BSA B40 SS short 'before' road test to check on reported issues.

[@Mike-er7ym]

What a beautiful looking machine! I really want one 😃

[@limyrob1383]

I had one exactly like that many years ago. I didn't like it, it had more power than a C15 but it wasn't as nice to ride, got a B31 later and much preferred it, smoother and a better ride. Put a slit in the carb ring and jubilee clip, worked back in the day 😀

[@amelierenoncule]

A young lad (10 or 11) here, who viewed this ride with us, is convinced that THAT staccato-like noise, heard at 07:10 and throughout, is the result of the machine having a deck of playing cards (probably Poker) making contact with the spokes... like what he does with his bicycle. He's quite thrilled by this belief, which dissuades me from disagreeing with him. Anyways, he now sees an added advantage in, one day, securing his own motorbike. The innocent dreams of the young !

[@wdhewson]

Some interesting noises accompany that mount !!

[@paulhenshaw4514]

Yes indeed!

[@curtisarmstrong6521]

What a lovely bike

[@hermangibbs8163]

Hi Paul. Beautiful machine. This is the first one I have seen except for the one in my 1963 BSA sales info. It seems a bit under geared, but then I am looking through a computer screen. Thanks again for the ride!

[@paulhenshaw4514]

Hi Herman, it is very low geared, possibly running on 250 gearing, I suspect. Thank you for watching!

[@davidrenn6897]

BSA's unit singles were great bikes!

[@charlestomasino9161]

Nice bike.looks like a nice warm day there

[@buxvan]

Looks like my old SS90 I bought in 1980 for £50 ! I rebuilt it & it ran great. FTG 9C. Engine number B SS 177

[@paulhenshaw4514]

This one was 'A' reg, can't make out the engine / frame numbers in any pictures I have, but the owner might see this and comment.

[@peter7624]

Well it doesn't live up to the SS moniker unless thats "super slow" 😎. Some strange noises too! I always prefered the older B31/B33, heavier but much more robust mechanically. Looks nice though! Great video Paul.

[@paulhenshaw4514]

Hi Peter and thanks. I had this machine back in a little later to fit the correct gearing, which was a big help speed wise at least. There is probably another video of a ride on it with the raised gearing in my collection.

[@66jingle]

really instructive, thanks

[@topcappy100]

That's cleaned a few cobwebs!

[@peterwardle572]

Paul I would agree with you, there is a metallic clatter, and the ignition switch was in emergency position, you only do that to start it. I did ride a B40 for 4 years about 1966 to 1970, a standard B40, and that thing with the nacelle looks sort of standard, but the paint looks metallic, not straight BSA Red . I still have my B40. My mate had a SS80, much more chrome and metallic blue. Plus it should tick over like a clock, don't keep revving it, and the B40 is over square so it likes Reve's, not like a long stroke single, it does pull from low revs but run it a bit higher. The gearing is high in top, it might do 80mph but the gearing is to 95mph, top is over drive

[@paulhenshaw4514]

Hi Peter, I was running it with the ignition 'ON', until I switched to 'EMG' when I pulled over into that layby. I switched back to 'ON' a couple of hundred yards later, as the misfiring was really bad, just like the owner had described to me and it ran fine again as soon as I switched it back.

[@peterwardle572]

@@paulhenshaw4514 Paul, sorry, maybe I put it badly but I was agreeing with you. I only used EMG if I had a flat battery, and that was only to start it, then switch over to ON, never run on EMG.I loved my B40, did about 50k on it. Got it from the 'bought as seen' selection from Pride & Clarkes at Brixton, London.

[@paulhenshaw4514]

@@peterwardle572 Thanks for that!

[@BilgemasterBill]

Sounds a bit like my Enfield Bullet's headsteady when it loosened a bit, but we'll see what you discern...Until then, I'm really warming up to those old Beezas. And they're still a relative bargain compared to the traditionally "sexier" marques.

[@claycarley9201]

Beautiful machine. I was previously concerned about some noises (that metallic clatter) my B44 EA was making but I heard a lot of the same out of that bike. I ended up replacing the clutch rubbers, 1 was missing and the rest were pretty shot out but I'm curious to see what you find as well!

[@notwocdivad]

An inspired bit of diagnostics Paul well done for spotting that, It did seem to have a bit of a buzz when throttled off a bit, or could that be that camera of yours? I nearly bought one of those years ago but when I went to pay for it the bloke couldn't part with it! Not surprised they are nice machines.

[@BilgemasterBill]

According to my Transaction Meter: "Wife forcing sale" detected. He didn't really WANT to sell that bike, just be able to claim, "I'm TRYING, Honey!"

[@roysmith4716]

It’s correct , I have one.

[@johnwalters5131]

they called it the 'SS90 , lòoks good , sounds awful 🤔

[@stevekwall925]

which direction looking straight at the key, would be the Emergency position ? to the right or left ?

[@paulhenshaw4514]

Clockwise for on and anticlockwise for emergency.

[@stevekwall925]

@@paulhenshaw4514 Thanks Paul

[@stevekwall925]

I have the same issue with my B 40 .

[@shaneweightman]

Love your videos , but your camera work is shocking almost unwatchable,

[@paulhenshaw4514]

Sorry, but I don't have the budget and back up that Henry Cole has.

[@highdownmartin]

@@paulhenshaw4514 I like watching Paul. It’s fine as far as I’m concerned. Just took my new b40 out today. Timing and mixture certainly need attention. Mechanically it’s all good though. Pretty good to fifty then runs out of steam. A touch retarded I think and a 928 carb would probably help as well. The 626 is strangling it at 50 per.