Should I buy it or walk away rapidly?

[Two Sheds]

Greetings all, total newbie here. I had a 1972 750 MkIIA Fastback Commando back in the 1980s, and some mates had a couple of A10s and an A7 at the same time, but I've never had a BSA. My current daily ride is a Triumph Tiger 1050, but I guess that doesn't count for much in these parts?

Any road up, I'm keen on acquiring an A10 and went to see one recently. From close inspection I noticed (a) that it does not have a centrestand fitted, and (b) the (ancient) rear tyre is a sidecar tyre (actually marked "sidecar tyre"), with a very square cross section. From this even I could deduce that it has been hauling a sidecar around for at least some of it's life. It is a project, so I haven't had the opportunity of riding it to see how it rolls, but should I walk away on the basis that the frame "might" be bent, or would that be an overreaction? My intentions would be to treat it as a rolling project (it starts and runs and is complete, other than the centrestand and a missing chainguard, also the battery, but hey) so not sure I would want to strip it down to the frame and get it straightened/repaired.

Grateful for any thoughts.

Thanks
Martin

[Greybeard]

I think the answer depends on how much money you have. If you are loaded you could look around for a better looking bike. If you are on a budget, buy that one and sort it out.

[RDfella]

If it's been hauling a chair it'll have worked harder than a solo, so expect more wear re gearbox and suspension. My well have to change the latter and the gearbox sprocket as they're not the same for solos / combinations. Unlikely the frame will have suffered. Referring again to mechanicals, I would expect more wear, but these bikes are getting on and who's to know whether it's low mileage, well cared for or been bodged up by previous owners?

[Triton Thrasher]

You are over-thinking non problems.

[Greybeard]

My machine came to me with a sidecar chassis, which I made a body for and very quickly removed and flogged the whole chair. 
I suspect something is not quite correct as the bike doesn't go straight if I take both hands off the bars.  It's not enough of an issue to be a problem for normal riding.

I have changed the gearing to suit solo cruising. 

[beezermacc]

Should you buy it or walk away?.... depends very much on how confident you are in getting the project done and on the road in reasonable time... and money. I bet 75% of projects never get finished. Very often a project will cost more than a running bike, and with a running bike you get the pleasure of riding it straight away.

[berger]

mine used to have a sidecar , I only removed the fork springs 10 years ish ago , think I still have them lurking with the incy wincies somewhere I often take both hands off the bars--- when no-ones looking just to check she still runs true no deviation at all. there was when the front wheel  had been built up incorrect but that was easily sorted.

[Joolstacho]

If the price is in the ballpark, just buy the thing!

[duTch]

 Hiya T-S/Shed-Shed/S-S.....different year models have different stands, what year model is it (this can be determined from the frame/engine number prefixes)?
      What TT said- and even a running bike that has been 'rebuilt'/'restored' or original is still an unknown and a potential gamble that is well worth a internal diagnostic and so cannot always be relied upon, so if the pennies are in the ballpark is better than no bike.....

 It should only need to have the front-end removed to sit in a frame jig, but you should be able to do a rudimentary check without all that if the rear wheel is set up properly- you only know that it has a 'sidecar' tyre fitted but if you have no proof of the actual sidecar maybe was never done- that may have just been the only tyre 'available'..... there's probably many riding around that have hauled outfits and no-one's the wiser, ''what you don't know won't hurt''.....it is what it is, good luck

[Black Sheep]

When I took the sidecar off our A10 I was too mean/poor to change the sidecar tyres too -well, they had plenty of tread left. Handling was 'interesting' for several hundred miles before the profile wore to more of a solo one.  Unlikely the frame is bent.

[Greybeard]

The rear tyre of my bike is an Avon Skidmaster; it's nearly worn out and has a square profile. I don't lean hard.

[duTch]

 I also meant to say that as far as I can garner fromthe forum about swing arm centre stands they aren't really worth missing anyway- even if they do work ... (Plunger ones like mine are ok but still could be better) better off making a custom one that does

[Joolstacho]

Don't keep us in suspenders Martin, what's the price FFS!
(Then the cognoscenti will be able to tell you go or no-go)

[Swarfcut]

Martin, I can't see what model of bike it is, but there are essentially two versions of the A10, namely the early Rigid and Plunger Frame type and  the later Swinging Arm Frame.  Sidecar gearing is lower, so a quick check of the rear sprocket teeth will tell you if it is set up as combo, 49 teeth is usual when hauling a sidecar. Solo is 42 teeth.

 More important to you is the worry of the frame, so the usual visual check is that the wheels are in line, if it looks straight it probably is. Even so, its a complete bike, bar a few easily found bits, and a runner.  If it has papers, even better.  Get the tank off, and site the top tube by eye, feel for bends, bows, kinks. If it turns out not so good, its decision time based on the amount of hassle you are prepared to take.
 Straightening frames these days is relatively easy, the plunger frame comes apart in two pieces. Here the top tube bows sometimes, or kinks just behind the steering head lug if the bike has been shunted. The later frame is a one piece welded construction, the headstock slightly better braced and repairs are even easier.

 Decide if its for you and strike a deal. Value it on what it's worth to you, today. Without pictures or a detailed description giving a value here is hit and miss, better to compare with other bikes on sale and decide how it stacks up.

Swarfy

[Gerry]

Hi Martin, original centre stands do come up now and again but are expensive, usually around the $100AU or more. Beware of the Indian repos' they are not worth the trouble and are not of the correct material and have been know to break!! Cheers and good luck Gerry