Noel’s BSA Scout Restoration
Noel’s Restorations
Those of you who did the Sherwood Restorations Classic will have realised that the trusty BSA trike had succumbed to a serious illness. An oil problem which had been apparent since mid-summer and the large cloud and tinkling sound which ensued makes me suspect that a piston skirt is sitting on the sump gauze. Because I have made the decision to make a do or die assault on completing the BSA Scout before next summer the Trike has been laid up for a later date. Not only is the Scout a priority but I have also to build a new canopy for the 1923 Marshall Q Type Steam Roller. If you are interested in more details about this project can I refer you to the October 2011 copy of ‘Vintage Spirit’ magazine.
The Scout is now almost a full time job but after 5 years I can see an end in sight. This has been a complete strip down nut & bolt restoration, the dismantling of which was completed on the very week my son bought the Marshall and hence the amount of time the restoration has been on-going. Although the car was running and complete there was nothing that did not require some attention and which often required the machining or fabrication of new parts. This included considerable machining to restore the universal joints within the front hubs. The chassis has been almost complete for the last 2 years as has the out sourced machining of the components parts of the engine.
I had hoped that I could save a great deal of the body tub but on removing some of the aluminium sheet not only was the floor a complete bodge but most of the Ash frame was rotten at the bottom ends. Do I splice new ash pieces in or replace? I quickly decided that a complete new body tub was the best long term option. The various parts of the old frame have been used as patterns for the new pieces as no drawings exist of detailed frame parts. Incidentally when BSA closed down the factory where cars were made the owners club were offered over 6000 works drawings and these have been recently digitised and made available on a DVD. To cut a long story short this is now complete with new frame, skinned in aluminium and sprayed in as near as possible to the original works colour. New wings have been produced by Vintage Wing & Radiators as the front had been GRP and the rear, once lead loading had been removed, resembled lace curtains. As I write all body parts have been reunited with the chassis. This leaves the winter for engine assembly and fitting, the rewiring of the car and internal trimming.
Oh yes and the small matter of the Marshall canopy! When am I going to get time for THAT ROUTE?
Noel Sabin
Those of you who did the Sherwood Restorations Classic will have realised that the trusty BSA trike had succumbed to a serious illness. An oil problem which had been apparent since mid-summer and the large cloud and tinkling sound which ensued makes me suspect that a piston skirt is sitting on the sump gauze. Because I have made the decision to make a do or die assault on completing the BSA Scout before next summer the Trike has been laid up for a later date. Not only is the Scout a priority but I have also to build a new canopy for the 1923 Marshall Q Type Steam Roller. If you are interested in more details about this project can I refer you to the October 2011 copy of ‘Vintage Spirit’ magazine.
The Scout is now almost a full time job but after 5 years I can see an end in sight. This has been a complete strip down nut & bolt restoration, the dismantling of which was completed on the very week my son bought the Marshall and hence the amount of time the restoration has been on-going. Although the car was running and complete there was nothing that did not require some attention and which often required the machining or fabrication of new parts. This included considerable machining to restore the universal joints within the front hubs. The chassis has been almost complete for the last 2 years as has the out sourced machining of the components parts of the engine.
I had hoped that I could save a great deal of the body tub but on removing some of the aluminium sheet not only was the floor a complete bodge but most of the Ash frame was rotten at the bottom ends. Do I splice new ash pieces in or replace? I quickly decided that a complete new body tub was the best long term option. The various parts of the old frame have been used as patterns for the new pieces as no drawings exist of detailed frame parts. Incidentally when BSA closed down the factory where cars were made the owners club were offered over 6000 works drawings and these have been recently digitised and made available on a DVD. To cut a long story short this is now complete with new frame, skinned in aluminium and sprayed in as near as possible to the original works colour. New wings have been produced by Vintage Wing & Radiators as the front had been GRP and the rear, once lead loading had been removed, resembled lace curtains. As I write all body parts have been reunited with the chassis. This leaves the winter for engine assembly and fitting, the rewiring of the car and internal trimming.
Oh yes and the small matter of the Marshall canopy! When am I going to get time for THAT ROUTE?
Noel Sabin
