BSA B31 / B33 / B32 / B34 — Example photo: Yesterdays Antique Motorcycles, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

Have this bike? Send a photo or the manual's service chart

BSA · British pre-unit single, telescopic fork (1946-1966)

B31 / B33 / B32 / B34

Library entry covers 1945-1960

26 factory 68 guideline

Published source

BSA B31/B32/B33/B34 Instruction Manual (1946-1955), Periodical Maintenance (manual p.10-11), OCR on ManualsLib

Factory owner's handbook. Covers 1946-1955.

94 items for a 1960 model, grouped by interval the way a factory chart is laid out.

How this bike is built (what the schedule is based on)

Engine cycle: Four-stroke
Engine lubrication: Dry sump (separate oil tank)
Oil filtration: Mesh screens / strainers only
Valve gear: Overhead valve, pushrods, adjustable tappets
Ignition: Magneto (incl. magdyno, flywheel magneto)
Charging: DC generator with regulator
Battery: Wet cell (flooded lead-acid, needs topping up)
Fuel system: Single carburetor
Cooling: Air / oil cooled
Primary drive: Chain in oil-bath case with its own oil
Gearbox oil: Separate gearbox oil
Clutch control: Hand lever, cable
Final drive: Chain
Front suspension: Telescopic fork
Rear suspension: Swingarm, twin shocks
Front brake: Drum (or band / stirrup)
Rear brake: Drum (or band / belt rim)
Wheels: Spoked, tubed
Sidecar: No sidecar

Maintenance schedule

1960 BSA B31 / B33 / B32 / B34

On the road: every 200 mi

1 item

Check engine oil level

Pre-ride / on the road

Guideline

Each fuel stop on old machines. Dry sump: check the tank hot, engine idling or just stopped, per your manual.

On the road: every 300 mi

3 items

Check lights, horn, brake light switches

Pre-ride / on the road

Guideline
Check tire pressures

Pre-ride / on the road

Guideline
Lubricate drive chain

Pre-ride / on the road

Guideline

Lube warm, ideally at the end of the riding day so it soaks in overnight. Sooner after rain.

On the road: every 500 mi

1 item

Walk-around: check nuts and bolts for vibration loosening

Pre-ride / on the road

Guideline

Old machines shake things loose: exhaust nuts, mudguard stays, footrests, tank mounts, battery strap.

On the road: every 600 mi

1 item

Check chain slack and rear wheel alignment

Pre-ride / on the road

Guideline

On the road: every 1,000 mi

1 item

Check road kit: plugs, points file, master link, tube patches, wire, tape

Pre-ride / on the road

Guideline

Every 1,000 mi or 1 month

1 item

Check battery electrolyte, top up with distilled water

Ignition and electrics

Guideline

Wet-cell batteries on old machines need regular topping up, more in hot weather.

Every 1,000 mi or 6 months

8 items

Inspect, clean and gap spark plugs

Engine

Guideline
Check gearbox oil level

Primary and gearbox

Guideline
Grease swingarm pivot

Rear suspension and frame

Guideline
Adjust front drum brake

Brakes

Guideline
Adjust rear drum brake and rod / cable linkage

Brakes

Guideline
Check spoke tension and wheel true

Wheels and tires

Guideline
Inspect tire tread, sidewalls and date codes

Wheels and tires

Guideline
Lubricate control cables and lever pivots

Controls and cables

Guideline

Every 1,000 mi

6 items

Hubs: grease through nipple in hub center

Engine

Factory

Factory: Every 1,000 miles; 3-4 strokes of grease gun, do not over-lubricate.
Tappets

Engine

Factory

Factory: As printed: EVERY 1,000 MILES: check and adjust when engine is cold (page 25; Gold Star page 50) (reader's summary; OCR-garbled)
Clutch control arm

Primary and gearbox

Factory

Factory: As printed: EVERY 1,000 MILES: a few strokes of grease; adjust if play excessive (page 28) (reader's summary; OCR-garbled)
Chains (check slack)

Final drive

Factory

Factory: As printed: EVERY 1,000 MILES: Check that there is not more than half-an-inch up-and-down movement (primary chain; rear chain at its center); adjust (pages 30-32)
Steering Head (check)

Front end

Factory

Factory: As printed: EVERY 1,000 MILES: Lift machine and place a box under the crankcase so that front wheel is clear of the ground. (rest of item OCR-garbled)
Front brake nipple and oil points

Brakes

Factory

Factory: As printed: EVERY 1,000 MILES: a few drops of oil (reader's summary; OCR-garbled)

Every 1,500 mi or 6 months

2 items

Clean / inspect air filter

Fuel and air

Guideline

Mesh or oiled foam: clean and re-oil. Paper: blow out or replace. Some very early machines have no filter at all.
Clean drive chain thoroughly (remove and soak, re-lube)

Final drive

Guideline

Non O-ring chains on old machines: remove, clean, soak in hot chain grease or lube, refit with the master link clip closed end leading.

Every 1,500 mi or 12 months

1 item

Adjust clutch free play, lubricate cable and lever pivot

Primary and gearbox

Guideline

Every 2,000 mi or 12 months

1 item

Check / adjust primary chain

Primary and gearbox

Guideline

Every 2,000 mi

9 items

Change engine oil

Engine

Factory

Manual: Oil tank: drain out old oil and refill. Factory: Drain warm. New machines: also drain after first 500 and 1,000 miles.
Clean oil strainers / mesh screens

Engine

Factory

Manual: Oil pump mesh screen filter: wash in paraffin. Factory: Remove plate below oil pump, wash and dry mesh screen.
Magdyno Fixing

Engine

Factory

Factory: As printed: EVERY 2,000 MILES: adjust the strap so the oil seal is maintained (reader's summary)
Generator and Magneto

Ignition and electrics

Factory

Factory: As printed: EVERY 2,000 MILES: refer to the Electrical Section, pages 63 and 64
Change gearbox oil

Primary and gearbox

Factory

Manual: Gearbox: drain, flush and refill to filler plug level. Factory: New machines: also drain after first 500 miles.
Change primary chaincase oil

Primary and gearbox

Factory

Manual: Primary chain oilbath: drain and refill. Factory: Refill to level plug behind brake pedal.
Chains (remove, clean, grease)

Final drive

Factory

Factory: As printed: EVERY 2,000 MILES: remove, clean in gas or paraffin, warm in a mixture of grease and graphite, refit (reader's summary)
Central Stand Fulcrum

Rear suspension and frame

Factory

Factory: As printed: EVERY 2,000 MILES: give one or two strokes of grease (reader's summary)
Brake Fulcrum Pin

Brakes

Factory

Factory: As printed: EVERY 2,000 MILES: check the tightness of the locking nut (reader's summary)

Every 2,500 mi or 12 months

1 item

Check and adjust valve clearances

Engine

Guideline

Every 3,000 mi or 12 months

15 items

Check engine mounting bolts and plates

Engine

Guideline
Check throttle cable(s) free play and return

Fuel and air

Guideline
Clean fuel tap filter / sediment bowl

Fuel and air

Guideline
Check / set ignition timing

Ignition and electrics

Guideline
Clean and gap contact breaker points, oil cam felt

Ignition and electrics

Guideline
Oil / check generator bearings (where an oiler is fitted)

Ignition and electrics

Guideline
Adjust clutch pushrod / clutch adjuster

Primary and gearbox

Guideline
Check chain guard, chain oiler (if fitted), rear chain case

Final drive

Guideline
Inspect chain and sprockets for wear (measure stretch)

Final drive

Guideline
Check steering damper (friction or hydraulic)

Front end

Guideline
Check steering head bearing adjustment

Front end

Guideline
Inspect fork seals, stanchions and fork boots

Front end

Guideline
Check footrests, pegs, rear brake and gear lever pivots

Rear suspension and frame

Guideline
Grease and check center / side stand and springs

Rear suspension and frame

Guideline
Check wheel bearings for play

Wheels and tires

Guideline

Every 4,000 mi or 12 months

2 items

Replace spark plugs

Engine

Guideline
Lubricate brake cam spindles, check linings and drums

Brakes

Guideline

Every 5,000 mi or 2 years

1 item

Check cylinder head bolt torque

Engine

Guideline

Air-cooled iron and alloy engines can lose head bolt tension; follow your manual's sequence and whether it is done hot or cold.

Every 6,000 mi or 12 months

6 items

Clean carburetor float bowl(s), check float level and jets

Fuel and air

Guideline

Ethanol fuel varnishes old carbs quickly in storage.
Check charging voltage and regulator / cut-out

Ignition and electrics

Guideline
Inspect generator brushes and commutator

Ignition and electrics

Guideline
Check swingarm bushes for play

Rear suspension and frame

Guideline
Inspect rear shocks for leaks and damping

Rear suspension and frame

Guideline
Lubricate speedometer / tachometer cables, check drive

Controls and cables

Guideline

A dry speedo cable whips the needle and eventually kills the instrument.

Every 6,000 mi or 2 years

5 items

Check engine breather and oil return

Engine

Guideline
Lubricate and check automatic advance unit

Ignition and electrics

Guideline
Magneto: clean slip ring and pickup brush, check HT lead

Ignition and electrics

Guideline
Change fork oil

Front end

Guideline

Some early telescopic forks are grease filled or use very small oil quantities. Check your manual.
Repack / replace wheel bearings

Wheels and tires

Guideline

Cup-and-cone and taper roller hubs need periodic repacking and adjustment.

Every 10,000 mi or 2 years

1 item

Compression test (or leak-down)

Engine

Guideline

Every 10,000 mi or 3 years

1 item

Repack / replace steering head bearings

Front end

Guideline

Many old machines use loose balls in cups and cones. Taper roller conversions are common.

Every 10,000 mi

1 item

Replace chain and sprockets (wear based)

Final drive

Guideline

Every 12,000 mi or 3 years

1 item

Replace points and condenser

Ignition and electrics

Guideline

Every 12,000 mi or 4 years

1 item

Decarbonize head, grind / lap valves (top-end decoke)

Engine

Guideline

Period practice. Leaded-era valve seats may need hardened seats for unleaded fuel.

Every 15,000 mi or 5 years

1 item

Inspect clutch plates and springs

Primary and gearbox

Guideline

Every 15,000 mi

1 item

Replace brake linings / skim drums (wear based)

Brakes

Guideline

Every 25,000 mi or 6 years

1 item

Replace swingarm bushes / bearings

Rear suspension and frame

Guideline

Every 25,000 mi or 10 years

1 item

Magneto overhaul / re-magnetize, replace capacitor

Ignition and electrics

Guideline

Weak spark when hot is the classic symptom. Old capacitors fail with age, not miles.

Every 30,000 mi or 6 years

1 item

Rebuild forks: seals, bushes, springs

Front end

Guideline

Every 6 months

1 item

Clean battery terminals, check charge and strap

Ignition and electrics

Guideline

Every 12 months

1 item

Check speedometer / odometer against a known distance

Controls and cables

Guideline

Old speedos drift with tire size and drive wear. Use phone GPS over a measured 10 miles / km.

Every 2 years

3 items

Inspect fuel tank for rust, sealer failure, leaks

Fuel and air

Guideline
Inspect wiring, bullet connectors and ground points

Ignition and electrics

Guideline
Inspect frame, welds and lugs for cracks

Rear suspension and frame

Guideline

Every 4 years

1 item

Replace fuel lines

Fuel and air

Guideline

Old rubber and modern ethanol fuel do not mix well.

Every 6 years

2 items

Replace inner tubes and rim tape with tires

Wheels and tires

Guideline
Replace tires on age (regardless of tread)

Wheels and tires

Guideline

No interval set

11 items

Cleaning

Engine

Factory

Factory: As printed: WEEKLY: Obviously regular and thorough cleaning will keep your machine looking smart
Oil Tank (inspect level)

Engine

Factory

Factory: As printed: WEEKLY: Inspect the level of oil. It should never be allowed to fall below the level marked on the outside of tank.
Battery

Ignition and electrics

Factory

Factory: As printed: WEEKLY: Top-up as often as necessary to maintain level of electrolyte one-quarter inch above top of plates. ALWAYS USE DISTILLED WATER WHEN TOPPING UP.
Gearbox (check oil level)

Primary and gearbox

Factory

Factory: As printed: WEEKLY: [label illegible in OCR] oil level and top up if necessary.
Steering Head (grease)

Front end

Factory

Factory: As printed: WEEKLY: Give two or three strokes of the grease gun.
Rear Suspension (Plunger Type)

Rear suspension and frame

Factory

Factory: As printed: WEEKLY: A few strokes of the grease gun.
Saddle Nose Bolt

Rear suspension and frame

Factory

Factory: As printed: WEEKLY: One or two strokes of the grease gun.
Brake Pedal

Brakes

Factory

Factory: As printed: WEEKLY: Give two or three drops of oil occasionally.
Tires (examine)

Wheels and tires

Factory

Factory: As printed: WEEKLY: Examine carefully for cuts and remove any flints or metallic scraps which may have become embedded in the cover.
Tires (pressures)

Wheels and tires

Factory

Factory: As printed: WEEKLY: Check the pressures with a gauge, and inflate to correct pressure if necessary.
Control Joints and Exposed Cables

Controls and cables

Factory

Factory: As printed: WEEKLY: A few drops of oil.

Guideline lines: Intervals here are general guidelines for the machine's era and layout, compiled for this app. They are not factory manual figures. Check your workshop manual, and edit any interval in the bike's Schedule tab.