The BSA A7-A10 Forum
Bikes, Pictures, Stories & more => Chat, Offtopic & Everything Else => Topic started by: Greybeard on 14.10. 2022 14:47
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I am currently thinking about flogging my A10. I've had enough of fiddling with greasy cold machinery. Another factor is my lack of workshop space; while getting to the timing side of the bike to sort out the dynamo belt I had to squeeze between the bike and shelves with poky bits sticking out.
The new BSA is part of the equation; an electric starting motorbike that I can just ride without having to worry about it catastrophically breaking down is very appealing. I don't want a crotch-rocket. The bonus of it having a BSA badge is a small part of the appeal; it means I could still go to club weekend meetings; me and the bike might get burnt at the stake though!
When I pop my clogs if the old bike and associated clobber is still in my shed, someone will have to deal with it all, which probably means chucking much of it in a skip.
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You've had that bike a long time. Longer even than I've had mine gonna feel odd seeing someone else riding it. Yours is very reliable and handles well. And now you got a lathe to make up any bits that need upgrading!
I'll take it off your hands.
*bright idea* *work* *grins* *whistle*
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You've had that bike a long time. Longer even than I've had mine gonna feel odd seeing someone else riding it. Yours is very reliable and handles well. And now you got a lathe to make up any bits that need upgrading!
I'll take it off your hands.
*bright idea* *work* *grins* *whistle*
Serious offers considered
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G'day GB.
As BJ says you've had her for a long time and many fond memories. She is part of you, keep her for the kids/g-kids.
I will never never sell my plungie. There is a hole in the frame for my ashes to go! If I can't take the bike with me, I'm staying with the bike *ex*
Cheers
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There is a hole in the frame for my ashes to go! If I can't take the bike with me, I'm staying with the bike *ex*
The next owner will be scratching his head trying to understand why the flippin bike just will not go slow.
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G'day GB.
As BJ says you've had her for a long time and many fond memories. She is part of you, keep her for the kids/g-kids.
I'm feeling rather down at the moment so I apologise for what follows:
I don't see a viable future for our bikes. Dirty IC engines are bound to be legislated against. Fuel is going to be more and more adulterated with Ethanol. My kids are not very interested in the bike. When I die my wife or kids would have problems dealing with my stuff. I worry about having to deal with the consequences of a broken 70 year old conrod. My legs are arthritic; I can still kickstart the bike at the moment but that will become more difficult.
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I absolutely understand where you are coming from and only have two brief thoughts to offer.
Firstly as someone who recently had to deal with some mental health issues, I would counsel against making significant decisions when feeling down. Things do turn around, and if you still feel like selling the beast then it's a well considered act.
Secondly, I quite fancy one of the new BSAs, but they're transport, an old, older or even ancient bike is something else entirely.
Hope things improve.
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G'day GB.
As BJ says you've had her for a long time and many fond memories. She is part of you, keep her for the kids/g-kids.
I'm feeling rather down at the moment so I apologise for what follows:
I don't see a viable future for our bikes. Dirty IC engines are bound to be legislated against. Fuel is going to be more and more adulterated with Ethanol. My kids are not very interested in the bike. When I die my wife or kids would have problems dealing with my stuff. I worry about having to deal with the consequences of a broken 70 year old conrod. My legs are arthritic; I can still kickstart the bike at the moment but that will become more difficult.
I've been having similar thoughts but my endgame plays out like this....... I keep riding for as long as I can. I might have another ten, maybe 15, years. By which time all my stuff might be worth nothing, but so what? I've got 5 A10's on the road so (including the RGS) they're probably worth £35 - £40K. The pleasure I've had out of them and the friends I've made and the memories I've got are worth more than the bikes so they've earned their keep. The effort of maintaining and riding the bikes is keeping me young and in touch with lots of really nice people so there's more miles and memories to be had..... hopefully! So, when I can't ride any more I'll get a big van and bundle the whole lot off to an auction. If any of my mates want any of the bikes they can have 'em at a knock down price. I won't care how much money they make because, at that time of life, it doesn't matter and, as I said, they've earned their keep in so many different ways.
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I should have mentioned that I cannot think about buying a modern bike without flogging the one I have. Firstly there's the money; secondly I don't have room for more than one machine.
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The number of bikes you NEED is always one more than you've got *grins* *bash*
Cheers
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I sympathies with GB, I haven't got a problem with space but do have a problem with age, coming up 85 in a few months and I have to go for a medical to renew my driver's license, my Doc wants to make me go for a test to keep my motorcycle license, the test consists of at least 2 lessons with a riding school instructor at around $100 to $150 a time and then a test ride with licensing authority, another $100 or more, this is the problem, if you make just one mistake you fail.
The likelihood of me not making one mistake is zero, so my only hope is to talk my Doc into not ticking the box that says "test required".
So if the Doc ticks that box I'm not going to even try to renew my bike driver's license and will have two bikes for sale *sad2*
Peter
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When someone is thinking of getting rid of the older bikes and buying "something I don't need to work on" they need to consider their own personal "spannering vs riding" enjoyment ratio.
To me, that ratio would be 50:50 riding to spannering, but then I'm lucky in that I have a reasonably-sized and well-equipped workshop, so I can spend time happily getting oily in the shed when it's not a time for riding, plus I have other bikes to ride.
Also to paraphrase someone from the past, it's not the destination but the journey. Sure, some nice new bike would be pretty much guaranteed to get you where you're going, but what a boring characterless journey it would be, and when you got there there'd be no-one who wanted to indulge in the old "that's a nice bike, my dad had one of those...etc etc" and that interaction is always enjoyable too.
Still, good job we're all individuals with our own views though. *smiley4*
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I agree with Rex’s point of view. Although personally I haven’t ridden for some time, contenting myself with spannering on various vehicles.
The mental health benefits accruing from problem solving seem to me to be worth considering too. Sometimes the repair and refurbishment work can be frustrating but it’s at those times I find myself rising to the challenge. And I’m sure you all know the feeling you get when a problem is properly solved.
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I have other interests and hobbies so could never get bored if I no longer had the bike.
A scenario that scares the bejesus out of me is a serious engine failure. If a conrod went walkies through the case for instance, I'd probably just sell the bike for parts and that would be a real shame. This is one of the reasons I don't thrash the bike.
Rex, yes, riding the GF is lovely; the growl of the exhaust, the satisfying pickup always gives me a thrill but I can live without it.
I restored my first car, (1929 Austin Seven) over many years. When our three kids came along the car just wasn't practical. There were no seatbelts.The doors had no locks. When parked the car attracted attention from brats who wanted to get into it. It sat in the garage for 10 years until I decided to sell it. It was very sad but I got over it. I will regret selling the BSA but I'll get over it.
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I will never never sell my plungie. There is a hole in the frame for my ashes to go! If I can't take the bike with me, I'm staying with the bike *ex*
Cheers
Will the hip joint become a repair part for the frame? *smile*
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A scenario that scares the bejesus out of me is a serious engine failure. If a conrod went walkies through the case for instance, I'd probably just sell the bike for parts and that would be a real shame.
I worried about that to. Which is why I stripped the engine again and fitted new Thunder rods.
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A scenario that scares the bejesus out of me is a serious engine failure. If a conrod went walkies through the case for instance, I'd probably just sell the bike for parts and that would be a real shame.
I worried about that to. Which is why I stripped the engine again and fitted new Thunder rods.
Not gonna happen 😁
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I would think that scenario would worry everyone, moreso if you have a bike which is rare/expensive/foreign.
At least with an A10 there's a pretty good chance you'll pick up enough engine bits to rebuild it, but some bikes it really would be the kiss of death for.
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Neil,
I'm finding this whole topic disturbing, fIrst, because of the evident unhappiness the idea of giving up your A10 seems to be causing you. You're putting up a good front of logical explanations, however, I'm not completely buying it. Second, I was of the idea that you rather enjoyed the challenge of using your small shed to its maximum efficiency. I went back to see it again because I remember being impressed. For those who haven't seen it or don't recall, there's this, https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=HoV9zy8K2zU&feature=youtu.be . Third, it requires me to consider my own circumstances with more seriousness than is comfortable. My adult kids are not likely candidates for maintaining my motorcycles (or other interests) for their personal use or for posterity. Fourth, we would not want to lose contact with an old friend, though, I suspect you would hang around to comment on A7/10 stuff and post all nature of things of other vintage interest.
Anyway, please don't be in a hurry to make a brash decision regarding something that has been precious.
Best regards,
Richard L.
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I would think that scenario would worry everyone, moreso if you have a bike which is rare/expensive/foreign.
At least with an A10 there's a pretty good chance you'll pick up enough engine bits to rebuild it, but some bikes it really would be the kiss of death for.
The cost is relevant to income. When I had the Austin Seven I would worry about the cost involved of breaking the two bearing 'bent wire', (inch and an eighth journal), crankshaft. My more wealthy brother-in-law would say "Don't worry; you can buy new cranks that are machined from a billet". I was a telephone engineer at that time; the cost of those parts was just not in my reach. I'm retired now so money is an issue.
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Fair comment.
On the other hand, I suppose we've all known people who are very enthusiastic over a given interest and do it for years (or even decades) whether it be playing guitar, fishing, building hotrods, or any other of a thousand things, and no longer do it.
People change and interests wane over time, and that's almost inevitable.
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Neil,
I'm finding this whole topic disturbing, fIrst, because of the evident unhappiness the idea of giving up your A10 seems to be causing you. You're putting up a good front of logical explanations, however, I'm not completely buying it. Second, I was of the idea that you rather enjoyed the challenge of using your small shed to its maximum efficiency. I went back to see it again because I remember being impressed. For those who haven't seen it or don't recall, there's this, https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=HoV9zy8K2zU&feature=youtu.be . Third, it requires me to consider my own circumstances with more seriousness than is comfortable. My adult kids are not likely candidates for maintaining my motorcycles (or other interests) for their personal use or for posterity. Fourth, we would not want to lose contact with an old friend, though, I suspect you would hang around to comment on A7/10 stuff and post all nature of things of other vintage interest.
Anyway, please don't be in a hurry to make a brash decision regarding something that has been precious.
Best regards,
Richard L.
Very kind and sensible words Richard.👍
I will not be rushing to make a decision. I've been thinking about selling the A10 on and off for a while; I may have discussed it here before.
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Rare and expensive blow-ups... This is what happened to my 1913 Douglas. No sir, we are out of stock of con rods and pistons for that particular model. The engine is now off for a professional and inevitably expensive rebuild.
To finance it the WD B40 project bike will have to go as will some of the spares stash.
Meanwhile, I am having a serious head scratch about the bikes. I hardly get to ride one these days and it doesn't make a lot of sense to have a number of them lying around gathering dust.
As for selling them, I have discovered that the cash generated just evaporates so you end up no better off than before but with a gap where a bike used to be. So no rush to downsize yet.
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Second, I was of the idea that you rather enjoyed the challenge of using your small shed to its maximum efficiency.
I hear that size doesn't matter; it's what you do with it that counts. 🤔
I now have a lathe in my shed. If I sell the BSA and do not buy another motorbike I could use the money from its sale to buy a milling machine! 😉
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I now have a lathe in my shed. If I sell the BSA and do not buy another motorbike I could use the money from its sale to buy a milling machine! 😉
To make spares for a bike you no longer have?
I have several bikes (roadworthy and insured for road) and all now have electric start following my hip replacement. But I don't ride them much - just take one out now and again for a five to ten mile run. My son likes bikes but I doubt he'd bother to look after them. But so what? I agree with the comment that if you sell the money just seems to evaporate. Indeed, they're an investment that's better than money in the bank. I'm happy just to look at them and appreciate the looks and engineering. Plus, like boating, half the fun is working on them.
I agree with Richard's summary. I thing Neil is temporarily depressed (maybe it's the onset of winter - getting dark early, getting colder and wet). That gets me down too.
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Hi All,
(maybe it's the onset of winter - getting dark early, getting colder and wet). That gets me down too.
Me too *sad2*,
That's why we are heading off to the Sun next week, it does help to shorten the Winter
However this year has not been too bad as we have had lots of nice bright days
(Today being the exact opposite with torrential rain and storm force winds , resulting in a large tree falling blocking one direction of our access road,
Firewood cutting tomorrow (maybe *work*?)
John
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I think that we older folk in our 6th & 7th decade are thinking more and more about what to do. My electric start conversion after my Knee replacement will stave off a few anxieties and keep up my confidence and fun for a while at least. And I will like to run my hand over it occasionally when riding is no longer possible/advisable. Son has no interest. Grandsons may be interested, but when it stops they will have no idea where to start and possibly no-one around by then who knows either. Given modern traffic, it may be irresponsible of me to leave it to them. No answers from me then!! *dunno*
Col
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I think we are all facing the problem of what will happen to our bikes and spares stash when we are gone. My sons, both motorcyclists, have said which bikes they will keep but the rest will be sold and everything else will fall victim to house/garage clearance companies. They are too far away and have too little time to go sorting through heaps of spares etc.
One part of me says get it all in order and sell off everything I'm not likely to need in the immediate future.
Another part can't be arsed and just wants to continue tinkering and riding rather than waste my time doing a monumental clear out.
No answers...
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Pretty well sums it up fr me BS. Ditto for me re a daughter and son in law with bikes & licences, ditto re spares and bikes they won't want.
Will try to thin things out, but at the end of the day there'll be a big pile and a big mess to sort out.
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I've been thinning out the spares stash for a while now for the same reasons as posted above.
No doubt the sons can advertise the various running bikes easily enough, but identifying esoteric (and rare) spare parts would be beyond them.
Sounds like there's an opening for some enterprising person to start a "classic motorbike spares clearance company" for such situations, although how long before the inevitable "Vincent spares? No call for them my love, so call it fifty quid the lot?" scams start.
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Sounds like there's an opening for some enterprising person to start a "classic motorbike spares clearance company" for such situations, although how long before the inevitable "Vincent spares? No call for them my love, so call it fifty quid the lot?" scams start.
I have often thought the same - on both points Rex. It will be important to have things labelled, even with a rough value scrawled onto the box . . .
A clearance scheme would be good but a horror show to manage, and the thieving parasite element can't be eliminated sadly.
That said, forums such as this, and (some!) owners' clubs, could theoretically have a role, but I wouldn't want to be in charge.
What many of us need, I'm not joking, is a 'shed executor' to handle disposal of machines, machinery and tools, spares etc separately from all the valueless rubbish all our houses are full of.
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Simple answer is a bigger shed. Another project to get more space and use up redundant materials.
As for the future at some stage the grabbing hand of authority will value an estate for tax purposes. A pile of old bits valued by a youthful auditor will be worth more to the recipients when sorted and sold on piecemeal. There is also some tax loophole with Classic Cars and the like. Rules made by rich people to keep them rich, so worth investigating before making a decision that I am sure will bring more anguish.
I'll agree that some form of record keeping is a must. Years ago it was all in my head, now I write it down. Goes for the maintenance on our daily drivers takes moments to keep up to date and something less to remember.
Swarfy.
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G'day Fellas.
I'm sort of lucky (unlucky) as I don't have a great store of parts anymore. The fire took care of that *ex*
One son wants the HD and will probably take the XT. As for the 2 BSA's and Rhonda who knows. Deb might keep the 51 A7 as we went on our honeymoon on that.
The trouble is the older we, the bikes and spares get the less interest in them as the now cashed up people don't remember them from their youth and want 80-90's stuff.
GB, polish her up and put her in the living room to admire forever.
Cheers
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A close friend has maybe 10 or more old bikes (all quality stuff too) but he has no family other than an older sister.
His "solution" when he gets his final calling is apparently "you boys can come and help yourselves to any of it".
He won't be told that that is the worst possible scenario, and a guaranteed recipe for friction and ill-feeling. *sad2*
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how long before the inevitable "Vincent spares? No call for them my love, so call it fifty quid the lot?" scams start.
There was a notorious case among the elite of the Vincent Owners Club, about a dismantled “A” Rapide.
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At least one owners' club has sales and spares arms, where machines can be put on the market on consignment.
Certainly the AJS and Matchless club does, and one or two deceased friends' bikes have thus been moved on at correct market prices. Not just bikes of those marques either - there is a wide range, from restored high value, through good running machines, to projects of various sorts.
Certainly an option I have in the back of my mind, as it generates sensible funds for widow(er)s and children, keeps machines in good hands, and also generates a few ££ for the selling organisation. (In the case mentioned, ££ which are ploughed back into the manufacture of new spares, to the considerable advantage of all other members.)
Would possibly solve the dilemma Rex mentions - given that the 'plan' outlined is madness. Were I he Rex, I'd consider it seriously, especially as you say we're talking tasty machinery in that case. Then, fair values can be ascertained for those inheritors who may want one or other and taken into account in the general distribution, and folk can't in all conscience slide into squabbling mode. (Unless the inheritors are donkey sanctuaries, of course, in which case they just get £££.)
The Vincent thing caused a good few club subs to be cancelled as I recall, and led to all sorts of litigation and general unpleasantness. Human nature at its worst.
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Yes, the Vincent club thing was disgusting although I never heard the final outcome. Wasn't there even talk of theft and tax evasion charges due to stuff being removed before probate was complete?
As my mate (rather short-sightedly) says, "I won't be here to care one way or the other" . *eek*
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http://johnlumleyaffair.blogspot.com/2010/12/vincent-hrd-owners-club-rocked-by.html
One of many articles and comments Rex.
I don't know what the upshot of it all was, or if there was a conclusive one even, but it left a disagreeable taste that I believe has lingered to this day in certain quarters.
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In my circle of friends, the first reaction to one of us complaining of feeling unwell is "can I have your bikes".😁
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Perhaps "leave" your steeds to a motorcycle club you are a member of, or like / trust, for sale to the members.
They will be going to people who want and respect the machines, and your family will get a fair price.
The club I am a member of has / will buy collections from family, and deceased estates.
Three years ago our club bought 2 sea containers of bikes & bits from a local deceased estate (mainly BSA's, a few Ariels and Matchlesses); we dispersed 14 bikes to members via ballott (committee determined the price), and still have gearboxes, engines, frames etc left over for members to purchase.
They were all in bits except for an A10 outfit, and a M21. The owner was very proficient at stripping bikes; no good at re-assembly.
Another well known motorcyclist arranged that his bikes could only be sold to members of our club.
20 years later, his Speed twins, Nortons and Levis' are regularly burbling down the road again, and his family received a fair price.
Which presents me with 25 conundrums.........
Richard
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I sympathies with GB, I haven't got a problem with space but do have a problem with age, coming up 85 in a few months and I have to go for a medical to renew my driver's license, my Doc wants to make me go for a test to keep my motorcycle license, the test consists of at least 2 lessons with a riding school instructor at around $100 to $150 a time and then a test ride with licensing authority, another $100 or more, this is the problem, if you make just one mistake you fail.
The likelihood of me not making one mistake is zero, so my only hope is to talk my Doc into not ticking the box that says "test required".
So if the Doc ticks that box I'm not going to even try to renew my bike driver's license and will have two bikes for sale *sad2*
Peter
tell the doc you sold the motorcycle so no point in checking the box