New to the forum and starting from scratch.....

[dgrif130]

Good evening- hoping this is the right place to post this, but I’m brand new to the forum and about to undertake my first bike project......I’ve recently dug my late fathers 1955 A10 out of the back of a cattle barn/bike store and decided to give myself a project. I’m certainly aware of the extent of work needed, it’s going to be a Labour of love and hoping to restore to original, I’m looking for a few early pointers......
Advice on best literature- Roy bacon etc??
Any regular ‘pitfalls’ things to watch out for?
Direction for sourcing parts and tools

I’m sorry it’s vague but totally starting with 0 experience........

[beezermacc]

You're very lucky to have a project which is assembled. At least you can document and photo things as you dismantle them. You'll get heaps of advice on this forum and, if you have no previous experience, there isn't enough time and space to provide all the advice you need. Here's a couple of snippets from me..... Crucially, join the BSA Club and attend your local branch, buy the correct tools (Whitworth spanners and sockets), anything you're not sure about - don't do it!... ask on this forum first as you'll get a response within minutes. Don't worry about posting on the forum repeatedly maybe five times a day, we love trying to fix other people's problems! Try to plan your project in stages so that you don't run out of enthusiasm! Don't attempt jobs which you think are outside your scope (after researching the skills required) farm these jobs out to specialists.
Many congratulations on your new endeavour - it will change your life for the better and open up a completely new avenue of friendship for you.
Welcome to this most friendly and useful forum!

[Greybeard]

Hya!
I have a '55 Plunger A10 that was complete when I rebuilt it. They are lovely machines. What spannering experience do you have?

[RichardL]

Welcome to the forum! Personally, I am excited for this. This bike looks to be complete and a survivor. There is definitely a school of thought that the barn wear is patina that should be preserved, only dismantling the mechanics for repair/restoration, then, reassembly back as if untouched. Sorry, but I'm wishy-washy on the topic. I suppose that if it had been in running condition since new, preservation is a stronger case. If everything must come apart, shiny is a reward after all the hard work.

All this said, I supoose one of my plunger-specific friends here will soon identify some non-standard bits that opt away from preservation, regardless.

Do ask plenty of questions (from how to loosen stuck nuts to how to reassemble the engine, and more), none are too trivial or complex. Also, post lots of pics.

Finally, thanks for the excellent introduction.

Richard L.

[Simon59]

It's gold as well - excellent! I've nearly finished restoring a plunger framed A10, starting from a condition similar to your new project. I've taken two years so far and I hope that I'll start it up for the first time this weekend... 

This forum is a great place to be, the expertise and friendliness are second to none. I look forward to reading about your restoration. At first glance I see that you are missing the oil tank and battery carrier/air filter, the latter are hard to find. But ask any question and we're only to happy to share what we know with you. Welcome aboard!

[Simon59]

Here's my before and (nearly) after photos for you to look at, and hopefully make you smile! Cheers, Simon

P.S.where abouts do you live as I have a few tools that I can lend you...

[Greybeard]

Looking great Simon. Maybe both of our bikes will be at Cheshire camp this year.

[Swarfcut]

   How nice is that, to find a relatively complete machine with a known history. I would have a good look around the barn for the missing parts..looks like the original speedo is absent, the genuine articles are expensive, but a pattern cheapo copy will just about do the job. Air filter units are also rare and relatively expensive, but headlights, switchgear etc are readily available. At first sight the chain guard is not strictly the correct original part, or has been modified.

 How you proceed is up to you, but in the short term a good clean and a looky look at what you have found is a better way than ripping it apart straight away in a burst of short lived enthusiasm. Lots of help on the Forum, search for "Barn Find Bikes."

         
   Don't just jump on the kicker, damage can be caused to the oil pump if it has seized.

   Don't be afraid to ask....we have all been down this road at some time and there is wealth of practical and academic knowledge on the Forum.

 Joining the BSA owners club will help in retaining the registration number if you want to use it on UK roads and the original documents are mislaid. By my reckoning the registration number is a "numbers first" format, which did not come into use until around 1959.  Frame number is on the left side of the headstock, format gives useful dating information. Engine number left side of crankcase, just below cylinder barrel.

 

 Regards and welcome along.

 Swarfy.

[Greybeard]

By my reckoning the registration number is a "numbers first" format, which did not come into use until around 1959.

I'm 99.9% sure my bike has it's original 1955, numbers first, registration.

[Swarfcut]

   Yes GB, it seems some areas with a greater volume of registrations reversed the format to numbers first earlier, as their allocation was used sooner.  I would say the numbers first  format was not in full general use before 1960. My first bike in 1959 was a letters first, and Dad's car, 1957, was also letters first. His 1961 new car was numbers first. Our first vehicle with letters/number/year letter suffix was 1964, this change was introduced to certain areas in 1963, full national coverage with suffix "B" in 1964.

 Swarfy.

[Topdad]

Welcome you'll have some fun with that , lovely bikes plungers!!
Swarfy,  yes when that letter system came in initially some areas didn't use it running through numbers , Liverpool was I believe one of the last to change . I have seen some but only a few "A" reg  but the "B" was surely country wide . cheers Bob

[Rocket Racer]

my suggestion would be to take careful stock of what you have and think about what you want to end up with.
so how rusty is the fuel tank? will it clean up inside and hold fuel (ignoring the paint)
What state is the oil tank, bone dry and crusty or full of sludge. They will both need a good internal clean. they also tell you a story and guide what you need to do.

I personally like crusty bikes that are reliable. so my recommendation is to spend on the bits that will make it run well reliably, not on shiny stuff
Grease all the nipples you can find on it, put some oil in the forks. If the plugs come out stick some oil in there too, the engine will need a good clean out as a minimum.
Was it parked up because it broke down?
are the silencers rotten or just crusty?

on the rims and exhausts (all chrome brightwork) get a roll of aluminium tinfoil from the kitchen and clean up the rims (its soft and neutralises the rust), give the bike a wash and remove the dirt. Dont rush in.
find yourself a space to work in, boxes to put things in, join your local BSAOC or vintage club and savor the journey
looks like the seat foam has perished leightons are the people to sell you a new one http://www.rk-leighton.co.uk/bsa/
oh and post lots of pics 

[muskrat]

G'day degrif. 
Thanks for the intro.
My A7 was in similar (worse) condition when dragged out of the chook shed.
What a great way to start! As mentioned the Forum is the go to place for info. Remember there is no such thing as a stupid question (there might be a few silly answers).
Cheers

[Bsalloyd]

Take as many photos as possible, for every angle. The photo you don’t take is the one you need during reassembly. If you can roll the bike outside on a cloudy day you will get better details, less reflection. Enjoy the forum, it has a ton of information. Ask away. Lloyd L

[KiwiGF]

Good evening- hoping this is the right place to post this, but I’m brand new to the forum and about to undertake my first bike project......I’ve recently dug my late fathers 1955 A10 out of the back of a cattle barn/bike store and decided to give myself a project. I’m certainly aware of the extent of work needed, it’s going to be a Labour of love and hoping to restore to original, I’m looking for a few early pointers......
Advice on best literature- Roy bacon etc??
Any regular ‘pitfalls’ things to watch out for?
Direction for sourcing parts and tools

I’m sorry it’s vague but totally starting with 0 experience........

I’m not a huge fan of www.draganfly.co.uk as a source of parts nowadays but they DO have the best website for finding part numbers, and they also ship to NZ relatively cheaply.....I found them great as a source of parts initially but then I crossed paths with a certain female employee.....having said that I’d suggest you try them and see for yourself.

I’ve also used Burtons, Feked, C+A for “general” parts (all uk based). C+A are old school “stars”  .

Great intro btw