Factory records

[Daxcobra]

Hi guys, just waiting for the mag to come back from Andrew at priory and will try to get this A10 up and running, have touched up some of the paintwork and will be fitting indicators, new stainless rear guard, etc, The bike isn't standard which doesn't worry me, T140 disc forks are fitted and flanged alloy rims front and rear, the tank is a new chrome one, new seat fitted, am curious to know the details of the bike leaving the factory in 1960, what is the best way to get those details? The V5 came back this week and engine shows DA10 ****** frame is shown as CB31****** so appears there were some changes along the way, just want to see the original details, I will post some pics once I get it ready for mot, it's not been on the road for a few years so looking forward to getting it back in running order.  Thanks. dave

[duTch]

 Hiya Dax, I'm no expert on anything, let alone UK rego, but if it has that frame #, the frame should have a kink in the right bottom tube under the timing cover for a B series single engine .
 If it has that frame# with the kink (for a singles oil pump), then someone has changed the engine .
 
 If no kink, and a different frame number to what you have, then in the past someone has switched a twin engine in, and then later the frame has been changed to match the engine

 So potentially on the information you've given, the bike you have doesn't really exist-

 If you know what I mean, like don't get me wrong, it's the same bike that came from the factory, but it just has a different frame and engine 

[Greybeard]

Reminds me of Trigger in Only Fools and Horses. He had the same broom for 20 years; only the handle was changed 10 times and the head changed 15 times!

[Daxcobra]

Yeh, thought that would be the case, there is no kink, and looking at the number on the frame I can't physically see the CB prefix shown in the V5 but the numbers match? Anyway still need to get the factory records so what's the best way for that?

[bikerbob]

Best way to get that info is to contact the the librarian on the BSA owners website for a fee he will give you the dispatch records which will give you the date it left the factory and which dealer it went to everything is dependent on the frame number. He will tell you if that engine was with that frame when it left the factory, all info is on the BSA owners website.

[Daxcobra]

Thanks Bob, I.ll do that.  Dave

[nimrod650]

possible the kink for the oil pump  has been cut out and replaced with a welded in piece of tube not a big job   done a couple myself and i have put the kink in a standard a10 frame

[Daxcobra]

 Yeh, also possible, once it's sorted and back on the road it won't be too long before I get the frame blasted and powdercoated so can check properly, thanks.  Dave

[Rocket Racer]

possible the kink for the oil pump  has been cut out and replaced with a welded in piece of tube not a big job   done a couple myself and i have put the kink in a standard a10 frame

Or someones changed the frame numbers as they had papers for that number...
But yes if CB31 then has either had the kink removed or wasnt a B31 frame originally.

I believe all the dispatch records are based on frame numbers which will only tell you when your B31/B33 was dispatched.
A lot of the pre unit twin motors do have a date stamping underneath the engine.

[KiwiGF]

From what the uk vmcc told me its easier for them to find engine numbers than frame numbers as the despatch book is in engine number order.

They usually will not tell you the matching number of a frame and/or engine, but I've heard you can go search yourself.

Even matching number bikes can be non origInal but if you after 100% originality then I guess its good to have the right numbers?

[Daxcobra]

Thanks guys, have spoken to Phil bull bsaoc, and pretty much all that has been said was correct, the engine number ai have relates to early 1960 as per the registration, will do some more research when it's stripped for paint at a later stage.  Dave