Sparkplugs for 1945 BSA B31

I'm looking at putting some new plugs in a 1945 BSA XB31 that I purchased
recently.

The guy that I bought the bike off had a different plug in the spares box to
that in the engine (can't remember exactly what they are off the top of my
head).

If there's anyone out there running a similar bike, I'd be keen to know what
plugs you are using.

Cheers

Trent Corbett

 

Thus spake Trent Corbett unto the assembled multitudes:

Spark plugs? I thought they just needed a bit of old wire and a couple of
fag papers.

 

1st thing you need with a bike like this is the right spares book for
the model. You'll need this for ordering things and it makes life a lot
easier. It should also tell you things like what plugs it needs. Try
Draganfly (google for phone numbers) on the south coast or C&D Autos in
Brum for a parts book or for advice on what plug you need. There are
some catalogues downloadable in PDF form on the Draganfly site
http://www.draganfly.co.uk/catal.html

Secondly, this forum ain't much help for Brit bikes. The regulars here
seem to be well into their Japs and Italians and go a bit funny when
British stuff is mentioned. Try http://piled-arms.com/ or
http://forum.britbike.com/ for Beeza and other Brit knowledge

 

What's an XB31? I've heard of a B31 (which probably would have been
mid-1945 on). Is XB31 a wartime model?

If you go and look at an original parts book it'll probably tell you to
use a KLG FE75, or something equally unhelpful. According to this 1968
NGK book I just happen to have handy (as one does), a B7-H is the
correct plug for not only the B31 but quite a large swathe of the BSA
range. Do they still make those? I don't know, I run a 1951 James
Superlux, that runs on any plug that will fit in the head.

 

It's not so much we go a bit funny, it's more of the memory effect.
Unlike NiCads, the memory of ShiteOldBritters leaves a scar.

 

Cheers for the tips gents.

I didn't realise that this was mainly a Jappa/Italian bike forum - first
time poster and all that... (though I do have an '85 Suzuki TF185 that I'm
tidying up).

The bike is an B31, the XB31 just denotes it as a 1945-47 based on its
engine no.

Thanks for the tip on the draganfly site - it's one I haven't come across.
As far as using old wire and fag paper goes, well, I'm a non smoker so don't
have the parts.

My plan was to get the same as what's on my bike, or failing that an
equivalent to KLG 70 plugs (I've got a poster from the 50's advertising them
as the plug for B31's.

The problem I have is that when the bike was restored 7 years ago, the
engine wasn't done to spec - the restorer couldn't get any BSA valves, so
used Triumph valves instead. I'm just keen to find out if there's anyone out
there looking in on this group who rides a B31, to see what plugs they are
using, and what they have found doesn't work too well.

TC

 

I like Brit Iron, although I don't have particularly fond memories of the
BSA I had, it's the "only classic bike is a British bike" mentality that
gets on my wick.

 

It isn't!
But most of the knowledge comes from people with Jap or Italian bikes.
There are people with ancient British iron but they tend to lurk right out
at the back in the far corner of the car park LOL.
Takes them a while to get round to newsgroups.

HTH

OddballDave

 

me too. and the silly prices that tend to result for anything British, even
if it was a heap when new and is worse now. Things such as the BSA C15
spring to mind...

Also, anything that was good when new (Manx norton, goldstars, Vincents that
aren't fireflies) are sold for silly money, really, even if in poor nick.

 

Coo. me parents knew him, I reckon. They were both much into bikes about
40-50 years ago.

can't help about the info on Beezers, though. Me dad was a Norton man and
me mum had Vincents... In due course, they built a norton-vincent trials
outfit which was named base don intials - Father's name starts with D and
mother's with M, so it was known as the D.A.M.N. Vincent.

some wag, on observing this, remarked along the lines of "trust you pair...
I suppose yer next bike will be a bloody BSA".

 

I don't lurk at the back of the pub car park, I go down the road apiece to
hide the oil leaks in case I get blamed for someone sliding down the road on
their arse! I've no problems with people taking the piss out of my SOBBs
and when I started there were no Jap bikes around (mores the pity).
As you say it's what you grow up with but compared to modern jap bikes
you can't say SOBBs were or are reliable but for me they still hold a
certain charm. To me, Italian bikes are the ones with styling, performance
and brakes but now I think Jap bikes excel in every respect, especially
reliability so what more can you say?
I usually lurk and have a good laugh (good newsgroup this) so thanks for
suffering my twopenn'orth.

Martin

 

Thus spake Austin Shackles unto the assembled multitudes:

Aye, it (C15) was, but I had one 31 years ago and it was a strangely
loveable heap. And it sounded like a "proper motorbike". My parents
really hated it ("dirty noisy greasy bloody thing"), which gave it even
more appeal.

 

Policeman stopped me once, out of curiosity I think, when I was
on my C15.

At that stage the engine made some startling noises when it was
switched off.

"... strangled chicken.. " suggested the man in blue.

 

Thus spake Howard unto the assembled multitudes:

Happened to me too, in Lewes late one night. The man in uniform said, "I
could hear you coming from the other side of town!" He was probably
telling the truth. He had a lovely time checking round The Heap, whistling
and making all sorts of sarcastic remarks as he found one fault after
another. Then he told me to "**** off and get it sorted out otherwise I'll
book you next time." I think he was only larging it up to impress the
pretty young WPC who was with him, actually. Happy days.

 

Thus spake unto the assembled multitudes:

Like any old Triumph twins, bits of memory fall off every couple of days,
until eventually you've completely forgotten how bad they were. Happened to
me with a 1973 TR6R.