Author Topic: Introduction  (Read 584 times)

Offline David Tinsley

  • A's Good Friend
  • ***
  • Join Date: Sep 2021
  • Posts: 132
  • Karma: 0
Introduction
« on: 26.09. 2021 01:41 »
Just a post to introduce myself. I am located in Ontario, Canada.
I just bought a 1955 A10 Golden Flash. The bike is complete and in fairly good condition. First job is to figure out why the kickstarter will not return, which should be fairly straightforward. Finding neutral is also a bit of a problem so will be chasing that one down.
I intend to clean the sludge trap as the previous owner had no idea if or when it had last been done.
Over the last few years I have rebuilt a 69 A65L, A B44SS and a 62 C15, but I always fancied a pre unti, mainly because I think it looks good and reminds me of my childhood in the UK when they were common. I have no experience with pre-unit set ups and I have no experience with magnetos or dynamos on bikes so I will be picking brains.
My daily ride is a Kawasaki W800 2019 street. Lovely bike, but it needs no maintenance which I perversely enjoy!
I expect I will have lots of questions for the forum.

1955 A10 Golden Flash

Offline scotty

  • Resident Legend
  • *****
  • Join Date: Aug 2008
  • Posts: 569
  • Karma: 9
Re: Introduction
« Reply #1 on: 26.09. 2021 02:28 »
Welcome David

Great looking bike

Sounds like those cold winter Ontario evenings will just fly by sorting out your Flash.

S

Scotty

Current liabilities:
'56 A10 Dark Flash
‘74 Berlin Bomber R75-6

Offline Swarfcut

  • Wise & Enlightened
  • *
  • Join Date: Oct 2018
  • Posts: 2379
  • Karma: 57
Re: Introduction
« Reply #2 on: 26.09. 2021 08:01 »
 Welcome along David. Looks as if the bike has had some changes and improvements. A later tasty twin leading shoe front brake and possibly a later front mudguard. My guess is the fork sliders are also non standard and from the later unit range to match the brake, and you will be familiar with these.

 Neutral is always a bit hit and miss at standstill, it will  usually click in easily if selected as you come to a halt. Clutch drag is the usual cause. Kickstart quadrant and return spring come out of the box with the outer gearbox cover, all well documented on the Forum. Early quadrants can be moved round on the kickstart shaft splines. Later types are fixed.

 At this stage with an unknown engine I reckon its better keep off detergent type oils, so any sludge stays in place. After a full strip down, modern oils and a filter on the return oil line is the way to go. Expect some internals not to be standard, I have the feeling time has been spent on what's inside rather than external bling. The bad news is that just like the A65 the bike is built around the sludge trap. On an early crank an example is in the palm of your hand. Yes, it's air, or rather simple oilway drillings in the crank and to clean these requires a nut and bolt teardown. You know this, other innocents have no idea. Later crank is considerably more complicated to clean.

 Looks a good useable machine.  Hammer and Chisel maintenance compared to the Kwakker.

Swarfy

Offline Greybeard

  • Jack of all trades; master of none.
  • Wise & Enlightened
  • *
  • Join Date: Feb 2011
  • Posts: 9982
  • Karma: 50
Re: Introduction
« Reply #3 on: 26.09. 2021 08:08 »
 *welcome*
I really fancy one of those W800's 👍
Greybeard (Neil)
2023 Gold Star
Supporter of THE DISTINGUISHED GENTLEMAN'S RIDE https://www.gentlemansride.com

Warwickshire UK


A Distinguished Gentleman Riding his 1955 Plunger Golden Flash

Online bsa-bill

  • Wise & Enlightened
  • *
  • Join Date: Mar 2006
  • Posts: 5720
  • Karma: 66
Re: Introduction
« Reply #4 on: 26.09. 2021 10:08 »
Hi and welcome *wave*
All the best - Bill
1961 Flash - stock, reliable, steady, fantastic for shopping
1959 Rocket Gold Flash - blinged and tarted up  would have seizure if taken to  Tesco

Offline a10 gf

  • Global Moderator
  • Wise & Enlightened
  • **
  • Join Date: Sep 2006
  • Posts: 3230
  • Karma: 57
  • West Coast, Norway & Alpes Maritimes, France
    • A10 GF
Re: Introduction
« Reply #5 on: 26.09. 2021 14:01 »
Thanks for fine intro, welcome!
Nice machine (and nice front brake!)


Stand with
A10 GF '53 My A10 website
"Success only gets you a ticket to a much more difficult task"

Offline muskrat

  • Global Moderator
  • Wise & Enlightened
  • **
  • Join Date: Jul 2009
  • Posts: 11046
  • Karma: 132
  • Lithgow NSW Oz
    • Shoalhaven Classic Motorcycle Club Inc
Re: Introduction
« Reply #6 on: 26.09. 2021 20:39 »
G'day David  *welcome*
Nice bike mate. Will be interesting as to what you find inside the motor.
Cheers
'51 A7 plunger, '57 A7SS racer now a A10CR, '78 XT500, '83 CB1100F, 88 HD FXST, 2000 CBR929RR ex Honda Australia Superbike .
Australia
Muskys Plunger A7