Owner’s Club of Owner’s Club of Owner’s Club of

July 2012

Established 1978

Southern CaliforniaSouthern CaliforniaSouthern California

Nice Turn Out For The Frazier Park Ride

Monthly Journal

The Piled Arms is a publication of The BSA

Owner’s Club of Southern California.

You can find us on the web at:

www.bsaocsc.org

We are a member driven publication and rely

solely on your participation. Technical articles,

photos and “Member Experiences” are essential

Burt Barrett (661) 832-6109…..…….….…………....President

Steve Ortiz (951) 245-5287………….Membership/Secretary

Barry Sulkin (310) 398-6406……………...…………..Treasurer

Barbara Barrett (661) 832-6109……………..Events/Director

Clive Brooks (714) 771-2534……Piled Arms Editor/Director

Craig Rich (562) 868-9389 ……….………………….….Director

Jody Nicholas (714) 730-9257...….……………….…...Director

Piled Arms Production Staff

Clive Brooks (714) 771-2534…clive54bsa@aol.com....Editor; Contributing Members and Named Sources

The Piled Arms, 820 South Esplanade St. Orange, Ca. 92869

Please submit your articles by E-Mail or direct mail.

Deadline for submissions is the 8th of each month.

Members may place Non Commercial “4-Sale” or “Want” Ads in the Piled Arms Free for 90 days, without renewal.

Contact Editor for “Commercial Ad” rates and information.

Webmaster ....Jill Mushaney…..webmaster@bsaocsc.org

Club Librarian….John Gardner….310-920-3393

BSAOCSC Regalia… Randy Ressell….714-448-1179

Front Cover Photo Submitted by; Steve Ortiz Rear cover photo submitted by; “Old Ed “Meagor

Meet Our Directors

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President’s Page ——--by Burt Barrett——-

TOOL KIT FOR RIDES

As everyone knows, British Motorcycles require some mainte-

nance. I always try to take some tools and spares with me when

I ride any distance away from the shop. Lately my tool kit/spares stash has proved deficient. I have

experimented with several different types of kits, with varying

results. My last one was a zippered tool pouch, made from fab-

ric, and having some stiffening plastic inside. Well, the darned

thing rattled, and some of the sharper instruments wore holes on

the ends of the pouch, causing at least one lost tool. At the Mid

State ride, Jim Myers needed some fresh plugs for his Norton. I

always carry spares, however mine had rattled around so long

that the threads were flattened, and quite unusable. When I returned home I began look-

ing for a suitable tool roll. I found one at

Harbor Freight, however that one proved

too thick. Ebay provided a really nice can-

vas one for about $20, including shipping.

(See photo) Since it has numerous pock-

ets, and is secured with a strap, it can’t

rattle and make holes in the roll.

After thinking about what I should

carry, I decided on the following: an SAE

wrench set (cheap Harbor Freight) with

duplicates in 7/16", and 1/2". One 1/4

Whitworth wrench, for the fuel connec-

tions at the bottom of concentric carbs.

Screwdrivers, blade, small and large,

and Phillips head. Two sets of pliers,

one conventional, one needle

nose. Wire Stripper/Crimper pliers, and

several crimp on connectors, clutch ca-

ble saver, all in a zip lock pouch, and a

small amount of wire. I also carry a spare wire with ends already made up for Boyer

equipped machines, as the wire tends to break at the coil connection. Spark plug socket,

extension, and ratchet, and of course new spark-plug.

I kept these in their box, and placed each box in a small compartment. On Boyer

equipped machines the coils occasionally fail, so I carry a spare, which is also in the

tool roll. I think I have a spare black control box which will go in there too. The tool

roll rolls up nicely and is secured with straps, and will fit in my saddle bags. Good In-

surance.

Burt Barrett

CHECK YOUR MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL DATE (see front of envelope)

MAIL CHECK OR MONEY ORDER FOR $25.00 U.S. ($40.00 Overseas)

Make Checks Payable To: BSAOC/SC

Mail To:

BSAOC/SC, 11125 Westwood Blvd, Culver City, CA 90230

Editors Page:- Oilyleaks by Clive Brooks

4

My Fellow Enthusiasts… the annual Frazier Park ride has come

and gone, I’ve always enjoyed this ride and this year, in a ride that

can sometimes be pretty warm, the temperature was perfect. I

doubt that it got over 70°, with clear skies and a good breeze.

About 26 riders showed up, of which about 20 were Classic Brit-

ish. Barry Sulkin kindly drove the Chase vehicle, which was hap-

pily not needed. Member Jim Meyer’s brother-in-law Tim put on

a great lunch at Harrington’s Ranch, our new lunch stop for the

last 3 years. …The “Quote Of The Day” from The Frazier Park

ride: "We can't have any squirreliness in the rear" by John Gardner

We have 3 Club events coming up in July, 1 – The Ojai Loop Street Ride, 2 – Our

annual A.G.M at Michael Harper-Smith’s house in Tarzana, 3 – The Rim of the World

Ride, please check the detail on our events calendar on page 17. Also note the changes to

the Malibu Mtn Ride on Aug 26th. Please try to attend the AGM, some officers are up for

election and we could use some fresh blood and ideas.

At our last directors’ meeting it was decided that the BSAOCSC will give out mem-

bership cards by request only, contact Steve Ortiz 951-245-5287

Once again I urge you all to send me your stories, articles, British Bike tech tips,

photos, and commentaries for us all to share, after all this is your newsletter.

Thanks again to those who have already contributed material to the Piled Arms,

and I hope you continue to do so. I desperately need fresh articles to keep this going.

Happy Independence Day Yanks

From all at the “Piled Arms” Production

team

5

Letters to the Editor

I was informed that member #1196 George Garvey of Ojai recently passed away, at

this printing I have no further details. GEORGE GARVEY, 2510 LADERA RANCH

RD. OJAI, CA. 93023 805-646-8714

I am a BSA club member. Earlier this month was the first vintage bike night at the Rock

Inn in Hughes Lake. It was a success for the operators of the "joint" Warren who just

got his 1975 Norton Commando back on the road. He is having another on on Wednes-

day evening, June 6 starting at 6PM to whenever. The first one features bangers and

mash. This one coming up features Shepard's pie and all you can eat spaghetti. The reg-

ular menu is also available.

If you could send this out to the club members maybe there are some others in the area

who might want to stop by. 17539 W Elizabeth Lake Rd, Lake Hughes, CA 93532

(661) 724-1855 South of 138, about 13 miles east of Lancaster

Jonathan Miller 1969 BSA A50 Royal Star - the spiffy blue one!

Dear Clive, I just wanted to thank you and all the other people who wrote such wonder-

ful letters about Keith in your "Piled Arms" June newsletter. Also, a thank you for

everyone who attended his funeral, sent cards, flowers etc. It was a beautiful service and

he would have been very proud that so many people were there. It is very comforting to

know that so many people cared. The store is up for sale, because no one in the family

is able to take over for him. He was "one of a kind", and we miss him very much.

Regards,

Delores Moore and family

PUZZLER ( By BLMS, Originally Printed in PA, Dec ‘87)

Rearrange the jumbled letters below, to find the old addresses of a dozen once well

known British motor-cycle companies. To give you a clue; the first three are street

addresses and the remainder are the names of towns or city districts, Answers next

issue.

I. DUMP ASTOR DEAL 2. DRAM YOUR OAR

3. REDIRECT STABBER EG 4. SLO LEAKY

5. DIRECT DH 6. NOTCH LE CAKE

7. ELLEN GHAR 8. GAVE TENSE

9. NED RIME I0. HENDY RESULT

6

Frazier Park Ride Photos

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More Frazier Park Photos

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10

The subject of this month's feature, is usually described as a Triumph, and cer-

tainly that's what the writing on the tank says. However a closer look at both the power

unit and the frame will show that it has the inclined cylinders and the double down-

tube front frame, that reveal it's true origin to be the B.S.A. A75 Rocket Three rather

than the Triumph Tl50 Trident! In fact the original design, or more correctly, the re-

styling effort, was commissioned by B.S.A. around l970, from Craig Vetter. Yes, that

one, the U.S. fairing guy.

One can guess at the reasons for the commission, which probably relates to the

whole B.S.A./Triumph triple saga; a story of procrastination and missed opportunity.

Briefly stated, the triple was a design exercise in the early sixties, as a stop-gap succes-

sor for the 650 cc twins, that designers Bert Hopwood and Doug Hele felt had already

reached the limit of their capacity and development. The triple would be a 500 cc twin

with an extra cylinder in-between, that could be produced using existing factory ma-

chinery. The ‘paper' design remained just that, as the man in charge was Edward

Turner, who saw no reason to supersede his beloved twin.

Towards the mid-sixties the situation would change dramatically, Turner retired,

and then B.S.A. got wind that Honda wasn't going to be content, with smaller capacity

machines, and was working on a 750 of their own.

Shock! Horror! Consternation, at the B.S.A. boardroom. Turner's successor was

Harry Sturgeon and when he found out that there was a design existing for a 750, he

didn't hesitate, and ordered prototypes be made immediately. They were running in a

modified Bonneville chassis in 1964, there were no major problems, and in this form it

could have been in production in 1965. Unfortunately for B.S.A. there was a disastrous

series of events, that started with the prolonged illness and death of Harry Sturgeon. He

was succeeded by Lionel Josef, who set-up the soon to become infamous, design and

research center at Umberslade Hall, which was entrusted with the final design of the

triples. what eventually emerged from 'Slumberglades' in '68 to barely beat the Honda CB750 to the marketplace, was a 'European' style bike, whose wide slab-sided tank,

big mid-section covers, and deep ray-gun silencers, gave it a chunky, heavy look. Then too, everything it had, the Honda had 'in spades'; four cylinders not three, five speeds

not four, a disc brake not a drum, plus an electric start and a lower price tag! Back now, to Craig Vetter. Presumably the

weeping and wailing of the U.S. sales people was

heard in the U.K. and the go-ahead was given for

the restyling effort. Vetter felt that he knew the

U.S. market and the sort of styling that would sell

(at that time it was the 'Easy Rider' look) and he

also had some ideas of his own about how a bike

should look. Basically he thought that it should be a

simple, functional, machine, with emphasis on the

appearance of a highly visible power unit, and a

'light' look for the front and rear ends. Rider com-

fort required a slimmed-down seat front and re-

duced tank width at the knees, while the noises that

Craig Vetter

X75 Hurricane..by the late Barry Smith from Aug ‘88 P/A

11

finally emerged from the silencers should be recognizable as those of a motorcycle!

Generally I would have to agree, that those objectives make for a worthy set of

aims, although practicality should enter into the equation somewhere. As can be seen

from the pictures, the Ceriani type forks lightened -up the front end, while the fiberglass

combined fuel tank, small skirt and seat base did the same for the rest of the bike. The

three separate pipes and megaphone silencers took care of the noise department, deeper

head finning enhanced the engine's appearance, and the colour scheme was an orangey-

red with a yellow flash stripe that also looked as if it was lighter, than the 'heavy' dark

colours of the standard models.

The Hurricane would not make it into production as a B.S.A. as 1972 was the last

year for the A75. However at the end of that year the X75 Triumph was on display at the

London Motor-cycle Show, and with it's lengthened front forks, tank/seat unit, and three

pipe exhaust, looked much as the Vetter prototype of 1970. Rather interestingly, be-

tween 1970 and 1972 the stock triples had been extensively revamped; with 'skinny' alu-

minium slider forks, slim tapered silencers and light coloured paint schemes that took

pounds off the machines appearance! As a result the Hurricane's differences to the stock

models for l973 were nowhere as great as in 1970.

The X75 was essentially a 'boulevard cruiser' that provided reasonable comfort and

handling for it's rider. It was expensive, listing for 895 pounds in the U.K. about $1,800

at that time. This was substantially more than the Honda CB750, which couldn't have

helped sales too much.

Of course it's main styling features, were at the same time it's main practical limita-

tions; the tiny fuel tank meant that the thirsty three had very little range between gas

stops, and the three separate pipes, which hung-out there more than somewhat meant

that exuberant cornering had to be confined to left hand bends!

It didn't catch-on, it would take high powered, and high priced advertising by the

Japanese, some years later, to convince 'Joe Average' that 'chopper' styling was the

greatest thing since sliced bread, and that he had to have it! The Hurricane was just a

little ahead of it's time!

B.M.L.S.

12

Back in the early seventies, a friend of mine (who I did not meet until later) bought

the Rocket 3. His was Frederick Grue. He was an artist (paintings, mainly oriental

still lives and later some land scape’s) but he had worked for either Honda or Kawa-

saki Racing and painted their race bikes (I remember him mention that he went to

Daytona with them). Well Frederick customized his Rocket 3 and turned it in to a

Café Racer( he told me he used to race up on Mullholland Hwy). He had the frame

nickel plated he replaced the spoke wheels with Morris Mags, Honda 350 Disc

brakes to the front and rear and a Lockheed 50 spoke polished sprocket. He gutted

the speedometer and odometer and replaced it with a road racing tachometer. He re-

placed the original handle bars with Tomaselli clip-ons and one rear view mirror on

the left handle bar. The chrome exhaust was replaced with a road racing baffle (which

he always said sounds like an Offenhauser) ((confirmed by a guy on a BMW at the

Tuluca Loop run who said “this thing sounds like an Offenhauser” )) He also had the

engine tweaked for better performance. He called the bike Thumper. He customized

the paint job himself.

In March 1977 the bike was featured on the front cover and inside of “BIG BIKE”

Magazine (On a dessert looking landscape with a Yellow Honda 400 in the back-

ground) then in April 1977 the bike was featured in “STREET BIKE” Magazine Vol-

ume 3 Number 4. I came to California in 1977 and met Frederick sometime around

1979. He proudly displayed the Bike to and even took me on a short ride in early

1980’s. At some point he moved to Muncie Indiana took the Bike with him but fell

ill. He had tried to sell the Bike to me on many occasions but I did not have the kind

o money he was asking for. Frederick passed away in the 90’S and I was lucky to

buy the bike out of the Estate sale. I brought the bike back to Ca. and after years of

searching found a Brit named John French who was willing to restore the bike in his

spare time ( I really do not know much about mechanics on bikes or I would have

tackled it myself, glad I did not) eight years later and some good money well spent, I

am now able to ride it and I do ride it not just a museum piece. We also replaced the

old manual points with an electronic ignition system and replaced the old braded

brake lines and I added a mirror to the right handle bar. I also had John beef up the

engine a wee bit more. I had the old paint job replaced exactly as it was. I had the

name Thumper painted on the side in honor of my friend Frederick. Other than that

the bike is exactly like Frederick designed it.

I found out that Craig Vetter (who designed the bike) has a Data Base site on-line

which has a picture of the BIG BIKE magazine cover of the bike. I sent him an e-

mail with the history, as I have now given to you, and he replied stating he was won-

dering who owned the bike now, he heard someone was having it restored and he

thought it was the best of the customized ones stating “ I love that one”. In his Data

Base he was able to track 139 of them, and now he found the `140.

Thumper History….BSA Triple by Marianus von Korff

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More of Marianus’s Triple

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Members please be aware that sometime in the next few months

we will be publishing our current Membership Roster, containing

your name, address, phone # and email address. If there is any info

that you DON’T want published please , call or email me . Editor

H.R.H Queen Elizabeth 11 Celebrating her 60 years on

the British throne, taking a spin on a BSA C10 around

the Buckingham Palace Gardens. Note the Royal Helmet

BSAOC / SC members, we are updating our e-mail list in order to

contact you for any last minute changes in our calendar events, so

please contact Steve Ortiz at ; ortizst1@hotmail.com.

16

Club members, “The Piled Arms” is obviously limited to printing

photos, on it’s pages, so, Steve Ortiz has conjured up a “you tube”

website that can show member’s Brit Bike related, home videos. We

have a few up to view currently, and would like more. So if you have

any video and want to share it with our membership please contact

Steve at; ortizst1@hotmail.com, or phone him at …

(951) 245-5287, and he’ll walk you through the “uploading” process.

www.youtube.com/BSAOCSC

FREE ENTRANCE TO:

$$$$$ LONG BEACH SWAP MEET $$$$$

$$$$ IF YOU RIDE YOUR BIKE IN $$$$

Contact: Barry Sulkin, Treasurer, for tickets

310-569-1383, barrysulkin@aol.com

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Free: I have about 10 five drawer filing cabinets to give away. Take one or all

FREE!!! Cabinets are located in Culver City. Call Barry Sulkin 310 569 1383

Members only….For Sale/Wanted

Calendar of Events

17

July 1 (Sun) SCNOC–Wrightwood over the Crest. Meet at Burger Continental, 535 S.

Lake, Pasadena. Ride at 10am, Info: www.socalnorton.com or call Bib at 626-791-0259

July 8 (Sun) * BSAOCSC OJAI LOOP STREET RIDE Meet at the Starbucks Coffee

Shop patio just off of Esplanade Dr. in time to be ready to ride at 10 AM. To get there,

go south on Vineyard Ave. from Hwy 101, turn right on Esplanade Dr, go about 2

blocks and turn right at the 1st stop sign which is just after you pass the patio on the

right. Turn right again and come back to Starbucks parking lot. For more info call AJ

Jim at (805) 485-1688 and Barbara Barrett (661) 703-9249

July 8 (Sun) Vintage Bike O.C. – Monthly meet at Beach Burgers, 19102 Beach Blvd,

Huntington Beach, Ca. 2 – 4pm.

July 15 (Sun) * BSAOCSC 35th ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Doors open at

11:00 am. Meeting begins at 12pm at the home of Michael Harper-Smith 5375 Tampa

Ave, Tarzana, Ca. 91306. There may be a last minute alternate location (MEMBERS

ONLY) Info: Barbara Barrett (661) 703-9249 or Barry Sulkin (310) 398-6406

July 29 (Sun) * BSAOCSC RIM OF THE WORLD RIDE Meet at the Mervyn’s /

Walmart, Parking Lot at 4210, Highland Ave, Highland, Ca, @ 9 AM, Ride at 10

AM. Info: Steve Ortiz (951) 245-5287 or Barbara Barrett (661) 703-9249

July 29 (Sun) Long Beach Motorcycle Swap-meet, Veterans Stadium, Info

www.toppingevents.com

Aug 12 (Sun) * BSAOCSC COOL RIDE meet at 9 AM at Gateway Plaza Shopping

Center, 101 Fwy. at Topanga Cyn. Blvd., ride at 10 AM Info: Barry Sulkin (310) 398-

6406 or Barbara Barrett (661) 703-9249

Aug 11-18 (Sat. – Sat.)*** International Rally Scania, Sweden

August 12 (Sun) SC NOC– Prince of Darkness Ride. Meet in Hollywood, T.B.D. Ride

leaves at 7pm, Mulholland Drive to Toluca Lake. Info- www.socalnorton.com, or call

Bib at 626-791-0259

August 26 (Sun) * BSAOCSC MALIBU MTN “MOVIE MAGIC” RIDE Start at

Freedom Park parking lot, just off Pleasant Valley Rd, on the very west end of the Cam-

arillo Airport property. Be ready to ride at 10 AM with a full tank of gas. Ride is ap-

proximately 35 to 40 miles to Paramount Movie Ranch , where the National Park Ser-

vice, will put on a “Movie Magic” Presentation on how movies have been and still are

being made there. From there the return route is your choice. Freedom Park is south from Hwy 101 on Las Posas Road in Camarillo. Right on Pleas-

ant Valley Road, then straight thru 2 signal intersections, then past the airport to the

west end of the property, then right turn. Info: Jim Holbrook (805) 485-1688

or Barbara Barrett (661) 703-9249

BSA Owners Club of Southern California

Email & Phone Directory

Specialists

Gold Star/Winged Wheel: Dick Newby

No Email (714) 839-7072

**********

Pre Unit Twin: Clive Brooks

Clive54bsa@aol.com (714) 771-2534

**********

Grey Porridge: (-: Position Open :-)

**********

Unit Singles/B50: Mike Johnstone

(562) 631-0788

**********

Rocket III/Trident: Burt Barrett

Triples@bsaocsc.org (661) 832-6109

**********

Triumph/Sidehack: Russ Smith

Triumph@bsaocsc.org (818) 343-8045

**********

BSA Unit Twins: Bill Getty

JRCEngineering@aol.com

**********

Specialty Tool Consultant: Craig Rich

Questions: (562) 868-9389

**********

Please make calls between 9am and 9pm

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BSA Owners Club Regalia

Official BSA owners club “T” Shirt. Comes in Blue, Red, Grey and Black. Large, XL and XXL. Price is $20 for short sleeve and long sleeve $25. BSA Club sweat shirts are available in limited colors and sizes. Price includes shipping and han-dling. Take delivery at a Club gathering and save $6. Sizes and colors are limited, so place your order quickly!

Contact—Randy Ressell: Regalia Coordinator

Hm. (714) 448-1179, E-mail: b2v8384@yahoo.com

Baseball Caps $14 + $6 S & H

Sweatshirts $25 —$28 + $6 S & H

19

Here’s “Old Ed” Meagor in full battle dress at

a July 4th parade last year, getting a 2nd look.