BSA Tour of Britain

[jagman.2003]

Hello all,
Thought I'd put my old bike renovation on here for anyone who may be interested.
Having been pondering the idea of a new winter road bike (n+1 theory) my thoughts went to my old BSA that had been festering at the back of my workshop for over 20 years.
I believe it to be from around early 1980's (Raleigh era). I bought it around 1986 as a commuter when I was an apprentice for £15. I don't expect it to be worth anymore now. I rode it for several years until it could take the potholes no more & I bought an early mountain bike. It has been gathering dust & rust ever since.

My plan is not to make it original. But update it with some subtle hints to it's older style origins. That may not please the purists but as it's not worth much I'm not really too worried. I don't think it'll be that light but modern components will hopefully remove some poundage from the original overall weight.

So far the frame has been stripped, rust removed, dry fitted some parts to check fit & frame painted. I have most of the parts now bar mudguards & a saddle. I'll post some pictures up when I have a moment.

 

[sidevalve]

BSA were one of the great cycle builders at one time then sadly their products got watered down untill they were just a name used by someone else [bit like their m/cycles really]. Makes you wonder what would have happened if such companies had carried on with proper investment and basic product research - would we now be looking at BSA instead of shimano ? A bit sad really.
Still let's see some pics when you've finished.

 

[jagman.2003]

BSA were one of the great cycle builders at one time then sadly their products got watered down untill they were just a name used by someone else [bit like their m/cycles really]. Makes you wonder what would have happened if such companies had carried on with proper investment and basic product research - would we now be looking at BSA instead of shimano ? A bit sad really.
Still let's see some pics when you've finished.

Yes, I totally agree. My research has informed me that BSA set the standard for thread form. Luckily that means the modern Shimano bottom bracket fits!

 

[jagman.2003]

Before...

During, bare metal...

During, primer...

Final colour....

 

[Cycleops]

BSA were one of the great cycle builders at one time then sadly their products got watered down untill they were just a name used by someone else [bit like their m/cycles really]. Makes you wonder what would have happened if such companies had carried on with proper investment and basic product research - would we now be looking at BSA instead of shimano ? A bit sad really.
Still let's see some pics when you've finished.

Unfortunately they suffered the same fate as many other cycle manufacturers not due to low investment but simply because small mass produced cars became very affordable. The the image of a bike rider became associated with blue collar workers. People were "upwardly mobile" and didn't want to appear old fashioned. Britain was booming and the then Prime Minister told us "you've never had it so good", and it was true. TV was in its infancy and most people had never seen the Tour of Britain on the box. Competitive cycling was still the preserve of dedicated enthusiasts.

 

[biggs682]

glad somebody else has a tidy garage / workshop , keep up the goodwork and some more pics towards the end please

 

[John the Canuck]

glad somebody else has a tidy garage / workshop , keep up the goodwork and some more pics towards the end please

well, that's one way of keeping the missus out of the 'man-cave'...!...

yes, pics please

 

[jagman.2003]

glad somebody else has a tidy garage / workshop , keep up the goodwork and some more pics towards the end please

Yes, I started employing this tidying system some years ago & it has been very consistent ever since. It's all in there somewhere!

 

[sidevalve]

glad somebody else has a tidy garage / workshop , keep up the goodwork and some more pics towards the end please

HAH !! Call that tidy - used to dream of the shed being that tidy ! There's room to stand up in it - get some proper junk [sorry, usefull spares] in there !

 

[biggs682]

Yes, I started employing this tidying system some years ago & it has been very consistent ever since. It's all in there somewhere!

its amazing what you find in amongst all the other stuff

 

[jagman.2003]

Will update shortly but I'm leaving the paint to harden for a week before moving on.

 

[jagman.2003]

Bit of an update, the paint was flatted back at the weekend. Added some decals that I purchased from H.Lloyds. These were the closest to the originals they had. They are close enough for me given the value of the frame. Look just fine & went on very easily. I've since lacquered the frame.

It's not a perfect finish but certainly good enough. My father dropped by my workshop & asked me if I bought a new frame. That's a good enough recommendation to me. I will leave a few more days for the paint to harden some more

For reference I used Rustoleum paint from B&Q with matching lacquer. Comparing the colour to some of the original paint in the bottom bracket it's virtually spot on. It was initially treated with dinitrol rust converter.

Hopefully start building at the weekend. Just gotta sort a saddle & some mudguards. Maybe another stem after test ride.

 

[Cycleops]

That is really nice. What mix of components will you be putting on? Looking forward to the finished product.

 

[jagman.2003]

That is really nice. What mix of components will you be putting on? Looking forward to the finished product.

I'm working on the example of those Discovery channel classic cars modernisations, like Overhaulin'. These programs often put new engines in, but as that's me then the bike will have to do with an original version with a decoke!

The intention is to use this bike on days not that suited to my 'best' road bike. I could have just bought a cheap alloy frame, but this has the sentimental value as well.

Alloy wheels - Well some R501's that have been passed down from my commuter.
Tyres - Specialised Armadillo 28c's that are presently on the wheels. Marathons when the weather turns.
Brakes - Some new long reach side pull calipers in place of the seized cantilevers.
BB - Shimano UN.
Drive train - Shimano Tiagra 10 speed. Mainly new in sale items & nearly new levers. Frame has been cold stretched as per Sheldon's example & test fitted.
Chainset - New Non descript compact in silver.
Headset - New in silver with Quill to AHead adaptor.
New drop handlebars & lizard skin tape. Was going to use the old bars but they are very battered & small.
SKS full mudguards.
Pedals - Used Shimano M540's from another bike.
Forks - New steel from eBay. Old ones were just too badly distorted.
Seatpost - New silver alloy.
Stem - Have some lengths in stock to match bars.
Saddle - TBA.
Picked up a few other fun parts from eBay to make it all work a bit better as well.

Hoping to get some time to get it all started at the weekend. Looking forward to see how it rides....again!

 

[jagman.2003]

SKS mudguards purchased last night from local Evans, thanks to late night opening.