Paint Layout for 1958 A10 Golden Flash Petrol Tank

[Petergj]

Hi folks, I am in the process of restoring a 1958 A10 Golden Flash and struggling with the layout of the black paint on the chromed petrol tank and whether there was any pin striping, maybe in gold.
Does anyone have some original photos or drawings of a black/chrome petrol tank for a 1958 A10 Golden Flash that would help me with the restoration of the tank?
I have not been able to find anything on this site or the BSAOC web site.
Any help much appreciated.
Regards,

[jhg1958]

Lined red according to Roy Bacon book.

“A10 1959-59 in the style of 1958 A7 with black or beige in the place of princess grey.

A7 1958-59 princess grey mudguards ……. And petrol tank , which has chrome plated side panels lined red. “

John

[CheeserBeezer]

I think the red lining applies to the tanks in Princess Grey. If the Roy bacon book you are referring to is the 'Twins and Triples' book I suggest you look at pages 45 and 51 which show 1957 versions of the A7 and A10 with tanks with gold lining. I think 1958 paint schemes for the tanks were the same as far as the black version is concerned. I think it is generally accepted that the blank tanks had a single gold line on the border of the black / chrome.

[Petergj]

John, thanks for your comments and helping me understand the various colour schemes mentioned in Roy Bacon's "BSA Twin Restoration" book.
However, when I do an internet search for 1958 Golden Flash motorcycle photos, the majority have a gold lining and I tend to agree with CheeserBeezer on the lining colour. The comments from you both are appreciated - what a great forum this is!
Now I know I need a new fuel tank as mine needs re-chroming which will be prohibitively expensive. Does anyone know the difference between the 1958 Golden Flash tank (42-8102) and a 1954-1957 tank (42-8048)?
Again, any comments appreciated.
Thanks!

[jhg1958]

Peter
I had my tank de-chromed to remove a dent but then found a second hand tank in good condition. I have seen some A10 with silver sides but the chrome was important to me.

As for the lining, it is paramount that the bike looks right to you. I am not a purist and happy to change things if that is what I prefer. If you compromise (especially with a tank) then this will just niggle you and interrupt the joy these bikes can bring.

My painter did not do lining but then it has never bothered me.

There is lots of forum comments on Indian made tanks mostly positive, that is an option worth considering.

John

Best of luck.

[CheeserBeezer]

John, thanks for your comments and helping me understand the various colour schemes mentioned in Roy Bacon's "BSA Twin Restoration" book.
However, when I do an internet search for 1958 Golden Flash motorcycle photos, the majority have a gold lining and I tend to agree with CheeserBeezer on the lining colour. The comments from you both are appreciated - what a great forum this is!
Now I know I need a new fuel tank as mine needs re-chroming which will be prohibitively expensive. Does anyone know the difference between the 1958 Golden Flash tank (42-8102) and a 1954-1957 tank (42-8048)?
Again, any comments appreciated.
Thanks!

I think that the knee grips sit higher up on the later tank. In 1958, the bottom of the knee grip sits about 3/4" above the bottom of the tank whereas, pre '58, the bottom of the kneegrip is virtually level with the bottom of the tank. Compare pages 47 and 50 in the Bacon book (which isn't always correct but I think it is on this occasion).

[RogerSB]

Top photo ? 1958 GF (pinched from a vintage rally photo).
Bottom photo is of my own January 1960 GF, which as far as I know is original.
Whichever, it looks like black tanks had a gold pinstripe.
May help.
Rog.

[trevinoz]

1954-57 Flash tank has pressed metal badges.

[Craigy]

Here’s a couple of pics of my 1959 A10.

The gold strip is gold leaf, not sure if it was leaf or gold paint originally

Cheers Craig

[limeyrob]

If you find yourself anywhere near the New Forest then pay a visit to the Sammy Miller Museum. Its great and well worth it and you may get to see Sammy riding some of the collection, the day we went (last Sunday) he rode the supercharged AJS round the car park none too slowly (he's 90!)
Point is there is a row of BSA's with an RGS, RR and GF all in perfect original condition that make a great reference source.  And the most gorgeous ally framed A10 special.