Cleaning frame today , just maybe I’ll get some shocks today ! It has the possibility of rolling by morning. Stopping by Tuesday. Tank & seat by Wednesday. Image in my head , becoming clearer , even after a simple green bath  that I thought would leave the bike smelling like a urinal cake , nope she still fills the garage with her special smell of vintage motorcycles. Almost same smell as a motorcycle museum. My guitar room smells just like the guitar shop downtown. Vintage & expensive woods has a very special smell.

So Ruttly , Your working on restoring an old BSA .

You mention the term "TT" makes me remember an old Honda 350 twin I had years ago that I wanted to put "TT-Pipes" on.    The curve of the TT's makes me grin !  

is yours the 500 or the 650cc ?

MM , I used to really like the chrome TT pipes on the old CB450s and then later with the CB360 they had a 2 into 1 with TT pipes , ol skool. They were early street trackers. All of the 70s bikes is where I get my influences from the Savage tracker was to replace the BSA for a street bike like the SR500 and the Sportster did. They all are emulating Flat trackers either by oem design or mine , I don’t know how to stop , fevers a raging !

Todays rant. I’ve been seeing a modern electronic ignition for the BSA singles but I think it’s for street versions with lights with a full stator. The MX model only has a partial stator. About 1/3 on as compared to a full stator. Less weight and less magnetic drag with the 3 volt MX ignition. But like I said she is very primitive and still uses ignition points. I know I could probably adapt an electronic ignition to it from like a lawn mower or weed whipper. I would rather the points system. The rotor is the same rotor only the stator is different making 3 to 4 volts , after that there is only points , condenser , coil and a kill switch. Did some digging the hot set up was a Mallory condenser from a hot rod ignition( huge brass cased condenser ) and an Accel solid core spark plug wire with silicone plug cap. Did more digging found both condenser and plug wire with cap and a new set of oem points. Going back to school here , setting points and timing , might have to make a static timing light to help indicate the points opening for static timing , then when it’s running set timing with a timing light. I still have timing lights , dwell meters , vacuum gauges for the ol skool stuff. Speaking of dwell the MX model uses a different mechanic advance unit than the street models , street uses a 12 degree advance unit while the MX uses a 5 degree. Also the 5 degree unit has been advanced to full advance and welded in that position. Flat track wfo slow wfo slow wfo slow , so this gives me instant advance and instant and crazy throttle response. I never lost a drag race on that bike it beat Honda 500 , Yamaha SR/XT/TT , Suzuki 370 and give the twins a bad time too. I get to use my forgotten skills  for points & timing. Can’t wait to see a big fat purple spark !

She is a fair weather bike not for riding in the rain , unless you enjoy the electric chair ! Yeah once your both good a wet , if your left knee gets anywhere near the spark plug wire your still safe , till you rev up gettin ready for a 5000 rpm shift from 3rd to 4th and your fingers reach for the clutch lever

BAM you just provided the ground to the positive ground system , you are officially lit up. The smell of burning flesh and hair lingers in your helmet. Almost enough to make you drop the bike. Your fairly well insulated by the rubber pegs and grips in the rain , but go ahead touch the clutch , I dare ya

I agree , the hei was the best thing to happen since rubber tires. But this is no girly man bike with a rev limiter , this will rev till the valve float , straighten out you elbows and make your as$ cheeks pinch the seat cover , hanging on for life. I wouldn’t want to change a thing. I used to keep half of a broken points file in my wallet.

A B50 MX stock about 310 lbs , not exactly light. If I had to guess mine is right about 300 lbs still heavy in the flat track realm. I’m not one for lightening everything it has to be tough & durable. Old vintage stuff is
different not as refined as modern singles all those valves and counter balancers with electronic ignitions of course they are faster , smoother. The   power delivery is much less refined , much more primitive more like riding a worn out carnival ride. Scary at times , hella fun , can’t wait for it to scare the hell out of me.
Again !