A new addition to the stable

Having had an unexpected Ebay success in selling my old damaged Landie I had some free funds to put in the bank of old motorcycles. Getting older I am discovering the joys of smaller lighter machines. This little beastie caught my eye on Ebay. I auction sniped it at £1500 and got it for £1295.

It is a 1969 American spec BSA B25 Starfire. It has a hot high compression 250cc engine. Apart from the split fork gaiters (he supplied some new ones) and a non-functioning stop light everything seemed to work fine. The cosmetics are a bit tired.

When I picked the bike up the guy selling it very obligingly started it for me (I was later to learn why). Riding it home it took a bit of getting used to the down for down and up for up gear change. I quickly realised the little machine was enormous fun. The engine pulled like stink and would rev up to about 8k. The front twin leading shoe brake (as fitted to Bonnevilles of the era) was a real stopper. The gearing is pretty low so really a machine for lanes, B roads and byways. Perfect for where I live. It would be good in the city too. Suspension is very good and handling on the knobbly tyres was surprisingly good. Oh and a lovely rorty noise from that high level exhaust.

Having ridden it home the next day was fettling time. I put the new fork gaiters on and polished it up a bit. I then thought I would start it and tune the tickover. Trying to kick it over I had to battle with a slightly slipping clutch, a wobbly kickstart and a fearsome ankle breaking kick back. After quite a few wary nervous lunges I was overcome with exhaustion and had to go and have a lie down, thinking 'Oh dear, big mistake, I am too old for this'. After an hour thinking about the problem I thought easy thing to fix is the wobbly kick start. Off to the bike shop in Tunbridge Wells on the friendly non leg breaking James to buy a new cotter pin. With a nice firm kick start I tried a new technique. Get astride the machine, flood carb, close air lever, left foot on left footrest  and give kick start a firm jab with ball of right foot toes instead of using my instep. The slippy clutch was still a bit of a problem but after about the 3rd kick it sprung into life. I shall order some new plates and springs, hopefully that will cure the clutch slip. It doesn't seem to slip in riding only when trying to kick it over that fearsome compression. It really needs a decompressor. At least I am now able to start it without breaking a leg or dying of exhaustion and it now ticks over nicely.

Might try and do a bit of green lane riding on it. Whilst not being a competitive off roader it should be quite good for fun off road riding. Maybe there is a local club.

WDMCC Summer Jolly 2015

Well on the hottest day of the year we all managed to get out on our motorcycles for a visit to the Historic Dockyard at Chatham. Writing from memory, Niall & Liz were on their nearly new Ducati Multistrada, Paul on his big BMW RT tourer, Sheryl on her Honda NC, Chris on his new lightweight Yamaha street bike, Neil on his Triton (travelled the furthest from Witney), Sally on her Hinckley Triumph Bonneville, Richard (taking the photo) on his new Triumph Tiger 1050, Mike on his Honda Deauville and Jo and I on our Triumph Tiger 800.

The dockyard is a great place to visit. We took in a 1950's sub, HMS Ocelot, a wartime destroyer HMS Cavalier, a relic of Victorian gunboat diplomacy HMS Gannet and the Ropery. The Ropery against expectations was very interesting. The lady guide made the visit very memorable with her 1850's ropemaker persona that she adopted. James asking on the submarine "I wonder what they did for entertainment'" drew many laughs and lewd remarks!

After the visit we rode back to Blackham for a garden supper. It was a lovely warm evening and tucking into Jo's excellent food and sinking a polypin of Larkin's excellent ale kept us convivial and merry until at least midnight.

I got Neil to kick over my AJS. I have always thought it heavy to kick over and this might be the reason for what I think is a lack of power. He thought the engine spun easily and the compression is good. He thought it might be the pattern silencer.

Much to Jo's disgust I got my usual longing for a smoke after I have had a lot to drink. I fished the old pipe out and filled it with some rather dry but fragrant baccy. In the morning I knocked up a fry up and the weather was still good and we had breakfast in the garden.

James Cadet review

Not having enough to do in the winter one tends to gravitate towards internet surfing. On impulse I purchased the James from a little motorcycle shop in Croyden. The guy delivered it for me.

I had some fairly fond memories of owning a Francis-Barnett in my early impoverished twenties. I thought the little James would be an interesting and different addition to the stable.

There were some fairly minor issues to sort before it could go for its MoT. The centre stand was fractured and broken. After several attempts with my arc welder I think I have put enough new metal on it for it to work without breaking again. I have also ordered a push bike prop stand to fit on it because the centre stand is a bit of heave, even though it is a light bike. The lights also needed a bit of work. I have fixed them up so that I can use a 6v battery wired in with a rectifier if I want or just run it with direct lights as intended. The alternator is not quite strong enough to charge the battery when the lights are on, so after time the battery will discharge. Having the switchable battery option makes the bike more MoT friendly. New chains and rear sprocket and that was about it.

So what is it? A 1965 James Cadet 150cc 2-stroke. It is fitted with an AMC engine. Chain primary drive, 3 speed gearbox, direct lights (they work when the engine is running). Quite decent finish but the wheels are painted silver rather than chromed and the exhaust system is getting a bit tired.

Starting. Normally very easy. Tickle the carb if cold and usually first or second kick fires it up. It is very easy and light to kick over.

Riding. The riding position is standard 'tourer Brit'. A nice low seat height lets me plant my 29" inside leg legs firmly on the ground. The handlebars are quite narrow. The clutch is a tad heavy for such a small machine but not unpleasantly so. On the move the gears engage well, occasionally a false neutral can be found between 2nd and 3rd. The drum brakes are quite effective and can bring the bike sharply to a halt if both are used. The centre stand does ground sometimes when cornering enthusiastically, this might become a bit of problem 2 up with the suspension compressed more. The handling is pretty good and one feels one can chuck the little bike around with confidence. The suspension is a bit rudimentary but generally copes pretty well. Over 45mph some vibration can be felt through the handlebars. The bike cruises easily between 45 and 50mph with about 60mph being its top speed. On hills I would wish for a 4 speed gearbox. The gap between 2nd and 3rd is a bit too big and 1st is a little too high for the power available.

Pros. The bike is very light and easy to ride. Easy starting make it a delight to use for local trips to the shops etc. Excellent economy. I haven't measured it but I must be getting at least 80mpg.

Cons. The bike would benefit from a 4 speed box. The lights and horn are all a bit weedy especially for unlit country roads. There is no toolbox. With a 2 stroke you need to carry some oil to mix with the petrol, a basic tool kit including a plug spanner and a spare plug. A whiskered plug can leave you stranded if you can't remove it. I have bought a small topbox to carry these items in as well as shopping. There is no reserve tap so you need to keep an eye on the petrol in the tank. The bike does need a prop stand because the centre stand is heavy to get the bike on and off. There is no obvious place to fit a propstand on the near side. I am hoping that a bicycle propstand clipped to the off side passenger footrest tube will do the job.

Spares: Consumables are fairly easy to source. I think spares for the AMC engine might be tricky but I haven't tried yet. These little bikes are not as well catered for as the bigger 4 stroke British bikes.

In conclusion a very user friendly little bike that is great for short journeys. Most of the shortcomings (except the 3 speed box) can be addressed with a few owner modifications. Particularly good for the older motorcyclist who does not want to be heaving too much heavy metal around any more.