The BSA A7-A10 Forum
Bikes, Pictures, Stories & more => Introductions, Stories, Meetings & Pictures => Topic started by: ringding on 25.11. 2023 17:56
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Hi all,
Just joined as have inherited my Dad's '57 A7. He bought it in '62 and it was my introduction to biking in the early 80's after he restored it. Dad was always one for rideability over originality, so it's not one for the rivet counters...
It's been off the road for a few years, due to covid and his deteriorating health, so will need recommissioning once I've moved it to my garage. Something that won't happen quickly as my own health isn't great. However, I'm determined to get out on it every now and again so will definitely be after advice.
Thanks for letting me join, and I look forward to trawling through the threads. 👍
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have inherited my Dad's '57 A7
I'm determined to get out on it
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Thanks for fine intro. Hoping the forum will be of big help.
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welcome from Canada ...you dont say where your from {country } pretty much someone from every country on here so lots of knowledge available
good luck with your project
Sean
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welcome from Canada ...you dont say where your from {country } pretty much someone from every country on here so lots of knowledge available
good luck with your project
Sean
Thanks.
I didn't think of that. *doh*
I'm in the UK, just a bit north of Bristol (in the butt cleft between Wales and England!).
Dug out an old photo of Dad and the A7, with me and my Barracuda, from a few years back. A good day out on one of the Sammy Miller Museum August Bank Holiday runs.
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Thanks for photo, nice!
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Welcome mate, nice photos. This is a great place to be for bike owners (not always Beezas).
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Welcome mate, nice photos. This is a great place to be for bike owners (not always Beezas).
Thanks! I've not got quite as many Yamaha 2 strokes as you, I've an RD250LC and a TDR250. Nice to have a bit of variety isn't it!
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Welcome mate, nice photos. This is a great place to be for bike owners (not always Beezas).
Thanks! I've not got quite as many Yamaha 2 strokes as you, I've an RD250LC and a TDR250. Nice to have a bit of variety isn't it!
Ah, no, they were past bikes, my friend - will update the profile to reflect that. I've only got space for the Flash and a Kwaka W650 at present - one to ride and one to fix (you can work out which is which!!)
Loved my Yammy 2 strokes, but never had an LC, rode the RD350B for zillions of miles to the point where there was a step at the top of the barrels and a piston ring popped out and broke (replaced with LC pistons). Had 3 XS750s for despatch riding - one got chucked down the M6 near Birmingham (despatch riding - hit a sheared propshaft from an artic). One seized up, and the other got torched by some b^&*%$ds in Stafford where I grew up. *angry* *angry*
Loads of tales from yesteryear on here, let us know how you get on. *beer* *beer* *beer*
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Love a father & son ride shot. Been there, done that... very special!
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Well, it took a bit longer than I planned but the A7 is now tucked up safe and sound in my garage, along with some spares.
She needs a going over before being ridden, and I've got my 250LC to finish (so I can sell it in the spring) first so it might be a year before I post again! I've been lurking though.
Dad always used to tell me that he had her in SS spec in the '60s. Is there a crib as to what the differences between the two are? I think she's got an alloy cylinder head (and rocker box) fitted, and there's a close ratio set of gears in a box, so I presume they were part of it?
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A7SS had alloy head, 67-356 cam, and high comp pistons, manual magneto and carb to suit. Cosmetically, had a sportier front mudguard and earlier ones had big badge tank and two tone green paintwork.
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Thanks! Gives me an idea of what to look out for when getting her back on the road.
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Has that got a front brake/hub off an A65 or A50?
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I'm relying on my memory, rather than any expertise, but I think it's an Ariel hub (but off what model I don't know)? Dad wasn't a stickler for originality and I think he told me it was a good upgrade back in the day.
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It certainly works well enough. One of our last run outs was in the pouring rain and we swapped bikes, him on my C25. I was leading the way home and had been enjoying slinging it through the bends, I have always found it very sure footed regardless of conditions. I got a bit enthusiastic with my braking for a roundabout (my C25 always required a good heave on the lever, and I think I defaulted to that approach) and locked the front! It snapped onto full left lock, but a quick dab of the foot and letting the brake off got it all back in line, and then I only overshot the giveway line by a little. I was sweating bullets, thinking about throwing it down the road in front of him, but he thought it was hilarious (he wasn't averse to tarmac surfing in his youth)!
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Looking back over some old notes, it's an early A65 front end.
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welcome from Canada ...you dont say where your from {country } pretty much someone from every country on here so lots of knowledge available
good luck with your project
Sean
Thanks.
I didn't think of that. *doh*
I'm in the UK, just a bit north of Bristol (in the butt cleft between Wales and England!).
Dug out an old photo of Dad and the A7, with me and my Barracuda, from a few years back. A good day out on one of the Sammy Miller Museum August Bank Holiday runs.
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just came back from Wales have a brother there , used to be a great motorcycle swap meet in Bath Bristol area been there a few times , dont know if they still have it .
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You might be thinking of the Shepton Mallet classic bike show? It's usually held at the start of the year, and a little south of Bristol/Bath area. I've not been for a while, I think it's still running though.
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It is still on 22-23 Feb 2025 at the Bristol and West Showground:
https://www.classicbikeshows.com/bristol/
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Thats the one Rob
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just for your info, the bike jumble's that used to be at the shepton showground have moved to a place near cheddar gorge , the owners of the showground got greedy and upped the fees for the vmcc jumble and put up the cost of the electric and they were paying the electric for the food vans which they thought was to much, so they moved.
new site info. https://www.vmccsomerset.co.uk/autojumble/
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That looks like a nice location to make a day out of it!
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That’s a very different bike from my straight ‘57 A7 undergoing my incredibly slow process of rebuilding. Some people here could complete a whole restoration in the time it’s taking me to do the tins.
Belated condolences for the loss of your dad. He looks familiar. Wss he a member of this forum? If so, what user name? Speaking of user names, should we call you “Ringding” or by a given name?
Richard L.
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Dad made a few changes to it, I've started a new thread which has his write up of his time with it, here: https://www.a7a10.net/forum/index.php?topic=19252.0
I think the main, obvious differences, will be the front wheel, the headlight shroud, and the front mudguard. I'm not well enough educated on what's should be there for an original bike to comment beyond that!
Thanks. I don't think Dad was ever on here. I did try to help him with online stuff a bit, but he was more one for going to the local bike club meets, and runs out. If he was he would probably have gone by RomseyRocker.
I'm happy to be called ringding, or Paul. I've been called a lot worse than either of those over the years!
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Paul's a bit sensible for this Forum mate. We've got a Rocker21, but I do like RomseyRocker (abbr. RR). Maybe 'Bitza' to reflect the uncertain history of the bike *????* *eek* *whistle* *wink2* *beer* *beer* *beer*
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I think 'RingDing' is pretty appropriate given the lad's proclivity for Japanese smokers.
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I think 'RingDing' is pretty appropriate given the lad's proclivity for Japanese smokers.
I remember that sound soooooo well!!
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Back in the very late 90's, maybe very early 00's, when forums like these were starting, I couldn't think of a name to use. A mate suggested ringding as, usually after a few beers, if we were talking about ride outs I'd end up vocalising the sound of my LC... ring-a-ding-ding....bwaaaaaaahhhhh!!!!!
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ring-a-ding-ding....bwaaaaaaahhhhh!!!!!
That's about it. Slightly different on my 350B, but a sound I got to love very quickly!!