|
|
|
|
#1
10-02-11, 04:36
|
|||
|
|||
Quote:
I wish I had known more about bikes. I found out the hard way that once the left crank is off, you can drive the shaft off the right crank and through the hub. I was trying to pull the crank off the shaft.....a lot harder to do. Supposed to warm up to 0 this weekend so I'll be able to run the compressor and sandblast the frame and accessories. 
|
|
#2
13-02-11, 02:29
|
|||
|
|||
|
Got the frame into the sandblaster. It was a tight fit, but once in there the frame could be moved and even rolled over by hinging open and closed the smaller half. In the third photo, you can see some of the sloppy brazing from the factory. Unfortunately, it will end up looking like a large dried paint run once painted over, but thats the way BSA made her, so thats the way she'll stay.
Last edited by rob love; 13-02-11 at 02:38.
|
|
#3
13-02-11, 02:32
|
|||
|
|||
|
During the blasting, another crack showed up on the frame from ice. This made a total of four of them. Since the tubes are tapered, it would appear they were made from rolled metal, with a seam, which was very subject to opening up. Below is a shot of the crack, welding it up, and the finished repair. Then it was back into the sandblaster to finish the stripping.
Last edited by rob love; 13-02-11 at 02:39.
|
|
#5
13-02-11, 02:46
|
|||
|
|||
|
I have also had to remove the pedals from the cranks, in order to free up the detent balls. Last thing you would want is for the pedal to work it's way inward and get caught up on the frame. I put penetrating oil on the detent ball, and tried to work it loose....no luck. I was about to drill a small hole behind the ball and force some grease in to puch the ball out, when I though I would give a try at simply drilling out the ball. It never should have worked, but it did. The drill bit cut right through the detent ball and cleaned out the hole. It certainly was not any type of ball bearing I am used to. A drill bit never should have been able to do that. Hopefully I'll get as lucky on crank number two.
|
|
#6
13-02-11, 17:42
|
|||
|
|||
|
http://cgi.ebay.ca/1942-BSA-Airborne...item53e608879b
Above listing is for a BSA folding bike on ebay. The seller tried to sell it in two parts (frame and crank in one auction, wheels and brakes in another) but the buyer forgot to ask his wife if he could buy it so it has ended up being offered again. It would have sold for a little over $1050. It is now reaching $1000 with 5 hours to go. (Edited to add: sold for $1140). This bike actually has about the same amount of original parts (maybe even less) than what I started with. The wheels and tires, one crank, all the brakes are not original to a para bike, and the seat is altogether missing. Handlebars are bent. When I got this pile of bike, I was embarrassed by what I had. There wasn't a lot there, and it was pretty weathered. I am starting to think that it may turn out OK. There are a couple of other BSA bikes on ebay now, in the $3,000 to $4,000 range. Not selling mind you, but listed at those prices. Where does the madness end? I have bought Jeeps in running and roadworthy condition for less. Last edited by rob love; 15-02-11 at 05:59.
|
|
#7
13-02-11, 17:57
|
||||
|
||||
|
Hey Rob,
I'd think that your bike will be worth a lot more once completed than the other comps you posted. Yours is the much harder to find early pattern with the offset saddle mount. The folding bikes have always seemed to be expensive compared to other military vehicles. I think one of the draws for people is their size. A reenactor or collector living in an apartment can store a bike a lot easier than they could a jeep or a carrier. Welbikes followed the same trend and were always about three times the price of a folding bike. When a nice bike was $500, the Welbikes were in the $1200-1500 price range. Now they seem to be in the $5000-8000 range for a runner. Similar thoughts to the crazy prices on the carrier tools and accessories on the other discussion. The bar keeps getting raised.
__________________
David Gordon - MVPA # 15292 '41 Willys MB British Airborne Jeep '42 Excelsior Welbike Mark I '43 BSA Folding Military Bicycle '44 Orme-Evans Airborne Trailer No. 1 Mk. II '44 Airborne 100-Gallon Water Bowser Trailer '44 Jowett Cars 4.2-Inch Towed Mortar '44 Daimler Scout Car Mark II '45 Studebaker M29C Weasel
|
 |
| Thread Tools | |
| Display Modes | |
|
|
Hybrid Mode
