Bsa a7 recommission

[Kwkevy]

Have just bought my first BSA , A lifetime ambition finally achieved. It's a 1957 A7 , it's been dry stored . Any advise on recommissioning it would be appreciated 👏

[Catz]

When i bought my A10 this forum offered me no end of advice and it was possibly the best advice to be given.
It all depends on how handy with the spanners you are. I stripped my A10 right down to the crankshaft and that's needed to clean out the sludge trap which is in the centre of the crankshaft. The only way to tell if it's been done is to do it yourself. I could go on but others will be along soon with their advice.
Welcome to the club by the way, you're definitely in the right place.

[limeyrob]

If you can get as much info from the previous owner.  As mentioned - has the sludge trap been cleaned?  What bore is is it etc.  This can help you a lot when deciding what to do.

[Swarfcut]

 Search for Barn Find Bikes....I wrote a piece a while back on the hazards of just jumping on the kicker. In essence it deals with ensuring the engine is free and the lubrication system functional.  Sludge traps, magneto ignition and the delights of wiring faults and carbs that don't......... all await.

 Bike pictured is the 56/57 model with Ariel Alloy hubs. Looks to be unmolested, but you never know, eh, Worty.

 Swarfy.

[limeyrob]

I had exactly like that but red tank.  Its was lovely, like a set of comfy slippers. Its wasn't fast but it was really comfortable and did everything you asked.  For a bet I once did a lap of a car park 7 up .  The Aerial hubs are nice, quite decent brakes and very nice to adjust.

[Rex]

Remove and check the oil pump rotates as it should. The Mazak swells and nips up the shaft if left in dirty oil.

[CheeserBeezer]

Buying at auction is a risk! I would start her up and check the oil is circulating. Then check over the usual safety stuff to M.O.T. standards. Taking the primary chaincase and timing cover off is easy so that would be worth doing, checking the oil pump as stated previously. If all seems OK you could run it round the block with your fingers crossed (metaphorically!). The only alternative is a complete strip down. If there are mechanical issues you probably won't make them much worse by running it but, first sign of trouble, stop and investigate. Any info from the P.O. would be useful....if you can trust him!

[chaterlea25]

Hi Kwkevy,
Two relatively easy tasks before firing it up
Drain and wash out the oil tank, sludge gathers at the bottom over years and is first to get sucked into the engine
Remove and clean the sump filter , look for any chunks of crank shim which indicate that the cush drive nut was not done up properly

Hopefully the magneto was rebuilt properly at some time since 1956/7 and it produces sparks

John

[limeyrob]

+ 1 for clean the oil tank - my Matchless had a nice rebuilt engine and a pile of metal flakes in the bottom of the oil tank.  Washed it out with petrol and was horrified.  Ditto cush drive nut, I've never seen an A7/10 without a great gouge in the timing cover.

[muskrat]

G'day Kwkevy 
All good advice #1 clean out the oil tank and sump filter.
My Cafe started life as a 57 A7SS, raced for 9 years then converted to A10CR for the road.
I know after the first ride you'll love it.
Cheers

[a10 gf]

Thanks for intro, very nice machine!