy Lincolnshire back roads I ride it on. It’s great on smooth roads. I know telescopic forks were a new thing in 1949, maybe I am expecting too much of them. It’s a bike I can jump on and end up doing a 50 mile round trip on just to go and buy a loaf of bread.......

[@callookghia]

Mine is a 1949 rigid B33 and my forks clonk and pogo , its really bad on potholes, funnily enough only this morning I drained the oil from the forks !, pumped it out by bouncing the forks with the brake on. there was hardly any in and it was like watery mud ! Ive been advised to fill with 20/50 oil rather than sae 20 as its thicker. , just 1/4 litre in each fork, I'll try it out tomorrow see if it improves. Whats yours like Bob ?

[@bobmurphy9380]

Yes mines a clunker on the pot holes, but apart from dodging the holes it rides pretty smooth otherwise.

[@reggiesdad8842]

I am pleased that I am not the only one with clonky forks. At first I was sure there must be something wrong with them. I have never ridden a bike with girder forks, but if these BSA telescopic forks were an improvement on girders, then girder forks must be bloody horrible. I did read somewhere once that you could improve the rebound damping by fitting an Eddie Dow kit. Not sure whether this fits the really early B31 forks, though.

[@callookghia]

I read that too about the upgrade , here it is.. www.britbike.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=386659 I'll see how the thicker oil works when I take it for a blast Sunday morn, and avoid any potholes ! lol !

[@reggiesdad8842]

@@callookghia yes, mate, that is exactly where I had read it in the past. I think I will live with the forks as they are. It’s only a problem on really bumpy roads. Some of the rural back roads here in Lincolnshire are truly atrocious, I have to slow down to 45 mph or less on some of them when the going gets really rough. The forks work well on smoother roads. If only I could get the front brake to be a “stopper” rather than just a “slower-downer”, I probably should prioritise that over getting the forks working better..........

[@footmarshian8295]

Great bike love it

[@callookghia]

Been using mine the last few days , there's nothing like cruising around on a classic British thumper is there ?

[@bobmurphy9380]

Can't beat it.

[@callookghia]

You've got that running sweet ! sounds perfect . Is that the tapered silencer you've fitted ?

[@bobmurphy9380]

It is yes with the offset internal baffle.

[@375GTB]

I had a $90 '49 249 440cc Indian Warrior/Scout, in 1968... After reworking the new to Indian hydraulic fork, it too rode a hell of a lot better on back country Florida roads. I never like it's plunger rear end Chain slop and wiggles Looked for the bolt on ridged rear from their 220cc single... Never found a donor. Very much a 1949 Honda 450 prequel... Total change from the V-twins... Broke Hendee Mfg. by 1953.... Sad Enfield "Indians" were better, but not much support... History! J.C.