Fitting new retro rear shocks and retro horn to my BSA 2023 gold star 650 ⭐

[@kevindarkstar]

These type of rear shock are so much easier to do than the modern mono shock 😊

[@awesomeappleby5923]

Yes, I don't like mono shocks.

[@kevindarkstar]

Overall tho, the things you have done certainly make it look more sixtys vintage 😊

[@awesomeappleby5923]

As good as you get to the real thing, DBD 34 😀,👍

[@kevindarkstar]

@@awesomeappleby5923 well done on that, it's very unique

[@royhuxley8903]

I HAVE NOW ALSO CHANGED THE REA SHOCKS ON MINE AND I NOW GET A MUCH SMOOTHER RIDE. I ALSO BOUGHT FROM EBAY THE HORN WHICH LOOKS MORE IN KEEPING AT A SENSIBLE PRICE. THANK YOU.

[@awesomeappleby5923]

That's great to hear, looking more like the original everyday 👍

[@kevinbrett4274]

Thanks, helped with my starfire

[@awesomeappleby5923]

Great to hear this video helped you. Thanks for the feedback 👍

[@xtc2v]

Enclosed rear shock looks much better. Easy to clean compared to a spring!

[@awesomeappleby5923]

I agree, BSA should have done that in the first place 👍

[@splodge57]

Great bike, looks much better with these shocks and horn. Much like my 1960 BSA. Both were a very cheap price. The ace bars also look good.

[@awesomeappleby5923]

The BSA is getting just where I want it, back in the 50's 👍

[@ianhalliwell8604]

Due to my not inconsiderable weight I got some special upgraded shocks from tec which are slightly larger but only come in the chrome effect, which means my C spanner fits no probs. They give a much improved ride at the rear end. I also bought a cheap Chinese chrome clock which fits over the handlebars, it might not last years but at just over 4 quid I can replace it every year.

[@awesomeappleby5923]

Those shocks sound great 👍. I got one of those cheap chrome handle bar clocks, but removed it from the holder and double sided taped it to my headlight, just below the idiot clock.,😁👍

[@markpercy4277]

She looks lovely, l can't believe those new shocks didn't come with an adjustment spanner

[@awesomeappleby5923]

Well they came with the one shown in the video, but it's totally useless for their shocks, good job I'd got a push bike one 👍 😉

[@splodge57]

A pair for £88, I'm surprised you didn't only get one shock.

[@johnhelliwell2591]

14 stone here ... ive fitted yamaha V MAX shockers cos I've got lotsa v max stuff . Luvem . 😎👍

[@awesomeappleby5923]

Sounds cool 👍

[@karlsquire8148]

I know this is a bit old but only saw this vid today, just wondering how do you like the performance of these shocks, would you say they are good or bad, Good enough for everyday riding?. What brand are these shocks and do you know if they would be available for the Royal Enfield 650, I have a continental 650 I think that style of shock would look fantastic on my bike and by the way I love the way you have your bike setup, looks really nice buddy.

[@awesomeappleby5923]

Hi, these shocks are from a company called tecbikeparts.com Think they were around £85 which includes delivery in uk. Personally, the original BSA ones were good , i'am 12.5 stone and had them on number 3 setting, and the TEC ones Seems very similar in performance, good enough up to now. I just changed them for their looks. I would imagine they do them for Enfields,Think they would suit your bike as well.👍

[@tristankemp3997]

Thanks for this video. Been looking at these Tec shocks for a few weeks now but wanted to see a fitting tutorial before taking the plunge. Might you do the fronts next? Where did the horn come from btw?

[@awesomeappleby5923]

Your welcome, Horn from eBay, user name... classic_ bike_shop £16.95

[@ianhalliwell8604]

My upgraded shocks from tec were identical in price, £88 delivered. Looked at Hagons but they were about £100 more.

[@a65builder67]

it would look the part with a pair of stainless steel mud guards, now that would set it off.

[@awesomeappleby5923]

That would look great, but no one has made any yet, just got to wait a little longer until someone brings out more add ons 👍

[@neilfordham5790]

The shocks and horn look great, where did you buy them?

[@awesomeappleby5923]

Hi, thanks. The shocks off a company called TEC. Horn, off eBay ... Classic bike parts. £16.95 👍

[@Kaybe-i6f]

@@awesomeappleby5923 I’ve purchased the same horn from the same place for my 2017 Bullet 500. Wasn’t going to pay over 100 quid for the Lucas repo original. Look really nice and easier on the pocket!

[@LordTarbicus9497]

How do they compare to the originals? Better I’m hoping ?

[@awesomeappleby5923]

I'am 12 stone, but personally found the originals ok, setting number 3 from lowest. Put these Tec ones on, set at number 3 same as, only done around 20 miles on them and they seem a little better, they felt no worse than the originals which is a bonus. But I do have the drop bars on, so don't know what they are like with high bars on.

[@auntymammary866]

Hi do you know if the shockers are still on sale my husband would like some for his BSA goldstar 2024 thanks

[@awesomeappleby5923]

I got them from TEC, but for some reason, they don't supply them anymore. Think some people are getting hagon now, but think they are very expensive.. sorry, good luck in sourcing them. Have you made a request on the new BSA gold star forums, someone might have took the Tec ones off and put originals back on 🤞

[@mred7030]

very retro , nice . must see you take it for a run and hows the back with the new bars ? ps are you using that retro number plate ?

[@awesomeappleby5923]

Yes, I use that plate on the road all the time🫣👍 Got to get a helmet cam for a riding video, tried with my phone tucked in my leather, but nearly dropped it on the road🫣😯👍 Backs good, but hands knumb after around 25 miles

[@davidmacgregor5193]

Have you thought of changing the cheap plastic stock switchgear for quality aluminium after market switches? I don't think that the new Indian based BSA company are paying enough attention to detail on these Gold Star 650 models, using cheap looking parts on this retro machines spoil their overall look to my eyes.

[@awesomeappleby5923]

Yes, I suppose if they made it higher quality, it would have had to take on triumph or even Norton. £10 to £15 thousand. So I think they deliberately did the first model affordable at £6,500 then they only had royal Enfield to take business away from. They now have the name rights for bantam , thunderbolt and lightning, so who knows what's to come, I would love a v twin 1300cc, 2 of these 650s engines together.,,👍

[@davidmacgregor5193]

@@awesomeappleby5923 Thanks for your reply, I have since bought a Legacy Edition of the BSA, I changed the rear shocks for genuine Girling shrouded ones, I also swapped the horn like you did, I mounted the classic horn on the mounting that the stock horn used, so it is vertical. I installed a TEC tail tidy and baffle, I have a dummy brass front mudguard with the brass BSA logo on a black background. A perspex and stainless steel fly screen, a headlight peak with the BSA logo embossed on it, I've yet to install my drop handlebars and a small clock similar to yours. I am enjoying my BSA owning and riding experience. I only ever owned one BSA before, it was a 1959 C15 Star 250, I sold it in 1983 for £60.

[@awesomeappleby5923]

​@@davidmacgregor5193your bike sounds great, would like to see pics of the changes. Are you on Facebook, if so, I go on (Lumpy Carbs) Facebook page, it's great for our gold stars.👍

[@keithmoore5224]

I always use hagon rears tell them the bike weight your weight with or with out pilion you do get a spanèr just saying biker 50 years

[@awesomeappleby5923]

Yes, hagon are better quality, might upgrade at a later date 👍

[@markjordan899]

i think the tax disc should be on the left side..the idea that "traffic wardens" could check that it,s in date whilst they were walking along....

[@awesomeappleby5923]

Yes you're correct, it should be on the left, but I thought, as it's only for show, it might be seen easier on the right, more showing off 😆👍

[@kevindarkstar]

Personally I think that horn position is poor, but unavoidable due to the huge radiator 😮

[@awesomeappleby5923]

Radiator is large, hopefully they reduce it on the next model 👍

[@kevindarkstar]

@@awesomeappleby5923 kinda puts a crimp in your attempt to get the vintage style

[@splodge57]

The horn is in the same place as on my 1959 BSA Super Rocket.

[@kevindarkstar]

@@splodge57 really, Mmm that's interesting

[@kevindarkstar]

Mmm I'm afraid that horn is a typical cheap, tinny sounding hi pitch horn, I'm not a fan myself of these, I prefer the lower note car sounding type 👍🏻

[@awesomeappleby5923]

I know, sounds like road runner, ( BEEP BEEP) 😂 but the bike's not worth anything more than a £16 horn 😂

[@splodge57]

Looks good, much like the BSA of the 50's/60's.

[@kevindarkstar]

Where did you get those new shocks, the adjustment design is piss poor, and giving you a tool which is useless is piss poor customer service too 🤷🏻‍♂️ I'd be passing that point back to the manufacturer.

[@awesomeappleby5923]

Got them from Tec in UK. They even had pitting on the chrome? I couldn't be bothered to complain, but they do work excellent , which is a nice surprise 🫢😀👍

[@splodge57]

£88!!! that's a few cups of coffee in London.

[@jeremykeller211]

New shocks for your Mahindra? Very good. Your next improvement? Subtract at least 80 lbs from this obese vehicle.

[@awesomeappleby5923]

I think the shocks look great, most of the weight is very low down, and the seat height is quite low, so the bike don't feel as heavy as it may seem, and once your moving, it feels super light 👍