Ignition points & advance unit lubricating felt pad

[BSA Bob]

The felt pad supplying lubricant to the ignition points & auto advance bearing surface isn't touching. For now I'll have to lubricate the surface manually. Any opinions on how frequently I'll have to do this? The bike usually makes short runs, less then 100km.

[BSA Bob]

[Taz]

Hello Bob.

Wouldn't it be more rewarding if you could get that felt pad to actually do what it has been designed for?

Maybe we can give you a hand if you would post a picture...

just my tuppence, Ute

[strichzwojan]

Since 1979 always running without felt pad. Never missed it. Just apply Bosch Ft 1 v 4 grease - a very small amount around the blank surface of the advancer every 2000 miles .

[BSA Bob]

Thanks as always for the prompt replies.
Taz, it would be good to use the pad for its intended purpose. I doubt I could get a picture but it's easy to describe.
The pad looks to be original, the pad itself is in good condition but the steel frame is dropping down so the pad doesn't touch. I can't bend the steel frame up. I think it might be possible if I removed the advance unit, I might then be able to bend it. I don't want to disassemble the parts at the moment so I'm checking the options.
Strichz, this grease of which you speak. I presume it's designed for such uses? I must consult Mr Google. At the moment I've just used oil which won't stay there for long.

[strichzwojan]

Hey Bob, its a "long-fibre", heatresiting grease, ever since on the market, but not available for many years. Now relaunched by Bosch.
Once you buy it, it will last for decades, even if you own 30 Oldtimer vehicles...

available in Bosch-Services or elsewhere in the net:  https://www.oldtimer-schmierstoffe.at/de/product_info.php?info=p434_bosch--heisslagerfett-ft1v4--5-700-002-005-.html

[BSA Bob]

Unfortunately I can't source the Bosch grease here, the website's happy to sell me stove accessories & that sort of thing but no grease. So I've ordered a tube of grease from a reputable BMW dealer.
The metal part of the lubricating pad looks to me to be spring steel, am I right? Whatever, I think it's lost its tension.

[Kees]

You can buy the entire thing, metal spring plus felt from almost all the BMW vintage parts suppliers. For example:

https://bmwclassicmotorcycles.com/index.php/catalogsearch/result/?q=12118030100.

Or you cut a new spring from a piece of spring steel. Any old handsaw is a good source for spring steel.
Or you try to bend it back in the proper position. Maybe it will break when doing that.


 

[BSA Bob]

Hi Kees.
I think a lot of disassembly would be needed to be able to rivet a new pad on.
I'll get a new one & put it by until the electrics need major work. Which I hope they won't, of course.