New Bike BSA C15 SS80

steve hughes

steve hughes

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Gents here for your delectation my latest non BM ISA alternative !

Bought it from a private collection , its not run since 1997 when it had a full SRM rebuild and tank and frame repaint. Rims are new.

In keeping with a bike that has stood still for 17 years I'm de gumming the tank and carbs.

It had done 12 miles since 97 and in the last week has totted up a further 110.

Any knowlege or tips on C15 's appreciated , as long as you dont tell me they are crap! There seem to be some good online resources.







 
I'd change the oil as big ends were weak on them.

I used to race a Hagon grass track bike, it had the B25 engine which was highly tuned with CCM 14:1 piston and running on methanol still a piece of shite .... oops:blast :D
 
I've had a couple through my hands, they're OK and of the available brit 250's at the the time they were well capable of holding their own, the engines were a popular starting point for tuners wanting quick (but inevitably fragile) 250.

Your one looks very tidy, just don't thrash it!! ;-)
 
Thanks Tim, needle roller bearings on this one as its the high comp engine , all 17 bhp!
Im stilll running in so as soon as i bought it it had all fluids changed. Then its straight 30's in 200 miles time, then as you suggest regular changes.
 
Weak big end!
Its going to be a money pit and will leave you stranded on the side of the road.
Better sell it to me -- Cheap--
 
Had one for a bit back in 1969/70! Top tip - put a drip tray underneath it! Thanks for the little trip down memory lane.
 
Use the torque but don't "lug" it, don't rev the nuts off it and it'll be fine. A common mod was to replace the 6 volt battery with a 12 volt version and a zenner diode. I think two Honda C50 sized 6volt batteries could be wired in series and fitted the available space. Upgrade all the lamps and you have far better lighting. If you don't intend to ride in the dark not an issue.

I had a B40, basically the same bike but 350cc and low compression, about 7:1 if remember rightly. Did over 30,000 faultless miles on it and even towed a guy home on his dead Honda 750 Four on one occasion when I found him at the side of the road in the middle of the night:D Don't have a clue why I had a suitable length of rope in the old MOD canvas panniers. :)

Fast it wasn't.
 
My first bike was a C15 back in 1977 and it cost me £15

Managed to burn out the exhaust valve and it never used to be happy running in the rain. It went better in the wet with a rubber band to seal the between the distributor cap & body

Basically it was shit
 
So gents a mix of shite, shit weak big end a great candidate to break down at the side of the road.

So enough of the good news!

Wow how happy am I with my new purchase.

Did I mention big ends made of pastry?

Well Im going to ride the bugger and prove you all wrong. It sounds brill compared to my KR1S which is highly strung.

Steve
 
Timolgra said:
Good man :clap

I'd stick a tent on the back, ride it up to Glasgow and go wild camping along the west coast with it:beerjug:
Click to expand...

Fixed it for you Tim....:thumb

Steve, a bit more go than a Tiger Cub (on which the C15 and every subsequent BSA/Triumph unit single was based)
 
Just remember, all the bad thoughts get concentrated over the years, you tend to forget about the miles and miles of happy miles travelled……….









oh just remembered, they were on a Honda
 
Steve, If I am not mistaken I think I saw this bike advetised for sale as a 1959 SS 80. The Sports Star 80 was as far as I recall not introduced until 1961 as a high compression C15.It would also have had chromium plated mudguards as standard.
 
Well spotted Edward Black mudguards on 1961 as this is a 1961 ( the owner got confused with his other 1959 BSA this will have been the ad you saw) this is a 61 worst luck as i need an annual MOT,

Chrome from 1962.

Yes it has the roller big end.

The manuals are quite confusing for example the main jet , if you use C15 settings pilot , main and needle are wrong!

Steve
 
steve hughes said:
Well spotted Edward Black mudguards on 1961 as this is a 1961 ( the owner got confused with his other 1959 BSA this will have been the ad you saw) this is a 61 worst luck as i need an annual MOT,

Chrome from 1962.

Yes it has the roller big end.

The manuals are quite confusing for example the main jet , if you use C15 settings pilot , main and needle are wrong!

Steve
Click to expand...
Steve, the cam,valves and valve springs are different to the Ci5. The carb is also larger, a 1 inch 376 instead of a 3/8 375 0n a C15. The figures I have for an SS 80 1961 (62 on slightly different) are main jet 180, pilot 25, slide 3 1/2, needle third groove from the top and needle jet .106. I hope this is of help to you. A very nice little bike you have there. It should be fine, they are not nearly as bad as some say. I am old enough to have been there and riding when these were new and am still an avid BSA fan and owner. The 250s of the day were thrashed without mercy when we got hold of them, none were designed for the hidings they were given. Sensibly used they are OK.
 
Don't listen to the naysayers.

As the previous owner proved, these bikes are ultra reliable, as long as you never use them. Just look:
Bike is over 45 years old and has never had a spanner on it!
Myke
 
I had four C15s back in the day, the first one being the SS80 which was dragged out of the pile of shite round the back of Len Bornes in Exeter. The big end was knackered (don't know if it was a roller bearing) but managed to find a new crank with an alpha big end. Once back on the road the bike did many miles but required very regular maintenance as both the primary chain case and gearbox leaked oil almost as fast as you could pour it in!
 
Timolgra said:
I used to race a Hagon grass track bike, it had the B25 engine which was highly tuned with CCM 14:1 piston and running on methanol still a piece of shite .... oops:blast :D
Click to expand...

Saying that, I do remember Clayton Williams won the British 250 class on a very quick BSA :beerjug:

Grasstrack_book_David_perry_419.jpg
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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