Author Topic: Your advice and wisdom, please!  (Read 1738 times)

Offline chaterlea25

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Re: Your advice and wisdom, please!
« Reply #15 on: 07.09. 2022 22:07 »
Hi Stephen, and All
Stephen, a little more backround information would help others offering "advice"
Are you currently riding motorcycles?
Are you handy with the spanners?
Do you have access to a reasonable garage/workshop?
Does your domestic situation allow you to disappear "down the shed" for the next couple of years

I am a similar age and have rebuilt / restored quite a few motorcycles and have most facilities to hand
(ie, full time work on bikes 2010 -2020) after redundancy 2009
back in 2009 I had 4 motorcycles to restore/ rebuild for myself, none have been completed  *sad2*
So I decided to close the workshop to customers and finish my own bikes while I have time (fingers crossed)
In our mid sixties none of us have any idea of the time we have left and are more likely (me for 1) to have health problems that curtail our best intentions

Faced with your situation, do you enjoy riding bikes or working in the shed more?
If you want to ride and do not have other bikes,  sell the BSA and buy a runner (preferably from a longer term owner enthusiast)

John

1961 Super Rocket
1963 RGS (ongoing)

Offline Rex

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Re: Your advice and wisdom, please!
« Reply #16 on: 08.09. 2022 08:43 »
A lot of doom-and-gloom was predicted when the MoT test was scrapped for older vehicles, and no doubt there are bikes out there with faults that would have failed the test, but it seems the official thinking was largely correct in that if you ride an old bike then maintenance is a high priority anyway.
I have two patina'd bikes (the A7 isn't one of them) and both have been gone through by me thoroughly both for safety and reliability. Original paint doesn't make an unsafe bike.
That said, it seems to be riders of later (usually mundane) japanese bikes who go for the "as found" look and take it to a ridiculous degree. 

Online groily

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Re: Your advice and wisdom, please!
« Reply #17 on: 08.09. 2022 08:51 »
The 'scrapping the MOT' concept referred by GB and its effect of slackening people's attitudes to their machines may well be right in some cases, I don't disagree with that at all. And Rex's point is spot on. But as Mitch says, not in all cases.
However, in countries where there has never been an MOT equivalent, like France, it's a moot point. And will remain one, now that the latest EU-driven attempt to impose regular tests has been scrapped through the unceasing efforts of the various motorcycle associations over here. The FFMC - Federation of French Motorcyclists 'en colère' (angry) is a formidable Motorcyclists' Action Group-like organisation.

Despite that, I wouldn't say the prevalence of clearly unroadworthy unrestored machines is any higher here than in the UK because most are well looked-after with their patina protected carefully - but the existence of some unroadworthy machines, restored or not, can't be gainsaid.

If there is one give-away for me it's the widespread use of solderless screw-on nipples on BRAKE cables  . . . (for chrissake). I'm not sure if some makers actually used these things from new on lightweights or whatever  . . . but when I see them used on quite potent machines it gives me that churning feeling in the guts.

A second clue is the failure to have any semblance of a working electrical system, apart from a magneto. In France, pre-'65 stuff doesn't need lights on by day (unlike in say Germany or Spain) but the lights are supposed to work if required.  A lot of machines don't even have a battery fitted, let alone a working generator.
The advent of the Alton alternator, made here of course, has led to a significant improvement among Brit iron owners prepared to invest, but that still leaves a lot of blacked-out beasts trundling around. It's to be hoped that the proportion with illuminations will continue steadily to improve. (In this department, lightweights are often 'better' owing to their simple flywheel alternators.)

Frequency of 'failure to proceed' is a reasonable indicator of how well things are maintained I guess.
In the 20+ years I've been playing in France, the incidence of breakdowns on days out, and the signs of neglect and / or glaring incompetence have reduced considerably luckily, to the extent that quite often a support van or trailer isn't needed even for quite adventurous excursions. So there has been an overall improvement in habits, as breakdowns were part and parcel of most outings 15 or more years ago.
But when it comes to the few that do pack up, it's a quid to a pinch of s**t it's a shiny one!
Bill

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Re: Your advice and wisdom, please!
« Reply #18 on: 08.09. 2022 10:20 »
My tuppence worth , my present bike is 90% the bike I bought back in1967 from my firm where i was a motorcycle salesman,who loved getting his hands dirty, oringinally a 59 shooter which I fell in love with and prayed noone would buy, the bike always being well hidden from the public didn't go unnoticed by my canny boss ,eventually it disappeared and was forgotten but a move for the workshop to our bigger premises brought it back ,Brod my boss said "you know that shooter you had your eye on I ve been asked to get rid do you what it " It turned out that the bike had been chosen to be the apprentices restoration project " and was in boxes except the bigger bits, assured it was all there and motor refurbed ,wheels rebuilt everything else in primer I bought it for £20 and as i say i've still got 90% ofher  (other 10% lost to toe rags who nicked the frame)  Now to the point I put that bike back together used it until kids mortgae etc saw it dismantled put in boxes and stored in the shed for for 30 yrs .
Now the point of this ramble , at that stage I believe iwas at the same point as our friend who posted this thread , a good mate got fed up of my moanings and gave me a verbal kick up the idiot ,basically" I've found you aframe ,its even got an 8" brake and forks soeither go get it or sell the f**King thing " i was  anbout 55  then so not that far away from the author ,i went got the frame and wheel and did a full resto , had to relicence to tax and mot and most importantly I love it and have done for the last 17yrs plus ,so if money no option go get it done my friend the feeling on that first ride will make you feel 17 yrs old again, My wife smiles every time she hears my bootheels says just the same as when you and I were courting so  A10's not just a great bike but a partial time machine ,either way best of luck Bob
" rules are made for the guidance of wise men and the blind obediance of fools"
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Offline RichardL

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Re: Your advice and wisdom, please!
« Reply #19 on: 08.09. 2022 18:18 »

I used to be acquainted with a bike builder who would turn out immaculate machines, one of which suffered a catastrophic rear wheel failure and killed it's rider.


Mitch,

That's a bit of a wakeup. Next time my bike is ready to ride I'll be taqqqking a real careful look at those wheels (and everyting else that could end Richard L.).

Bob,

"Time machine" is exactly how I think of my bike.

Stephen,

I can understand your quandry, but many of us are thinking that, if it was ours, it would already be apart. Nevertheless do what's best for you. Maybe you'd like to be our guinea pig for what it's like to own a brand new Gold Star?   *smile* (Or, maybe, a new
 Triumph Bonneville, the descendant of the bike I drooled over when visiting Bud Ekin's shop in Van  Nuys, California 57 years ago, or so.)

Richard L.


Offline RichardL

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Re: Your advice and wisdom, please!
« Reply #20 on: 08.09. 2022 18:41 »
No sooner had I stopped thumb typing, Elizabeth II was gone.

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Re: Your advice and wisdom, please!
« Reply #21 on: 09.09. 2022 08:09 »
Ithink most older people had a soft spot for Lizzie , just been emailing Woz, He calls Charles Rex "big ears"I said no He's an a**e hole but then remembered that organ is useful and hard working !
" rules are made for the guidance of wise men and the blind obediance of fools"
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Offline Swarfcut

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Re: Your advice and wisdom, please!
« Reply #22 on: 09.09. 2022 08:20 »
 I've just gone back to the beginning and now we have a bit more about the engine failure, here are a few more thoughts.

 This bike is substantially complete. Does it have any papers?  First step would to see if it is on the DVLA database, if not take steps to get the number retained and a V5 Document issued. Whether restored to running order or sold on as a project, this is a clean hands exercise that adds value.

 When I mentioned  "Oily Rag" I meant a simple clean and preservation of the existing major components to prevent further deterioration. Sure, the chrome has rust, but the rusty wheels will still turn, the exhaust still works. Restoring and replacing these parts to look like new costs big money, leave that to someone else. However, safety critical parts must be A1 If you intend to use it on the road. Wheels will be the biggest expense here.

  Enginewise,  all the parts are available, but a few pictures will help us get a handle on what's what and how bad it is.

 Can't be worse than this, which was successfully coaxed back into life.

 Swarfy

Offline chaterlea25

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Re: Your advice and wisdom, please!
« Reply #23 on: 09.09. 2022 22:27 »
Hi All
Quote
the rusty wheels will still turn

I have been bitten quite badly when a front wheel tube went Bang *ex* and pitched me over the top back in 2001
The puncture was caused by a piece of peeling chrome.. Although I had given the wheel a really good power wire brushing and new tyre tube and rim tape

Since then I am paranoid about rust on rims and inner tube quality

John
1961 Super Rocket
1963 RGS (ongoing)

Online groily

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Re: Your advice and wisdom, please!
« Reply #24 on: 10.09. 2022 06:47 »
Hi All
Quote
the rusty wheels will still turn

Since then I am paranoid about rust on rims and inner tube quality

John

Me too (paranoid that is). Michelin Moto X tubes are as thick as some tyre walls almost, and although they are more expensive and a big pain to fit especially on front rims, they are my preferred ones. Really really heavy duty. I have one or two rims that aren't exactly pristine  . . . and have also had tubes chafe and fail.
Bill

Offline bikerbob

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Re: Your advice and wisdom, please!
« Reply #25 on: 10.09. 2022 15:48 »
Well getting back to the original post, I am going to be very blunt. Make your mind up now ether sell it or restore it don't put it off any longer. If you want to sell it you can not sell it as a basket case because it is not a basket case it is a complete bike. My first restoration was a basket case it was a complete bike in bits a supposed A10 but it was different models and years, but I had it restored and on the road in under a year. Now if you are going to restore it only you know what skills time and finance you have available if you have not got enough of those 3 things then sell it, you don't have to go for a full pristine restoration you could just get it into a good roadworthy rideable state and enjoy it. So please make a decission and act on it. also let us here on the forum know what you have decided and if restoring keep us informed with pictures if possible.
56 A7 s/a
63 A65

Offline Greybeard

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Re: Your advice and wisdom, please!
« Reply #26 on: 10.09. 2022 17:01 »
Ooh, bossy boots!
Greybeard (Neil)
2023 Gold Star
Supporter of THE DISTINGUISHED GENTLEMAN'S RIDE https://www.gentlemansride.com

Warwickshire UK


A Distinguished Gentleman Riding his 1955 Plunger Golden Flash

Offline Byfleet Beeza

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Re: Your advice and wisdom, please!
« Reply #27 on: 10.09. 2022 22:23 »
Hello, All.
The bike has a V5, etc.
The wheels haven'a flake of chrome left
I haven't been on a bike for 25 years.
I have full UK m/cycle licence
I have a Tiger Cub also in appalling condition but complete, not seized, but can't get it to spark..... (also not touched for 25 years).
I shouldn't have started on the A10, but I had a friend who inspired me to start. Should have known better as he had a RE Constellation he'd taken to bits, and never re-assembled.
My main mentor with several old bikes unfortunately moved abroad 30 years ago, so I have what I have and although competent in head gaskets, am a bit lost with the bottom end, timing, etc..
I've decided if I can to get the Cub usable, perhaps will be inspired to progress the A10.

Quite frankly, and some of you will shout 'shame', it is not worth selling the A10 because A) I won't find another and B) the proceeds will earn £20 pa interest.

I think your combined advice has now clarified my mind to try to get on with it!

Thanks, all, and thank you for not being blatantly rude and agressive about it!





Steve
'54 A10 Plunger
A10 and some other rusting beauties

Offline chaterlea25

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Re: Your advice and wisdom, please!
« Reply #28 on: 10.09. 2022 22:49 »
Hi Steve,
Thanks for the update,
Since its been 25 years since you have been motorcycling I would advise getting some lessons before getting back on the road, A lot has changed in that time  *ex*
The group here will pitch in and help you with any questions on the A10

John
1961 Super Rocket
1963 RGS (ongoing)

Offline roys51a10

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Re: Your advice and wisdom, please!
« Reply #29 on: 10.09. 2022 22:56 »
To give you some incentive. Mine was in a garage for 50 years. I took it apart made sure everything was serviceable. New wheel bearings, head bearings, loom, seat, tyres, fork seals, reground valves, cleaned sludge trap. (Almost blocked)+ gaskets etc. Engine is basic to work on if your're careful. This forum is full of good info as i found out. Now up and running loving it.
Dads 1951 A10