[Watasha]

In the winter of 20100/2011 my brother and I got wind of a BSA chopper for sale. So we went and checked it out, turns out the guy who had it was in a wheel chair, and had traded his camaro 15 years earlier for the BSA. He previously had it in his living room with the headlight wired up like a lamp. His NASCAR collection got larger and there was no more room for the bike so it went into storage. I found it in a shed under a bunch of wheelchairs, made a deal, shovelled some snow and took it home...

 

[[email protected]]

how much did he pay you to shovel a path to his shed ?
that's a nice looking bike and a great story to go with it
best of luck

 

[Watasha]

This is basically how it looked when I got it...

And this is a photo of when it was originally chopped in 1974. I've never looked at the back of the photo...I'm gonna do that right now.

 

[Watasha]

The bike has some really righteous engraving on it, but someone painted it with house paint and bent the sissy bar for some reason.

When I was stripping the paint off the gas tank I found the original paint underneath so did my best to salvage it

I don't know much of "Custom John" maybe someone on here knows this dude?

 

[Watasha]

And then, my brother moved to Vancouver and it sat in a shed with no moisture protection for a year.
I bought it back from him and made the 18 hour trek down there, loaded it up and brought it back up North to finish it.

This is a couple days after I got it home, just a loose mock up to see where I stand on the project.

I toyed with the idea of trying to redo what they did in the 70s but I think I am going to be changing some stuff.

Now it's in a roller, a proper roller except for the risers and bars. While the bike sat in Vancouver some parts "walked" off. one of the risers, the brake pedal, the tail light/license plate mount, and a couple other things as well as a bunch of hardware. I'm guessing his ex roomates fuckin' xs650 build took some donations from my pile.

 

[Watasha]

I've been working on one thing a day, polishing a part up, or cleaning and reassembling.

This is where I am stuck right now. Nevermind how twisted the fender is, once I fix the sissy bar and fender bracket it will be right. What I am wondering is why my wheel seems to be so offset to the right. I assume because of the brake and sprocket/chain side it causes some offset, but it seems like its over a half inch too far. Maybe my rim is messed up?

 

[Watasha]

how much did he pay you to shovel a path to his shed ?
that's a nice looking bike and a great story to go with it
best of luck

Thanks man, and no, he didn't even give me a break on the price. Cripples, I tell ya.

 

[reverb]

...hello man, normally the barnfinds are all rusted and way worst than what you find.
That engine looks pretty good, at least outside.
Do you tear it apart or ride like this and see later?

 

[takin-care-of-business]

sick oil tank!

me likey BSA chops.....

 

[scottto93]

I dont mind buying parts etc that are painted with shitty rattlecan or house paint....preserves whats underneath....nice score!

 

[JustinLonghorn]

Very rad, man!

 

[[JP]]

Very good!! I like that!

you have a proper man cave going on in there too!

 

[Automotive Stud]

I think it's fairly common for the rear wheel to be offset to the right when hardtailing these. My Triumph wheel is about that far over also and seems to ride fine. I centered the fender over the tire and you don't notice unless you are looking for it.

 

[Watasha]

I think it's fairly common for the rear wheel to be offset to the right when hardtailing these. My Triumph wheel is about that far over also and seems to ride fine. I centered the fender over the tire and you don't notice unless you are looking for it.

It doesn't look strange at all with the fender offset too? Maybe Ill try that and see how I feel about it.

 

[Watasha]

Hey Reverb, I've been in the engine this week checking it out for damage or anything and to me it seems like everything is in order, I need a new rocker gasket though.

 

[Watasha]

Very good!! I like that!

you have a proper man cave going on in there too!

Ha thanks man, many years of garage sales have filled my house with cool stuff

 

[takin-care-of-business]

nice and clean on the top end!

I haven't cracked open one that clean in a looooong time. good find!

 

[WornOutOldMan]

That's an awesome find! Love the leaf and ballin' etchings!

 

[Jeff L]

Thats cool.Looked good in white too.....JMO Need a little rake or front cut down some to level it out.

 

[Watasha]

I like that 70s stance, I'm not changin' that at all. I know a lot of dudes don't like that, but a lot of dudes aren't gonna be ridin' my bike so it don't matter much to me