The BSA A7-A10 Forum
Bikes, Pictures, Stories & more => Introductions, Stories, Meetings & Pictures => Topic started by: Dave on 07.04. 2016 21:27
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Well hello new friends! I may just need your help with this one as its going to be a labour of love and hate I think!
My story starts as a child growing up in a small house in Lancashire! I had a lovely downstairs bedroom, with my favourite posters on the walls to include an array of Group B rally cars, MK2 Escorts and a collection of fighter jets exclusively collected and displayed with pride. Unfortunately, the room was also tarnished with my Dad's desire to completely embarrass me, especially when I wanted to bring my friends around to play. The was expertly done, due to his decision that the only place worthy of storing his awful BSA motorbike frame was in my room, under the front window for the duration of my childhood and teenage years. Every day I wished he would get rid of the dam thing as it had become the pain in my side. Instead of the normal kid’s bedroom, complete with a wardrobe and desk! I had to have an old crappy part motorbike!
Well I have long moved away from the family home and the bike frame has now returned to the front room, after a lengthy stay at my Dad’s work premises until his retirement forced its return. Due to the length of time it has been untouched and pressure from his beloved wife and daughters, the decision was made to sell such item on Ebay, potentially freeing up the front room once again!
On hearing this news that the bike was finally going, I was totally shocked and more so, overwhelmingly upset that this was now the highlight of fully live online auction!! Bids were starting to come in!!
Trying to understand my feelings, it was apparent that I always had it in my head that we would one day go for a ride together on the machine that I once hated as a young boy. I had to stop this sale and tell my Dad he couldn’t sell it…!!!!
The next day after a sleepless night I went round to discuss this. In the bad books after already making the angry phone calls, grumpily telling my long suffering sisters they had made a major mistake listing it without my knowledge! I can take the frame and put it in my son’s bedroom for now, I told them!! ;-)
So here we are! My Mother has accepted defeat for now…! The bike is staying with them a little longer and I’m working on my partner to free up some room for our new project!
After Googling and researching every evening for the whole week I have totally caught the BSA bug. The more I read and find out from Dad, the more the plot thickens as to the history of this machine!
(Racing Gearbox, raced in the TT, 1954 Number plate, DA10 121**engine, misplaced log book, bracket covering the frame number, fiberglass tank and seat! What did you used to be…?
Dave
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Well it's a B31/33 frame for a start Dave. Good luck with the restoration!......And welcome.
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Thanks for the story, & welcome to the forum.
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Thanks guys!
Well the engine we have is the A10 650cc so its going to be restored as that.
We cant find the frame number as there is a bracket welded onto the front, which I am guessing wasn't original but for a racing fairing or something. Could the bike definitely not have been a A7 with the factory using the B frame from new, which was lying around in the factory. My Dad thought it was originally a A7 with 500cc twin engine. Not sure whether to remove the plate or keep it on the bike yet to find the stamp number?
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Hi and Welcome,
On the frame I can see rear set lugs as used on Gold Star models *smile*
Removal of the steering head bracket (very carefully *eek*) will hopefully reveal the frame number
Look carefully around near the top of the headstock and check for any traces of weld or grinding
If the frame was a B31/33 there would have been a plate for the steering lock
Look on the underside of the bottom fork yoke, is there a casting number?
Could you post some better pics of the headstock area ?
The DA10 engine being 1960 is later than the frame ,
Cheers
John
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Welcome. Great intro!
I've not seen the famous frame kink, (to clear the oil pump housing on the B series singles) shown so clearly.
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John,
Thank you for the information! I will be over there this weekend to go through all the parts he has and I'll take some better pictures! The front brake looks modified too on the picture too so I'm convinced its been a racing bike of some sort. He said the engine was standard so it must have been fitted later. I cant wait to go through all the parts and try and piece it together. Hopefully the log book will turn up at some point too!
Dave
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Great story - good luck.
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G'day Dave, *welcome*.
That looks to be a good project. Best of luck with it.
Cheers
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Hi John,
I had a look at the casting number, it looks something like 42-5010-(maybe 18) if that can tell you anything?
The plate welded on is definitely not standard. I can see a little of the stamp number behind, but cant make it out without removing the plate. My worry is some of the weld is on the stamp, but I haven't got the bike to the workshop yet to attempt to remove it.
I am really interested to get it off so I can find out the bikes history, but at the end of the day its going to be built as A10 with a focus of just getting it back on the road, after all these years and enjoyed rather than keeping it original (As its obviously not with a later engine installed)
Dave
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Hi Dave,
Hmmm ???
Heres an opinion from afar !!!
Judging from the rearset footrest mounts, no steering lock and the bottom yoke with the casting number
These are features of a "Gold Star" frame :o :o :o
Forensic removal of the added plate is needed to confirm
The mention of it being raced adds a bit to the story *????* *????*
If the frame can be identified positively as a GS frame, it will multiply in value
A rethink on the build would then be needed ??
HTH
John
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Hi Dave,
Hmmm ???
Heres an opinion from afar !!!
Judging from the rearset footrest mounts, no steering lock and the bottom yoke with the casting number
These are features of a "Gold Star" frame :o :o :o
Forensic removal of the added plate is needed to confirm
The mention of it being raced adds a bit to the story *????* *????*
If the frame can be identified positively as a GS frame, it will multiply in value
A rethink on the build would then be needed ??
HTH
John
Wouldn't that be nice? *smile*
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Thanks again John for the info and words of wisdom.
It would certainly be a great bit of luck if it was a Goldie frame as my Dad had no idea. Someone would have been smiling if it was still on the auction site and they won the bidding, as it certainly wasn't listed as one. If its true... its a real 'barn find'!
The next steps are to remove the plate and step up the search for the log book!
Dave
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The 42-5010 top yoke was used on all of the 1954 A & B swinging arm models thereafter exclusively on the Gold Star & RGS.
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replacing with a a7 shooting star [ss] engine in a b31 or b33 frame was a common period upgrade. a poor mans goldie engine probably. i know as i have a frame with logbook that shows the conversion happened in the 70 s.
i bet it had fibreglass tank, seat, home made rearsets and clip ons in its day. now rarer than the over-restored goldie .
a good project whichever direction it takes.
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Hello again after a long time I have restarted the restoration after sadly loosing my Dad not long after staring the post.
The good news is that I am now making good progress with the help of my late Dads best friend to just get it running again after 50 years off the road!!
We have located the engine and found that it had been refurbished somewhere but was disassembled to put in my mums loft.
Dragonfly have been great supplying the missing bits and its now rebuilt in the frame with a reconditioned gearbox and brand new upgraded clutch. *smile*
I have removed the faceplate and there is some stampings, but its not clear exactly the whole frame number. It does appear to be a Goldie thought!
Not sure if I can re apply to DVLA not knowing what was on the original log book or do I try and contact the Goldstar owners club?
I'm hoping you kind people can help me as we are trying to piece the puzzle and put the bike back together. Unfortunately not all the bits my Dad sourced seem to be correct as I don't think he realised it was a goldstar frame, instead a A10.
One question I have is does anyone know which rear brake pedal I need to find, as the one I have is totally different. We think the frame is a 53-55 goldstar.
I'm looking on Ebay but no idea really which part number I should bid for?
Kind regards
Dave
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Hi Dave,
The brake pedal you need for touring footrests is part number 42-7003
They are rare and sought after by Goldie owners who no longer can contort themselves to the clip on's and rear sets *eek*
The 54-57 parts book can be viewed on line at, https://www.baxtercycle.com/parts/parts-books-online/bsa/
John
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Hello John,
Many thanks for your help and and the link to the parts catalogue. Trust my luck the part I'm after is rare and sought after! I have seen a pedal that looks like its the one I want, however everyone is bidding on it already. Its not quite the same number though as its listed as 42-7004. Could it be the same one I need?
Kind regards
Dave
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42 7003 is the number shown in the parts list for the pedal "complete" which could mean with the stop bolt fitted.
42 7004 is the number on the forging. So yes the part you need.
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Thank you Julian, that's great!
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Dave I've just read all your posts, and it is indeed a fascinating tale, especially of a bike kept indoors, which some may say is a good thing as far as preventing theft and degradation of fine finishes is concerned.
Comparing the earlier picture makes me think the gearbox has a reverse camplate, so that may come as a surprise if on the first run the take off is a bit sluggish.
The rear brake at the moment is assembled slightly askew, the operating lever points down from above, allowing the brake rod to lie along the swing arm tube and the pivot point from the rod to the brake pedal lies close to the axis of the S/A bushes. The torque stay runs backwards to the backplate, underneath the S/A tube. Plenty of pictures on the net. You'll see the later A50 and A65 share a similar rear brake arrangement.
The correct for year brake pedal required was only used for a relatively short time on frames with the early half width rear hub. As it is easy fit as a final component, don't loose sleep over getting one, Sod's Law means the dearth of this part will end as soon as you've punted your wedge.
Swarfy.
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Sod's Law means the dearth of this part will end as soon as you've punted your wedge.
So true!
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Hi Swarfy,
I was shocked at the price of the brake pedal on ebay to be fair and agree I may as well concentrate on the bits we can do at the moment. My friend is really enjoying putting it together and the pair of us are researching and looking into things all the time. The initial goal isn't to make it into a particular model, but to actually get it running. The fact its probably was a Goldie at the start of life and maybe raced. Since then its been nothing standard so my opinion is to make it how I want it to look with the bits I have and actually ride it and enjoy it. I wont be selling it so why not!
I still need a tank, chain guard and probably a load more bits along with painting the tool box and oil tank.
On a plus side I've a RRT2 gearbox to sell that's probably been in storage for 50 years *smiley4*
We have worked out the brake now, just no idea if the pedal with the bike is even a BSA part. the linkage is correct, just the pedal doesn't locate to the right point on the linkage. Hence I need to find the 42-7004 one I think.
Dave
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The frame number should be stamped on the headstock tube. Sometimes they are partly smothered by thick powder coat which may need removing to reveal it.
If no frame number or if it is an unreadable or incomplete number DVLA may treat it as a "Reconstructed classic" and issue a new 17 character DVLA VIN.
https://www.gov.uk/vehicle-registration/reconstructed-classic-vehicles
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Beautiful work!
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Hi Julian,
Thank you! I have called DVLA today and after a while getting through they said I need to fill in a V62. The problem is that I needs the frame number, which is somewhat incomplete. The bit I can see is CB32 then a dot and then 4 numbers of varying legibility. Not sure how many numbers should be there!
My hearts sinking a little reading your DVLA link as it would suggest I cant use the original number. *sad2* It looks like I'm going to have to jump through hoops to even get a age related plate.
One concern now is I need original tank, not a shiny reproduction and its already got new mudguards to fit. Its a real shame the log book was misplaced, but it is what it is and I don't even know what the bike was registered as either!
Dave
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Dave PM sent
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Nice looking bike and great history.
I’ve got a spare rear brake pedal I can donate if it helps.
The casting has BSA along with the numbers (as best I can tell)are 1004-81....maybe last two digits are 31.
It measures 12” from the centre of the pivot to the pedal end
Offered up to the one my ‘54 swing arm b33 it looks the same
If you want it PM me your mailing address
S
Admin (offtopic) comment about rotated photos, iphones sometimes decides to save photos 90 deg off. See iphone.jpg attach., exif showing the original orientation from phone. Forum produces the thumbnail according to the embedded exif info. As for opening in browser, it may, or may not, be rotated to display correctly.
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Looking at the front engine mounts, the lower one welded and the top one a casting? On the Twins this indicates a '55 as the 54 models had two welded lugs and were known to crack, so in 55 they introduced the brazed lug. I dont know if this applies to the goldie frames too.
Its looking a credit to you!
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I'm sure you know, that box dates to the First World War. They were given to service people and contained chocolate and ciggies.
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Hello Everyone,
Many many thanks for everyone's help and kindness!! I'm genuinely humbled at the support you are all giving me!!
It does appear that the frame is around the 54 mark from all the snippets of info we are piecing together.
I will have a look at the engine mounts but think its part of the casting, not brazed.
I now know the frame stamping should have 5 digits and a friend has dated the registration number the bike started with to be around the same time.
Last week I had no idea how I went about registering the bike with DVLA, which is a different challenge to building the bike.
Its fairly promising the stamping is under the powder coat so off it will come, so I can start to progress that challenge as well!
Kind Regards
Dave
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Admin:
Thanks for pointing that out re iPhone photo orientation.
I’ve tried without success to rectify it many times but it stubbornly refuses my request 🤨
Any advice on how to fix it greatly appreciated!
open in any image editing program\app, rotate, and save
Greybeard:
Yes that box has been in my family for as long as I can remember but no one can tell me who’s it was.
All of my rellies that served in WW2 and Korea are now gone....they never spoke of their grandparents service in WW1 and we have no old photos/ letters to know.
It could’ve been handed down or randomly picked up by a family member along the way.
There’s one old guy at my local Legion that knew all about the boxes original use
It’s now used to store my medical marijuana 😊
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Hello Everyone,
I thought I would share the slowly but surely progress building Dads bike. Every little job seemed to have a big challenge attached, but its taking shape!! Waiting for clutch parts and the Siamese exhaust from cake St to come back from the chromers. Need a chronometric speedo but got most of the parts sourced and fitted and electrics done. I think I'm getting a BSA bug!! ;)
Dave
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Looking good 👍