Welcome Rockers & Hooligans!
SUPPORTERS OF THE CLASSIC BRIT IRON IN:
USA - UK - CANADA - FRANCE - GERMANY -
NORWAY - BELGIUM - AUSTRALIA - NEW ZEALAND - DENMARK - ITALY
Every now and then a bike appears that truly shows the
dedication to detail and loving care that goes into a classic rebuild,
this months BOTM is just such a bike - lovingly restored in a
ground-up, no expense spared restoration to look like a period peice -
enjoy...
BIR Bike of the Month: Alex Sohn's 1960 BSA C15
I purchased this motorcycle at the Las Vegas auction in 2003 for 10,000
dollars but soon found that the engine was quiet and smooth running
with easy starting and no leaks...
Before
...I therefore sent the bike bike to Sammy Miller in england
to rectify the situation.
Sammy Miller, seen here with another Classic
Sammy replicated the period flattracker look I wanted to
emulate with new paint patinated to look used and vintage leather for
the custom seat. He also hand-fabricated the nutley hardtail and
replica flat-track handlebars. To rectify the easy starting situation,
I had an oversized carburettor and exact replica of a fairbanks-morse
magneto installed. The crowning touch was the installation of cracked
tank badges and painted-on rust spots on the tank.
Once I the bike was shipped back, I carefully applied a coat
of patina and was quite pleased to find that the bike was now very
difficult to start, noisy, would not idle and occasionally would spit
flames from its exhaust. I was quite pleased until I noticed that it
was still not leaking oil, so I had a period PBR can installed to look
like a catch bottle, though it is in fact a cleverly disguised leak
replicator that places about 1 oz of oil on the ground every hour.
Vintage motor oil was also obtained and rubbed on the underneath of the
engine and rear drive chain.
I'm more than pleased with the transformation and I hope you
will agree this fine British machine is now looking as it should.
I believe it is currently valued somewhere in the
neighborhood of $500.
After
I'm more than pleased with the transformation and I hope you
will agree this fine british machine is finally correct.
I believe it is currently valued somewhere in the region of
$500!
Unlike many classic
machines that are kept in museum-like conditions, Alex's masterpiece
can frequently be found getting down and dirty!
Alex Sohn
Beezalex
