New Member - Warwickshire UK

[a10 gf]

I can happily report the a10's now running well!

Thanks for the good news and progress report, always nice reading about positive results!

[fido]

Hi John, have you been to any meetings of the East Mids BSAOC? They are a good bunch and I still go if I'm over that way.

[duTch]

Hiya John-SF,
                  I've come along in your 'hiatus', good to see your enthusiasm and progress, I started building mine from a frame and minimal ancillaries, that I found at the local wrecker back in ~'77, had it rego'd (your MOT) a couple of times in the '80s, and started it briefly ~ 8 ago and last rode it about 12-14 yrs ago.....(I can't believe I just said that!!)... so that's a kick in the duds for me..!
     About that 'heavy' clutch, I read about a similar thing recently, and got thinking later that maybe it could just be the push-rod through the mainshaft being a bit gungy(notice that end with a 'y'), you can pull it out easy by taking the oval inspection cover off the gearbox, then the rod adjuster locknut and screw, and pull the rod out- a bit fiddly maybe at first, but you'll work it out? (if it doesn't come easy, a indication of problem, if easy, I could be wrong!!)
   If it's stiff give a squirt of penetrine type stuff up the hole, or better put something under the mainshaft nut to funnel stuff out, lean the bike to RHS, and give the shaft orifice a good reaming with solvent, then pump a bit of lube in(ideas on that?) and it should slide nice...?
    As I said I could be wrong, but you can't do harm 'specially after sitting so long .
 Cheers good luck with it cheers, duTch

[JSF]

Thanks again for the encouragement and kind words! I'm really looking forward to getting out on the bike (once I've decided on what to do with the clutch) so hopefully I can iron out any teething troubles and get a few miles on it.  Came back from the Manx GP full of enthusiasm having spent the week looking at old bikes so hopefully I can use this to my advantage before the winter comes!
This forum continues to be a fantastic help - think I'm going to end up reading every thread!
John

[JSF]

So - following lots of post reading and advice from these venerable pages, we fitted the Lyford clutch kit yesterday which seems to have transformed the need for gorilla like grip on the lever and as a result led to my first (admittedly short) ride on my A10!
Next weekend pencilled in to get it better adjusted and to fettle the brakes and we're hopefully nearly on the road.
John

[LJ.]

Hey John... All sounds good with the bike.... I'm wondering how Dad is enjoying all this and if his appetite is wetted for getting his own A10? Do tell.  

My own old chap, 81 now and passed his riding days, loves to hear of every ride I take. How i'd loved to have ridden with him. I hope yours is not too old to take a bike out.

[JSF]

Hi LJ

My dad thinks I'm a bit mad as he had loads of BSA's as daily transport and pulling sidecars (with me in!) and has now gotten rather comfy with his (albeit modified) BMW. 

Secretly I think (know) he's very much enjoying tinkering with the bike, and it's a great 'lad and dad' activity but I think he's got too many bad memories of working on them on a sunday evening to get to work the next day! Luckily my use will be somewhat different.  He did hand his nose over A65's at Stafford though...

He's also very much still on 2 wheels so it's great that we can have rides out.  Hoping for a short ride this weekend if I can find an insurance quote that's sensible!

Cheers

John

[RichardL]

...of Dads and bikes. My Dad would have been 109 this year, so his riding days (if he ever had any) are definately over. Nonetheless, I have attached a photo of him (in the sidecar) and my Uncle Al sitting on what I think is an Excelsior. The photo is circa 1925 in the Philipines. Dad was a submariner in the U.S. Navy.  

Richard L.

Edit: Turns out to be a Harley, I think, according to the second photo.

[Topdad]

Great picture Richard , must have been a tough old guy (not to mention extremely brave) to be in Sub's at that time or indeed any time. Regards BobH

[JSF]

A quick update - bike is now taxed and insured so off for an initial wobble around this Sunday!

Really looking forward to my first ride (and I believe the bikes since 1978!)

Will let you know how I get on and thanks again for pointing me in the right direction with my beginner questions.  For additional help I've also joined the Warwks VMCC who seem a most friendly bunch to help me continue my learning curve! 

John