Even though it’s rusty and is still holding Scottish air inside the wheel is just sliding along the ground now. Likely occurred after using the brake pedal (which by the way is on the left foot and not the right foot like Canadian motorcycles :o) ). My guess is that something has seized in the old drum brakes and so this is a must to repair for the first phase.
Turns out it was 50 years of cleaning required, but removal of the pin was the hard part.
The above was me using my heat gun to help loosen the pin so that I could turn it… still took quite some time and some persuasion to get it moving incrementally until it finally was able to be removed.
After re-assembly the brake drums were properly being expanded to engage and stop the wheel. The pads seemed fine and so just a general clean up so that the bike is workable for now.
Here I am catching up on the bike and the events over July.
I started by stripping down
you can see that I removed the Gas tank, seat and the cover over the Battery compartment. The Gas tank was not fully mounted and was an easy lift off while the battery cover had just the one bolt.
The seat is another story as it certainly had not foam inside and when tilted back and forth it sounded like rust moving back and forth. I was somewhat concerned it was the seat pan, but of course that looked reasonably ok from the bottom. I would have to take the cover off and see what it was like inside.
I was not going to strip it down too much at this point as this was the beginning of my restore and I had at least a rough idea of my plan.
Step 1. I wanted to get the bike engine running as a first step.
Step 2. Remove the drive train (engine) from the frame and then start the methodical restore.
Once the bike was picked up then E received the shipment details. Things were underway
BSA Bike on Boat… Boat on Ocean
Vessel: MSC BHAVYA / V: 07W17 ETS: 05-MAY-25 / Liverpool ETA: 16-MAY-25 / Toronto
Found this site https://www.marinetraffic.com/ and was able to track the ship from LiverPool. It docked in Halifax and then went to Montreal where I believe the bike was offloaded and trucked to the pickup warehouse. I’m not sure where it sat to clear customs, but that was the longest part (Unexpected) of the entire process.
My friend Walter had agreed to help me get it loaded and in the beginning I was going to use his trailer which we’d just have to empty in his garage and then of course get it back to him after the bike was offloaded in Ilderton. There was no hurry, but then we had the idea to check Uhaul. Turned out I was able to rent a motorcycle trailer for less than $20 for a day… no brainer.
Walter verifying our strapping technique must admit the 1″ straps felt a bit light dutyThe load after arrival in Ilderton There was a tornado in LUCAN while I was drivingThe bullet with the fairing ready to roll out Offloaded in Canada at it’s new home. I think Willie would be happy for E
Ok, so I’ve been somewhat planning this since the end of 2024 and beginning of 2025. I started researching BSA clubs in my area and joined several on FaceBook. I was trying to get more details about shipping as well as how to register the bike or assure paperwork is in order for when it arrives in Canada.
I contacted the BSA Owners Club and with the help of Phil I was able to determine what the process for registration would be. I needed to provide him the Frame No. and Engine No. with the original registration so that the Owners club could work with the DVLA to get a modern registration V5C.
The story of the paperwork prep is long and convoluted, but essentially there was some risk as the Frame and Engine number were recorded backwards, but the club was able to confirm the ones in the photo matched with the factory records and so the process through the DVLA did go smoothly.
The story of the paperwork prep is long and convoluted, but essentially there was some risk as the Frame and Engine number were recorded backwards, but the club was able to confirm the ones in the photo matched with the factory records and so the process through the DVLA did go smoothly.
In the end we received a modern V5C registration from the DVLA in Eleanor’s mum’s name to use for shipping paperwork. It was never going back on the road in the UK, but this would make shipping lower risk and then we can look to transfer the ownership and registration with “Service Ontario” when it’s landed.
Goal will be to get it registered as an “unfit” vehicle of historical nature.
Then at some point a safety will be required * This is a big unknown as the laws and process for safety has changed since April 1, 2025 and so a bit up in the air how easy this process might be for such an old historic vehicle.
With registration and safety the last piece would be insurance.
We want it to be road worthy of course, but will never be planned to be used for any long rides.
Fast forward to today July 7, 2025 and we are getting ready to start the paperwork process, but the paperwork is being mailed from the UK as it did not travel with the bike.
Continuing the story.. it picks up in December 2024.
Add for the bike back from the ’60s. Likely something like this that brought Willie to the decision
E had discussed with her company the possibility of using their shipping channels to get the bike from Kirkintilloch to Ilderton and the Owner of Armstrong was pleased to assist with her mission.
I felt that to ship the bike through customs some form of paperwork would be required to assure clearing through customs and in order to eventually register the bike on this side of the ocean. I reached out to the BSA Owners club in the UK and made contact with Phil who was super helpful on the journey. I had the original Registration.
Page 4 of 5 from original Log Book
Without boring everyone with the gory details I had long discussions with Phil over the best process forward and of course in the end all the decisions were mine and E, but they were great at giving good advice. Shipping these bikes from Scotland to Canada is no longer a common experience. I believe after the war is when many of the military models made their way back home with the soldiers.
Jan 12, 2025 – Sent paperwork package via post to the BSA UK Owners Club
Jan 13, 2025 – PayPal payment confirmed by the club.
Feb 10, 2025 – E’s mum confirmed the DVLA had sent her the modern registration for the bike based on the clubs submission.
Eleanor then arranged for pickup of the bike at her Mum’s place by the shippers.
April 24, 2025 – Bike picked up at E’s mums house in Kirkintilloch to be brought for crating and shipment.
April 28, 2025 – Shipment details were provided and a separate post with details will be provided.
Vessel: MSC BHAVYA / V: 07W17
ETS: 05-MAY-25 / Liverpool
ETA: 16-MAY-25 / Toronto
Actual ship 7th May and arrived Mtl 05/23 and transferred to Toronto 05/24
June 26, 2025 – Received confirmation customs had been cleared June 30, 2025 – Pickup at warehouse in Vaughan, Ontario
It actually started back in 2024—or maybe even earlier. Let me share the prelude to this story.
Shortly after it was purchased…
Look at me.. Cool mode now. (no helmet)
On a trip to Scotland with E (Mid 2000’s), we made time to visit her dad’s old motorcycle, which had been tucked away in a friend’s shed. That’s where we found it packed in tight — Willie (as her dad is affectionately known) shared with us some stories.
It was packed in tight, and the fairing (that classic bubble!) was a stand-out feature. Later I’ve found out that this is a very rare after market add-on. But even then, I could see the potential. It looked like fun—and it clearly held deep sentimental value for the family. I was intrigued.
That moment marked the beginning of the journey… though it would take some time before we had the space—and the time—to give it the attention it deserved.
Sadly, in 2024, Eleanor’s dad passed away. But not before he had the bike moved, with help from his son-in-law (Harry Yeo) and a friend, from his buddy’s shed to his own. It was a symbolic step: the bike was officially on its way to safety—and eventually, to Canada.
Summer of 2023 (Harry, Willie)
Summer 2024 – Harry & Willie
More to come soon about the restoration process and the transatlantic journey that started in late 2024.
