Back in the day, I was a mechanic in a BSA Dealership a very large customer brought back his one week old 441victor in to get the kick start pivot shaft replaced it was shirred off flush with the case. I installed the new shaft with him watching me he said the bike was nearly impossible to start. So I turned on the gas tickle the carb. Found top compression stroke pulled compression release advanced it a little all the time sitting on the seat, kicked it through, the motor fired right up my total body weight at the time was 130 lbs . The owner wes over 6ft. And close to 300 lbs. He was not happy but he stepped out side to cool off then returned to ask me to show and explain how to start it again we both learned a lot that day. I leaned never embarrass a really big man and he learned to listen to instruction we became good friends later.
I had 3 BSA Victors back in the day, one round and two square barrel, and I became an expert at starting them. It's all about the piston position and compression release. Rarely did it take more than one kick, even from cold. I removed the front fender and when riding at low speed, I would lift the front wheel over small puddles of water. A bit larger rear sprocket made this smooth and easy to do. I loved those bikes. I installed a fork stiffener, shortened the rear fender six inches, chromed oil tank and made a polished aluminum reinforcement plate for the license and tail-light.
Absolutely superb video. Thanks Larry. Having been through BSAs and Triumphs in the 1970s, I can well see why they couldn't sell these ancient old museum pieces. It's a shame we didn't invest, but the Japanese certainly did and took the market right from under our noses. I currently have a Honda CB919. Push the button and it starts in an instant.
As the owner of five Triumphs, I can attest to the ticklers working brilliantly. And a great anti-theft device too, if you didn't know about it, you could kick forever, lol.
They CAN be started without a compression release if you are 17 years old and have a hilly driveway at your disposal lol. No matter how long it took me to start it, however, the soul of my '68 Shooting Star made it worth it. Keep on ridin, sir!
It was nice to see you start it while sitting rather than standing on it while it's on the side stand. It seems to be the standard way of doing it on the TH-cam vids featuring British bikes that I've seen. I thought the button on the float bowl was just to make sure that the float hadn't stuck to the side of the bowl. That design of the BSA petrol tank and humped seat looks great, even though the seats were hard. Thanks.
So what's going on here? Most people who have difficulty starting a large single are trying to kick the bike through compression. The trick is to get the piston to just before compression and then past top dead centre using the decompression lever. Now when you kick you are past the firing point and the momentum of the heavy flywheel will carry the piston down (what would be the power stroke), up on what would be the exhaust stroke, down to draw fuel in, and up again to compress the fuel. The piston is carried over tdc through the firing point by the momentum of the flywheel and hopefully your leg is well clear.
I had a blue Starfire, and someone added a YZ 450 MX front end, and Acerbis plastics, I paid alot for it, until I could no longer start it, and sold for very little as it was a "Franken-bike"..
Starting cold is easy. When it's hot you may have to open throttle fully to get results. With my valve lifter in I don't get any resistance unless my kick start pinion is jamming due to wear. You need the valve lifter to bump/hill start or your liable to lock the back wheel. Sounds like Larry has not allowed any valve clearance as it's not rattling. That's good practice.
I bought a new BSA B44 in 1969 (reg No' NUJ 15G which I believe ended up in the US), the one with the large Bonneville front brake but was quite disappointed with the performance, it 'took off the line' quite smartly but ran out of 'puff roundabout 80/85mph which I thought for a 'near' 500 was poor and not much more than the frequently 'grenading' C/B25 250's. Traded it in for a Triumph Tiger 100 Daytona.
If it leaks rainwater, it's probably a British sports car. If it drips gasoline on your driveway, it's probably a British motorcycle. The Japanese fixed all that. I still think the British stuff was the sexiest stuff, even if you had to endure the elements and buy cases of paper towels. Nice bike, by the way!
No they were not hard to start the American public did not now the sequence of how to start it mine started on second or third kick in winter you had to have the carburetors adjusted properly B S A WAS ONE OF THE BEST STARTERS OF ALL THE BRITISH BIKES I PUT THOUSANDS OF MILES ON MINE AND EVEN IN THE RAIN WAS TOTALLY RELIABLE THAT BIKE WAS ONE OF THE SWEETEST SMALL BIKES YOU COULD OWN THE AMAL CARBURETOR WAS A SMOOTH RUNNER YOU JUST HAD TO TUNE THEM PROPERLY LEAKS WERE A LITTLE TESTY CELICONE SEALER WAS THE ANSWER BUT ONLY ON THE OUTSIDE EDGE
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He's kicked that ol' beauty so many times the toe of his shoe is worn out from the peg! Awesome video sir! Thank you for this!
Back in the day, I was a mechanic in a BSA Dealership a very large customer brought back his one week old 441victor in to get the kick start pivot shaft replaced it was shirred off flush with the case. I installed the new shaft with him watching me he said the bike was nearly impossible to start. So I turned on the gas tickle the carb. Found top compression stroke pulled compression release advanced it a little all the time sitting on the seat, kicked it through, the motor fired right up my total body weight at the time was 130 lbs . The owner wes over 6ft. And close to 300 lbs. He was not happy but he stepped out side to cool off then returned to ask me to show and explain how to start it again we both learned a lot that day. I leaned never embarrass a really big man and he learned to listen to instruction we became good friends later.
I had 3 BSA Victors back in the day, one round and two square barrel, and I became an expert at starting them. It's all about the piston position and compression release. Rarely did it take more than one kick, even from cold. I removed the front fender and when riding at low speed, I would lift the front wheel over small puddles of water. A bit larger rear sprocket made this smooth and easy to do. I loved those bikes. I installed a fork stiffener, shortened the rear fender six inches, chromed oil tank and made a polished aluminum reinforcement plate for the license and tail-light.
Brings back memories of my 1st bike. The original stump jumper’ 69 Shooting Star. Thanks for the video.
Absolutely superb video. Thanks Larry. Having been through BSAs and Triumphs in the 1970s, I can well see why they couldn't sell these ancient old museum pieces. It's a shame we didn't invest, but the Japanese certainly did and took the market right from under our noses. I currently have a Honda CB919. Push the button and it starts in an instant.
Ah, fantastically done Sir!
As the owner of five Triumphs, I can attest to the ticklers working brilliantly. And a great anti-theft device too, if you didn't know about it, you could kick forever, lol.
Good to see someone who has got to know his machine well and can get it to operate as intended. Well done
Thanks Larry, I'll follow your procedure on my B44 from now on, hope you're still enjoying your BSA B44
They CAN be started without a compression release if you are 17 years old and have a hilly driveway at your disposal lol. No matter how long it took me to start it, however, the soul of my '68 Shooting Star made it worth it. Keep on ridin, sir!
very informative video sir
I follow your instructions for kick start on my b441. Works perfect every time. Thanks for your video.
Nice bike, Mine started on the 101st kick.
I had the 1967 Victor special 441 round barrel I learned the hard way to 🌟 after I figured it out like u 1 2 kick good Luke nice on
It was nice to see you start it while sitting rather than standing on it while it's on the side stand. It seems to be the standard way of doing it on the TH-cam vids featuring British bikes that I've seen. I thought the button on the float bowl was just to make sure that the float hadn't stuck to the side of the bowl. That design of the BSA petrol tank and humped seat looks great, even though the seats were hard. Thanks.
This bike is beautiful. Simply beautiful.
I like your whole set up from wind shield - crash bars -tail rack w/ luggage box. I dig your bike my friend, well done! ,
- très belle machine !
That's a great-looking bike, looks factory-fresh if not better. Doesn't seem to rattle like many of these do.
This is a great example of a versatile 441.
I had 1 ,wend I was 14, 68,model.. did not understand, compression level. I used a rope & a car n a parking lot. Ture storing.,,back n 1975.
So what's going on here?
Most people who have difficulty starting a large single are trying to kick the bike through compression. The trick is to get the piston to just before compression and then past top dead centre using the decompression lever. Now when you kick you are past the firing point and the momentum of the heavy flywheel will carry the piston down (what would be the power stroke), up on what would be the exhaust stroke, down to draw fuel in, and up again to compress the fuel. The piston is carried over tdc through the firing point by the momentum of the flywheel and hopefully your leg is well clear.
Nice.
Wonderfull bike. Congratulations !!!
Nice bike. Enjoy it mate.
sounds very nice! take care.
I had a blue Starfire, and someone added a YZ 450 MX front end, and Acerbis plastics, I paid alot for it, until I could no longer start it, and sold for very little as it was a "Franken-bike"..
Wow like starting a Spitfire!
Turn the front wheel and forks around to get much more solid braking
Perhaps the single most vibratory motorcycle ever invented literally from tick over get one of these at 60 aaaaggghhh!!!!
Why don`t they build these fabulous motorcycles anymore...?
@Marrowbones hope so
Starting cold is easy. When it's hot you may have to open throttle fully to get results. With my valve lifter in I don't get any resistance unless my kick start pinion is jamming due to wear. You need the valve lifter to bump/hill start or your liable to lock the back wheel. Sounds like Larry has not allowed any valve clearance as it's not rattling. That's good practice.
Hogwash.
I bought a new BSA B44 in 1969 (reg No' NUJ 15G which I believe ended up in the US), the one with the large Bonneville front brake but was quite disappointed with the performance, it 'took off the line' quite smartly but ran out of 'puff roundabout 80/85mph which I thought for a 'near' 500 was poor and not much more than the frequently 'grenading' C/B25 250's. Traded it in for a Triumph Tiger 100 Daytona.
That's how I started the starfire. I thought it was the only easy way to start a bigger single.
This is a serious bike NOT to be confused with the Starfire which was a hand grenade
Yeah like you'd know.
i like british bikes but cant stand the gear shift on the right hate it.
If it leaks rainwater, it's probably a British sports car. If it drips gasoline on your driveway, it's probably a British motorcycle. The Japanese fixed all that. I still think the British stuff was the sexiest stuff, even if you had to endure the elements and buy cases of paper towels. Nice bike, by the way!
start 4:25 ;)
I can't drive this bike with the gear shift lever on the right !
it`s not a B anything it`s a big C 15.
Paul J, All these comments on here and you're the only person who thinks it's a 250!
Nothing like a C15. Different bike, different engine. I have the Barracuda. Love it. Great video. Congratulations.
No they were not hard to start the American public did not now the sequence of how to start it mine started on second or third kick in winter you had to have the carburetors adjusted properly B S A WAS ONE OF THE BEST STARTERS OF ALL THE BRITISH BIKES I PUT THOUSANDS OF MILES ON MINE AND EVEN IN THE RAIN WAS TOTALLY RELIABLE THAT BIKE WAS ONE OF THE SWEETEST SMALL BIKES YOU COULD OWN THE AMAL CARBURETOR WAS A SMOOTH RUNNER YOU JUST HAD TO TUNE THEM PROPERLY LEAKS WERE A LITTLE TESTY CELICONE SEALER WAS THE ANSWER BUT ONLY ON THE OUTSIDE EDGE