Hi Muskrat
You're right, the bike is a '57 and was a completely standard A7 when I bought it. Being young at the time I decided to make it a sort of cafe racer (I lived near the famous Ace Cafe in London). Modifications were exchange front wheel and fork bottoms for those from a '60 A10 that I bought from a friend; as you can see, the cylinder head is from a Shooting Star and I fitted spitfire cams, TT carb, siamese pipes, goldy silencer (or should that be loudener), ace drops etc. But, at the latest major rebuild (1988) I realised that even a normal family car was faster so I decided to return it to standard Shooting Star specification (but I prefer black). Over the years I have tackled a good number technical problems, mostly due to inferior replacement parts in the 80s and early 90s. So it now has a Triumph 4 spring clutch (light, no drag and no slip) instead of the standard BSA 6 spring. I 've also fitted a Rocket Three oil filter in the return feed etc.
I'll have look at the technical threads now 'cause I've had an ongoing problem with poor tolerance of the original crankshaft cush drive components.
Thanks to everyone who has welcomed me to your forum.
Cheers
Dick