New BSA owner saying hello

[Bedfordbeeza]

As a first time BSA owner I just wanted to dip my toe in the water and say hello to all the a7/10 forum users.  I've  been reading lots of interesting posts on here and finding it a friendly, humorous, and Informative resource. 

Anyway,  I've recently aquired  a 1951 a7 plunger, an unfinished project mostly untouched since 1984. I'm the third owner from new after 38 years in the previous hands !! I'm delighted to finally own an old British bike as I've been interested in them for as long as I can remember, probably due to the many stories from my father who rode/abused Bantams in the GPO in the early 60's and went on to own many bigger faster machines.

My bike is rather incomplete, and I know I've got my work cut out but that's fine as I'm really looking forward to getting my teeth stuck into this bike.  It's missing the tank, seat, mudguards and some other original parts.  Because
Of what's missing and what's there I've decided to build it as an old racer.

Something like this:

http://i440.photobucket.com/albums/qq123/Tamsphotos08/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_3325_zps8rruuyyl.jpg

http://i440.photobucket.com/albums/qq123/Tamsphotos08/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_3331_zpsewwjsige.jpg


  The frame is in magnificent condition and already powder coated, it's got early Akront rims, twin leading shoe etc.  Included in the sale was a few spares, a set of barrels with pistons, 2 spare cranks, spare gearbox, several sets of hepolite piston rings, cables, crankcase half etc. I've decided to start at the front and work to the back.

Here it is:


http://i440.photobucket.com/albums/qq123/Tamsphotos08/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_3401_zpsugr8ef3z.jpg

http://i440.photobucket.com/albums/qq123/Tamsphotos08/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_3440_zpsm0xkmegb.jpg

http://i440.photobucket.com/albums/qq123/Tamsphotos08/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_3409_zps26oczvpb.jpg

http://i440.photobucket.com/albums/qq123/Tamsphotos08/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_3507_zpsxz6rigco.jpg

I'm currently rebuilding the forks installing progressive springs along the way, and intend to make my own damper rods using the drawings I found on this forum.  I've also purchased some very nice stainless steel clipons from Barlycorn engineering, gasser throttle, Amal grips and competition levers all in the spirit of an old racer. 

I'm sure I'll be asking plenty of questions from all the experienced folk on here so thanks in advance, my first question is can anybody identify the tank on the red white and blue bike.  Looking at other photos im thinking spitfire but I'm not 100% sure.  I do like the look of this tank on the a7.

Thanks all,
Tam

[a10 gf]

Welcome aboard, nice project! Hoping the forum will be helpful.

Pictures added as attachments and img links edited, see http://www.a7a10.net/forum/index.php?board=15.0 for image posting rules. Thanks.

[Greybeard]

 

[Bedfordbeeza]

Thanks guys, looks like I need to work out how to post pictures in the correct manner using an iphone as I generally don't use a PC.  I've just used photo bucket links as i had to on a previous forum i used a couple of years back.  I realise you have a direct insertion option but my photos are above the 1.5mb limit, but good old apple don't seem to give a resize option unless you're sending photos via email.

I'll get this figured out. Thanks

[PaulC]

Hi and welcome!

Send the photos by email to yourself and choose a smaller file size when prompted.

Paul

[Bedfordbeeza]

Thanks Paul, I'll give that a go next time. 👍

[a10 gf]

apple don't seem to give a resize option

Hello, try google.... apple image resize iphone
Lots of stuff available.

About the upload to forum vs external hosting, some years from now hosted photos may be rearranged\deleted\moved (or hosting changed etc), owner totally forgetting about many previous links posted around on the net ....and every photo disapears from their forum topics, making a topic more or less useless, and valuable info lost for future. Seen this already (too) many times here.

[muskrat]

G'day Bedfordbeeza,  .
Nice choice, I luv my 51A7 (not quite std in the motor department).
Your direction of build will certainly get you on the road quicker. Then gather the right bits over time as they drop in your lap.
I agree the tank does look Spitfireish.
Cheers

[tlmark]

Still a newbe hear myself  but hello and welcome

[bsa-bill]

Hi and welcome from the North East

[Bedfordbeeza]

Thanks for the welcome guys, and the photo uploading ideas !!

[Rocket Racer]

Great plan and welcome, you might like to google Gene Thiessen and also the BSA Daytona specials for further inspiration 
 The second photo are BSA legends Kenny Eggers and Dick Mann 
Tim

[bsa-bill]

Hi Tam
Once you get those photos sorted and your feet under the table here you might want to join the Forum Tee shirt owners club - more info here

http://recklesspromotions.uk/product-category/bsaforum/


cheers Bill

[Bedfordbeeza]

"Forum tshirt owners club" 😂😂😂

I'll be in the club as soon as I've sold my new old stock pistons on here.... c,mon guys roll up, roll up ...........

Managed to get photos sorted from the suggestions so thanks guys.

And Tim, thanks for the inspiration from the old photos of Kenny and Dick, I love those old historical photos.  But I noticed they didn't run front brakes 😳, bit scary for me.

[Mark_789]

Hi Bedfordbeeza,
Nice project. I'm also new on here and about 10 miles from you, assuming Bedfordgeeza isn't your real name :)