Looks like the 'original gasket' is actually the gauze sump oil filter that strains big bits out of the oil. Generally fit paper gasket, gauze oil filter, paper gasket and then cover. A nice gasket sandwich. We've all been there important thing is to keep on trying (and thinking) wet dumping! You can usually get in line (oil tank oil line) non return devices that should stop lots of oil draining into sump, I have one on my velo. Copper washers can be used again after annealing. Leaking cover is primary drive and clutch, fairly std for a slight leak, just check oil in case is about right level now and again.Best wishes.

Always have an aloe Vera plant near you for burns, cut a bit off and straight on the area . It's brilliant. Putting ice on a burn is adding another burn to your skin. Hair in the oil was pure funny 🤣🤣🤣💚

Well impessed Charlie, you are certainly not a quitter! You made every mistake in the book (as we all have) and learned from it. You persevered and got there.👍

You are better than the Two Ronnies Charlie. You’ll save me a fortune on my Sky bill. 🤣🤣 Seriously though, very well done. Many bikers would not have attempted that on a BSA. 👍

Very impressed with your Dads workshop. That lathe and those bikes! Oh my

Great job. You jumping in the deep end, learning to ride and repairing vintage BSA. Simply a amazing woman! Best of luck to you Charlie! Love the channel.

Very good idea - I'll do it to my own B31. While watching this, I was able to source a sump plate with drain plug from several places here in the US. I have not yet found a source for the Scottish shortbread tray. 🙂

Greetings from down under, Scottish Shortbread and 20w 50 oil...yumm. Truly inspirational as always. Thanks.

Watching this in my living room I actually said out loud "watch out for the exhaust" just as you were touching the hot pipe. Ouch! I feel your pain. Can't tell you how many times I've done that myself working on my own bikes. Anyway, I love your videos. Please keep making them and I'll keep watching them. Cheers from the Southern United States.

Keep them coming Charlie,very entertaining,your not alone finding how hot the exhaust can get on naked skin.

Thank you, I enjoyed the video well done, we all make a mess in the work shop but all part of classic biking.

Good job well done, that's why I love watching your videos becouse you dont edit them. When something goes wrong you leave it in. Keep those great videos coming. Ride free and stay safe.

The other cover is the primary chain case and clutch, Well done another skill mastered .

Congratulations! And, I love your humour. Keep up the great videos. Thanks for sharing.

Got to love a classic hope the burn wasn't to bad bless you what a great shop your late dad had looks like he was a talented man it's great UV kept them I hope you get to ride them in summer Ur show them and how lovely to see a robin and you called it dad had a tear in my eye absolutely lovely xx

If your oil smells of petrol you should dump it Charlie (not literally of course..) My Commando wet sumps too and after the winter when I've been starting it but not taking it for a run the oil stinks of petrol, this won't do the oil or the engine any good so even if it's relatively clean I replace it before I take it out for the first time after the winter lay-up.. Your unidentified engine cover is the outer cover of the Primary Chain Case. The B31 is a pre-unit design (the engine and gear box are completely separate from each other with their own independent oil supplies) and the primary chain links the two via the clutch (which is in the rear end of the cover..) Your final drive chain then drives off a sprocket on the gearbox output shaft (the sprocket is usually located behind the clutch on most British bikes) to drive the back wheel.. Here endeth the lesson ! - Great job on fitting the new sump plate by the way !!..

You're a star! I declare you to be the winner of KZfaq for 4th November 2022. Lovely bike too and the appearance by the robin was marvellous. You got the job done and learnt a bit more. I think its unfair that you couldn't use the lift that the other classy-looking bike was monopolising. I have a few jobs to do on my old 1961 AJS soon and I'm much rustier than the bike, as well as being 4 years older. I don't think I'll film them. They're nothing that I haven't done before but I'm decades out of practice. Thanks for posting. I'll have to get round to following more of your adventures soon.

Well done you, the look on your face when it fired up priceless thanks for sharing beautiful x👍

The joy's of working on old British bikes...

Very good job Charlie, on the BSA sump. 👍Beautiful bike . A real classic. Despite a few mishaps ( exhaust burns and oily hair ) you have made life a little easier for yourself when future maintenance is needed. I envy you having that great well equipped workshop. Thanks for the video, Charlie. Cheers and ride safe. ✌️🏍🇨🇦

Love it Charlie - saw the hair in oil coming! I speak from experience when I used to have hair... ;0) Great seeing the B31 again, and I had one back in the 70s. Carry On Charlie, love your videos!

Got 3 of my dads old bikes in my garage including a 1950 B31 which I’ve only had started once since he passed. This video has given me a push to get it sorted so I can ride it this year. New wiring harness and battery to fit, then see how it goes from there.

Lol those hot exhaust pipes will give a 1st degree tiger stripe with a quickness. Get you some sheets and a roll or two of gasket material at the parts store and quit worrying about having to be as careful with gaskets. Thanks for the fantastic video, great job wrenching on it, and keep it greasy.

Nice job nothing like learning the hard way at least your learning. The other cover is the primary chain cover it has a gasket too ha ha good on you keep up the good work.

Credit where it's due you don't give up do you. The kick starting brought a memory for me, I built a street tracker out of a Yamaha RD350, I would dread kick starting it and it was summer when I finished it, like you Charlie I was a pool of sweat. Wasn't until I was selling it and they guy buying it (after me saying it's a bugger to start) said, "don't touch the throttle" first kick bike started easy. Anyway, your video's are varied and interesting keep doing the great work ;-)

Great work, it is lovely to see these old bikes still going strong. When it comes to exhaust burns all I can say is welcome to the club! 👍😂

I Charlie. Love your video's, well least you have a go, by the way the Robin that called in on you is true, my partner lost her farther many years ago and where ever we go there is a Robin that shows up and she say's that's my Dad. Because she was very close to her Father. You take care and ride safe

Nice video Charlie as always bit disappointed that there wasn't a mug of tea to be seen anywhere 😁

good job, you took a lot of time but you did it yourself that's great, I'm sure you are very satisfied. A bit messy but that's part of the learning. I really enjoyed watching .

I believe that sump oil is a great hair conditioner! 😂. Great job. 👍

Thanks Charle 👍 I could see 'the hair thig' coming when you left the tray where you did, I was screaming at the screen not to leave it there 😅. BUT, even though I knew what was going to happen it was hilarious, I was laughing like a drain, thank you for that, made my day. Oh, and you are correct sticking out the tongue is compulsory. Similarly, I love the way you burn yourself, tell yourself not to do it, then burn yourself again, and tell yourself not to touch the throttle (but continue doing so) at leat 4 times! 😂🤣😂 You are my kind of mechanic! Comedy aside, well done for giving it a go and completing the job, kudos to you and the grin on your face when she started was priceless, that moment when all of the 'faff' suddenly becomes worth it. Fantastic!

Good video, the bit that’s now leaking oil is the clutch and primary drive, probably the gasket has dried out or the case is warped. The best way to learn is to tinker about with the bike and as it’s not your only means of transport it doesn’t matter how long it take, so you can take your time and enjoy the experience.

Lovely picture of your Dad . My Dad sold his last bike when l was about three.This all meant that l would be condemned to a life of motorcycling . At 82, l am gagging for another one but, l suspect that it may be a bit late to purchase a Royal Enfield 350 Halcyon !!

Another fabulous video. They get better and better and always give me a smile . I know you tell people that it's not an instructional video but I think they worked that out when you dipped your head in the oil tray ! I was once working on a bike and managed to burn my forehead on the exhaust down pipe . I left some flesh behind when I pulled my head away. I also dry sumped once ! A lot of beer had been consumed though . As always I look forward to the next video .

Ouch! Poor you! 40 years ago, as a teenager myself, I marveled at the old guy motorcycle mechanic at the end of our road who never rolled up his sleeves while running a motorcycle repair shop. (Even on the hottest days!) As I grew to adulthood and worked on my own motorcycles, and their hot exhausts, I understood his reasons for keeping his arms covered. I hope your burns heal quickly! 🤕🤕. Thanks for posting this weeks most entertaining video anyway!

Good luck with the BSA. I was the proud owner of a B33 500 single except it wanted to kill me. After several near death experiences I had to let it go in favour of a beautiful mild mannered 1969 Triumph TR6R 650 Tiger or following the BSA beast a Triumph Pussycat! Anyway make sure you have a good instep on your boots. I wore wellies with a thick insert to cushion the blows.

Ideally, you would use a new copper washer every time you undid the sump plug, but in the real world it’s not necessary. A washer will stay oil tight for at least 4-5 uses. If you find it leaking, heat it up to cherry-red in a flame (blowtorch or gas ring) and either let it cool or quench it in water. This will soften the copper and allow it to deform correctly again. In 50 years of fixing and repairing bikes and cars, I think I have actually bought a new washer twice. I don’t have a problem with oil leaks. And well done for doing the bolts and plug up just tight enough. It doesn’t need much , and most people overtighten. I’m loving seeing your videos, keep ‘em coming!

That's my kind of garage nice one Charly 👍

Good BSA b31

Lovely bike. watched this before going to work (Teacher) and it made my day to see those old castings and solid iron barrel. I guess I'm a romantic. LOL!

I had a new 1955 Ariel 350cc Red Hunter. Cost 185 pounds in those days. Lovely bike, I wish I still had it! I replaced it with a 1955 Ariel 650cc Huntmaster which had better accellearation so I could keep up with the rest on club runs, everyone else had at least 500cc twins of various makes

I love watching your learning/thought process because we have all been there once upon a time.

Because your worth it!! Loreal new hair formula B31 Syrum & no Pentapeptides, Loved the video & hope to see you out on the bike maybe a classic rally or a bike night in the future.

I think the same about the robin, I have been visited after people close departed. Regarding the primary chain case, I am not a BSA expert but with some other makes, if wet dumping is really bad, oil from the bottom of the engine can pass through bearings into the chain case. I would plan to drain this and refill with the correct amount/grade. It might make it easier to start as well! Another great video and good to see someone having a go and being successful. Paul

yep, can imagine hubby...."your hair smells lovely, is that L'Oreal", "no dear its halfords 20W50" :) :) :)

Great video your Da would be proud of you. The best crack messing around with bikes is learning on the job and getting messy. You 're right about the robins, looking forward to the next one.

A magnet is useful when searching for metal bits in oil. A mate once dropped a load of rollers into a crankcase full of oil! He spent hours with a magnet on a stick but found them all!

Recently discovered your channel. Another nice video! Used to have a B31 many years ago. Great bike which took me many Miles. My old BSA A10 wet sumps if left a long time. Common problem on these old bikes!

Good job! Your feathered visitor had a message for you: move drained oil container FAR AWAY from work area! 😁 You almost became a brunette! Not to worry, 99% of us DIYers fumble our way around and somehow manage to get it right in the end. When the situation gets fustrating, it's best to take a break and decompress. Cheers!

Good down to earth video, full of laymen’s technical terms, hope your burns heal quickly, and just keep bumbling along

Don't do what I did changing the oil on my Yamaha. I cut a hole in an old plastic oil container, put it under the bike hole down 😭 nice video as usual, nice workshop your dad made up. I believe the robin thing, my nephew visits me quiet often. Your dad's keeping his eye on you ❤️

Another excellence job Charlie. I love your theory about when a Robin comes and sees you, beautiful

Nice job Charlie 👍 lovely old bike, you need a bigger Scottish shortbread tin 😂, loved the vid , cheers Mitch

Very enjoyable watch Charlie, the wife and I love your videos which you record as you go. Looking forward to your Honda CB500x review and when you get your hands on the new Super Meteor which is now showing on youtube. 😊

Loved it ! I have a lift like your Dad’s. I use it for every time I work on bike, it saves my knees and back. The Robin’s message may have been your Dad saying 🗣”swap the Matchless with the BSA” ! I so admire your resolve, well done 👍

I’m sorry but I laughed out loud when you dipped your head in the oil 😂 I fitted the same mod to my A10 many moons ago and also a non return valve to stop the sumping. Wish I’d kept the bike. Loving the vids.

Was 😂😂😂 when you got up and had oil in your hair and on your face so funny. Your dads workshop was like one I had 16 years ago

You know, back in the day when I was young. A girl or woman that did boy things with their dad was referred as a Tom boy... Were that adage came from I do not know... However, you take it to another level...You don't see to many women roiling around on the floor changing out sump pump plates... I'm sure your dad would be proud... Good job... the oil in the hair, didn't see that coming... LOL to cute, keep up the good work... C 😎

Another great video Charlie! Thoroughly enjoyed your journey into bike bumbling. Many thanks x

My dad had one of those in that same colour, that's the reason I got my Meteor in Steller Red. It was also the first bike I ever came off, as a passenger though, black ice on a corner. Great bike, have fun with yours. If you heat up the old copper washers to red heat and let them cool they will be annealed (softened) and can be reused.

L'Oréal old engine oil. Because you're worth it. 🤣🤣 That leak is on the primary case. There's a chain that links the engine to the gearbox on old bikes. It's definitely worth having a look and trying to sort it. If nothing else, it'll give us another entertaining video to watch. Have your exhaust burns gone nice and scabby yet? 🤣 I shouldn't laugh, I mashed my index finger with a mallet the other day and it looks a right mess now.

Just came across your channel. Throughly enjoying!!

Brill video.. think it might be better if you used a gasket on both sides of the brass gauze filter screen, as well as weldtite sealant. I used weldtite on my 1974 tr6 rebuild. I had NO leak’s!!!! Have you got the oil out of your hair yet,? They used to tease Fred Dibnah about what was the Flash point of his Cap😅!!! He used it to mop up anything on his steam engines. Great content, keep going. 😊

Lovely bike and another great film on how to make us all smile. I think it’s fair to say we’ve all been their. It took an whole afternoon once to get a BSA C15 going even as a 16/17 year old working in a cellar and on the backyard it was hard work. As always Charlie keep safe and the rubber side down

My first byke 250 c11g little sister to yours .Brought back memories of 1960 changing head gaskets regularly. Keep up these great blogs. Ps still riding at 78yrs !!!

Always use a new casket Sweetpea. Fit the old bolts through the old cover with the gasket and check their penetration. Select new bolts that penetrate the same amount on the new cover. Don't forget to add the thickness of the gasket. Always tighten up bolts by hand to ensure you haven't cross threaded the bolts before finally tightening. Your brother's advice is spot on. One copper washer only each time. Your dad's garage is very well equiped. He was obviously a great tinkerer. That burn is nasty but you should know exactly how to deal with that! Great stuff, very entertaining.

Very well done!

I love it ....I thought I was the only clumsy person ! Hah ! Yup playing with old British bikes is usually messy .you will probably have a lot of people on here telling you to put an inline tap in the oil line ...but don't....I have seen and heard too many people who ..forgot to turn it on when you start it and go for a ride then wrecked their engines .

Primary chain case, and yes, there is a gasket inside there. Love the old B31's, a sweet bike to ride, wish I still had my one from years back.

Very entertaining video as usual,I'm glad I'm not the only one who can get in a bit of a mess.but saying that, nicely done.

I loved the oil hair incident, made me feel so much better as I always seen to get in a mess, despite good intentions.

You are entertaining Charlie. DIY maintenance can be very rewarding and you make a few mistakes along the way. Well done.

Well done Charlie. You have worked it all out for yourself. That is the best way to learn. And I like when you asked when you were not sure. Working with oil can at times get messy. Glad you did not burn your face on the exhaust.

Really enjoyed that one and the fact that you left the oily hair bit in made it even better! 😂 well done!

LOL omg that was a bit funny with oil in the hair part and a great video. I can't believe the new oil cover does not come with bolts as well. What a wonderful workshop your dad had.

Good on yer CHARLIE. Only way to learn duck, is to make mistakes and never do them again. We've all been there and probably still are. You never stop learning. Great workshop full of tools your Dad left. BLESS HIM. 👍👍👍 I too am called CHARLIE. 😭

Well done Charlie you did a great job on the BSA . Hope your arms not to sore from the burn and you got the oil out of your hair . Thanks for sharing your life , love the vids .

Charkie WTF!!! when you dipped your hair and face in the oil, I nearly spat my cheese and crackers out lol, well done you top tinkering, can I just offer a piece of advice to help ageing knees and backs, remove old back protectors from jackets and use them to kneel/lie on, sorry about the burns.

Great video as always Charlie. Best way to get to know your bike is work on it and the best way to learn is just do it. The sheer joy on your face when she fired up was priceless. Fantastic workshop your Dad had, bet he spent hours in there. Thanks for sharing, ride safe.

I thought by now everyone knew the old "Put some old carpet down on your concrete floor to things less brutal on your knees and body " trick by now.

Great video, well done, the left side engine cover is the primary chain drive and clutch there is a minimal amount of oil inside just meant for lubricating the chain, may just need the gasket replacing oil level is supposed to be so it just touches the chain although some run the cover dry with no oil and just lubricate the drive chain regularly which is probably the best method if its not being used a lot.

Charlie it looks like you were unlucky with the new sump plate you purchased, most come as a kit with a pair of gaskets & longer screws to fix it on. You would fit a new gasket either side of the strainer plate (a crude filter to stop large oil bound items ending up in the oil pump). You should only need a single copper washer under the drain plug, if you ever get caught without a new one you can anneal the old one to soften it & refit it. The casing with oil leaking from it is the primary drive casing, it has the clutch & chain in it that connects the engine to the gearbox. If an engine wet sumps to the point where the oil level reached the centre height of the crankshaft it also travels into the primary drive casing & will fill that up to, so you need to drain the excess oil out as it will effect the clutch operation if left. As you mention it also starts to leak out when the engine is started, there should be just enough oil in the casing for the drive chain to dip into at the chains lowest point. The oil in this casing is there just to lubricate the chain, the clutch should not operate in oil. There should be a drain screw & a level screw on the casing, you drain the oil out through the (lower screw on the casing) then replace it. Then remove the level screw & inspection cover (large round item towards the top of the casing) pour your 20W50 oil in through the inspection cover hole until it just starts to come out of the level screw hole, then refit the level screw. If it's wet sumped again I guess you could just remove the level screw until it stops coming out & the level will be correct without you draining the entire casing, hope this makes sense ? It works on my 1939 BSA M23 Silver Star !

I would put spring washers on your sump Allen bolts or they will come loose and fall out. You have a good have a go attitude 👍

Well that was more entertaining than I expected 😅

Brilliant!

Fabulous Content Charlie, you have the ambition to do anything. Assistants are hard to get these days, have you noticed. I have a couple of exhaust burn tatoos from this summer also. Keep em coming, love your channel, Neal.

All I can say is your a true bike Charlie. As someone that works on old bikes it always seems that the easiest jobs become the biggest pain in the ass. But you did it, and did it right. And got battle scares. Hey if you don’t get busted knuckles cuts burns or oil in your hair, I’ve done that to, you ain’t working on old bikes. The story about the robin, I’ve never heard before. But it seems to make total sense. And I’m sure your dad was watching. And is very proud of you. 👍

Been there and definitely done that . . .

Its good to use floor paint on concrete floors, makes it easier to clean up spills . They usually sell you two gaskets one for each side of gauze strainer .

another excellent video!!

Well done! It’s important that the sump plug doesn’t vibrate loose and leave the oil on the road with none in the bike so it does need to be well tight - there might be a torque setting, but a big thread like that (even in alloy) and a small woman should mean with an ordinary length wrench you tighten it as tight as you can 💪!

Your dad had a smart shop! stay safe

We all learn by our errors Charlie, like moving oil tray But well done you for doing the work in the first place

Great video Charlie well done I have an old Norton I know what your up against we have to keep these old girls running x

Great vid. A couple of tips. Any old clothes that are too worn out to be donated to charity can be cut up into rags and kept in a bag in the workshop, ideal for soaking up oil and saves a ton of kitchen roll. And secondly buy yourself a can of electrical contact cleaner. It's ideal to spray on oily parts and cleans/dries in seconds.. Looking forward to the next vid whatever it may be.👍

You are doing great and having a go.

Great Vid Charlie, a word of wisdom from someone who's learnt the hard way..Never put a mating face on the floor. You put the new sump plate face down and could attract grit and cause some issue with the gasket. As I say I've made those mistakes and it cost me dearly. Lovely BSA tho . Keep it up. 😊

Hi Charlie great vid and lessons learnt all the way ,the sump plate with a drain in are a god send ,get a magnetic pick up tool very useful for retrieving lost bolts ect .I would be thinking that it oil pump ball valve and spring maybe need a little attention that will help stop the oil building up in the sump ,use a flat washer and then a spring washer or non permanent thread lock, and yes the Robin is a messenger, I too make lots of noise when getting down to work on my old bikes these days lol x

In case you're interested, there's many a person wouldn't even have attempted that job especially nor lay on the floor, he says who does everything on the floor 😉 😄 Brilliant again, love Dad's work shop and yes I'm a believer, Robbins and white feather all good and I recon Dad was there 😀

Nice! Oil color😁✌🇫🇷