Hello

[Whatnow]

hi
I'm not a motorcyclist..ain't considered myself safe on a mountain bike.
However at 55 maybe there is scope to be reborn.

I was given a 1957 A7 SS a couple of years ago by an elderly neighbour (95 y/o), it was bought by her deceased husband in 1984 as a project build to be ridden in his retirement.
Unfortunately he never got there and the SS has been under a tarp and blankets for nearly 30 years.
 One stormy summers day the garage was leaking badly and I came across the SS whilst making repairs. I asked about it, not with any intent but it was just a shame to leave it.

A deal of sorts was struck, I'd been helping to care for her for two years and wouldn't take money for being a good neighbour..
Restore it and keep it; sell as is and split the money; restore and sell it - split the profits.
She prefered that I keep it..her husband would have liked that.
I figured there was every chance I'd kick the bucket before the bike was built.
The old girl passed away recently and the A7 had to be moved.

So here I am, potentially £2k into a shopping list. the bike as seen is a hand tight mock up bolted to the wall, untouched for 30 years.

Be prepared for lots of newby questions.

[Joolstacho]

Welcome mate, we look forward to your re-birth as a biker!

[WozzA]

You've come to the right forum for any & all information re the restoration.. 
You'll have her up & running in no time flat   

[Whatnow]

cheers, reckon there will be enough time to pass my CBT before its roadworthy

Only moved it at the weekend; two mates and a passer-by have made cash offers 'to take it off my hands'.
Don't know it's current value but by the ker-ching look in their eyes and 'parts' offer? I'm certainly not giving it away.

Frame and engine numbers are correct to its first change of ownership in 1977 although I was told that owner #2 '77-'84 had planned to turn it into a Rocket 500.

My build buddy said he knew both POs, the second being a complete and utter bodger

[Joolstacho]

And there's no such thing as a 500 'Rocket'. The 'Road Rocket' was a 650

[Whatnow]

And there's no such thing as a 500 'Rocket'. The 'Road Rocket' was a 650

As my mate said ' sounds about right for the bodger..another fake Rocket'

[a10 gf]

Great story. Welcome aboard.

[RichardL]

First, welcome! Great story, many here wish it had happened to us. Second, you have already overcome one of the trickier aspects, that is, successfully posting a properly formatted picture here on the forum.

I'm guessing this bike is not far from being a runner. It would be great if you had received the late gentleman's pile of receipts with the bike. Were it not for a little thing known as "the sludge trap" you could march ahead freely, however, there is, indeed, such a thing running through the centerline of the crankshaft rod journals. It's designed to trap particulate solids in the oil, with enough volume to last from rebuild to rebuild. Sitting 30 years may mean that whatever was last in the trap may have gooed-up, even if it was not already filled with solids. Blockage here means destroyed bearing shells and a crank grind or replacement. Soooooo, opening up the crankcase to check the sludge trap is the prudent thing to do. Along the way, you will either discover other issues to address or that the engine is in fabulous condition. Knowledge of either of those is a good thing.

Finally, please tell us your first name so we don't have to forever address you as "Whatnow."

Richard L.

[Topdad]

Welcome aboard  ,as others have said this is the place for help advice and ,importantly, somewhere to just moan when the bike rebuild gets tiresome ! The shooter is regarded by many as the sweetest BSA "A"  ,next step join the BSA owners club they can help confirm bike is original ( they hold BSA dispatch records )  ,then buy some whitworth imp spanners and finally if you don't understand something just ask on here ,these bikes are not rocket ships they were designed to be fixed by owners at the side of the road ,good luck and enjoy  ,Bob 

[Whatnow]

cheers Topdad.
I have a selection of 'funny' spanners 

[Worty]

Which bit of the world are you in Whaty? There may be some shady characters nearby that could help/lend a hand other than written good advice!

[muskrat]

G'day Whatnow 
Great story mate.
Your going to love change to two wheels.
My 57 A7SS has morphed into an A10RR+ Cafe.
As mentioned their not hard to work on and all  will be answered.
Cheers

[berger]

  hello enjoy your time fettling the bike, it has been said lots of times before that no question is a stupid one , but i may give stupid answers

[Whatnow]

Which bit of the world are you in Whaty? There may be some shady characters nearby that could help/lend a hand other than written good advice!

Northants based. I have a build buddy who is up for assisting in the project and knows a few characters. As mentioned he knew the first two owners in the logbook. Small world.
I think he's gagging to start

Think we'll manage; he's been repairing and re-building his own bikes for 40 years, I'm on a different learning curve, was more into Land Rovers and hot hatches on DCOEs.

[Worty]

I'm near Wakefield, by the way.  I think my nephew's getting married in Northants next year, although that may be Notts     Sounds like an excellent project, and some nice provenance with the bike.  If you're interested in mechanics, which you clearly are, then this'll be a great chance to learn more about these old classics.  All I'd add at this point is to take your time and use as much as the original stuff as possible.