Author Topic: Hello , New here  (Read 1589 times)

Offline Duncan R

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Hello , New here
« on: 22.09. 2008 11:49 »
Hi,

Thought I would introduce myself, forum looks very active with a lot of knowledgable people and some great bikes. I noticed all the bikes are well apreciated wheather they be concours or ratters - which is a nice attitude.

I own a 1954 A7 (supposedley a shooting star) there is a bit of a story behind it. I bought it in 1995 in New Delhi in India whilst working there from 94 to 98. It was pulled off a heap of bikes and restored and I ran it around in India for 3+ years. The bike seemed to come with some sort of unlimited warranty as everytime something broke and I took it back to Vinod to repair he never charged me anything ! Overall it behaved it's self and never left me stranded.

I am sorry I don't have any digital photos I can post - the bike is in RGS colours and is a bit of a bitza! as far as I can tell it has a clutch off a M21 single, the mudguards I have no idea where they came from (but they look ok) Wheels were rebuilt using Royal Enfield Bullet rims. The numbers suggest it is a shooting star but it does not have the SS nacelle. After shipping it back to UK in 99 it was registered and put on the road, it ran very well after a magneto rebuild along with the cooler tempretures

Anyway, due to working abroad since 2001 the bike has been layed up in a friends garage and I will be back in the UK next year and am looking forward to sorting the old girl out and getting her back on the road. Looking forward to using the Forum in the future.

Best Regards

Duncan
Anglo - Indian A7SS (Actually is a 650)
Kawasaki ZZR 1100
BMW R80GS
BMW R1100GS

Offline tombeau

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Re: Hello , New here
« Reply #1 on: 22.09. 2008 14:06 »
Hi Duncan,
I'm a relative newbie myself but welcome.
Your bike sounds marvellous. I think we really do need to see some pictures.
Great story too.
Cheers,
Iain

Offline LJ.

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Re: Hello , New here
« Reply #2 on: 22.09. 2008 14:47 »
Nice introduction, thanks for that Duncan! Blimey India stirs some memories of when I was there (1986) and riding around New Delhi on an Enfield as pillion, I was terrified, also riding in the searing heat near Madurai in the south on a Matchless. Do keep us posted on your bike I'd love to hear of how them Indians kept those bikes going. Tell me... Is that a single spring clutch from out of an M21 or a six spring which would be correct anyway?

and welcome along to our fourum...  *smile*
Ride Safely Lads! LJ.
**********************
1940 BSA M20 500cc Girder/Rigid- (SOLD)
1947 BSA M21 600cc Girder/Rigid-Green
1949 BSA A7   500cc Girder/Plunger Star Twin-(SOLD)
1953 BSA B33  500cc Teles/Plunger-Maroon
1961 BSA A10  650cc Golden Flash-Blue
1961 BSA A10  650cc Golden Flash-Red

Offline Duncan R

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Re: Hello , New here
« Reply #3 on: 22.09. 2008 16:18 »
Thanks for the welcome guys - I don't have a scanner but I will see if can get some photos up.

It's increadable how the Indian mechanics keep all the old Brit stuff going, then again there is no shortage of old fashioned engineers (welders, machinists ect) once you get all the recomendations it is quite simple to get stuff done - if they don't have it they make it ! and if it don't work they keep at it until it does

I think I really need to get the engine sorted, although it runs well I think it is a bit of a timebomb  that could let go at anytime ! When I had the timingside bush replaced in India I watched them do it, the pistons are not BSA for sure (it doesn't smoke and there is lots of compression) it looked like the timingside journal has been reground a few times *eek*, at some point it had thrown a rod but the cases had been welded to good standard considering the equipment they must of had at the time,looking at the internals it has no right to run as well as it does. Fred Cooper restored the mag in the UK and handed me back a whole bag of bodged items that somehow kept it running, he was amazed it ran at all- just goes to show what you can do when you don't have any spare parts. The clutch is a single spring M21, it tends to drag when hot so I am hoping to replace that with the proper item (anyone know if these clutches are anygood? maybe some proper plates might help) I don't want it concours, just a nice working reliable bike that I can use - looking forward to getting stuck in next year

Best regards

Duncan
Anglo - Indian A7SS (Actually is a 650)
Kawasaki ZZR 1100
BMW R80GS
BMW R1100GS

Offline LJ.

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Re: Hello , New here
« Reply #4 on: 22.09. 2008 18:53 »
The single spring clutches are supposed to be very good, They certainly are in the M20s and M21s. Now I am not sure if the A7 & A10 guys here will be knowlegable about these as I dont think the single sprung clutches were standard in A7s. However you could try the M20 forum if you dont get much luck here. Thats not to say leave here and go there!  :o Of course... we will be very interested to hear how you get on.

I'm also looking forward to those pictures!  *smile*
Ride Safely Lads! LJ.
**********************
1940 BSA M20 500cc Girder/Rigid- (SOLD)
1947 BSA M21 600cc Girder/Rigid-Green
1949 BSA A7   500cc Girder/Plunger Star Twin-(SOLD)
1953 BSA B33  500cc Teles/Plunger-Maroon
1961 BSA A10  650cc Golden Flash-Blue
1961 BSA A10  650cc Golden Flash-Red

Offline Duncan R

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Re: Hello , New here
« Reply #5 on: 22.09. 2008 21:21 »
Hi LJ,

A7 and A10s seemed to be quite rare in India but there were tons of M20/21s. I expect it was grafted on due to the lack of spare parts. I will try new plates first, I should think the clutches are quite tough despite being a bit crude. The lever action is quite heavy.

Photos - I will have to find someone with a scanner

Cheers

Duncan
Anglo - Indian A7SS (Actually is a 650)
Kawasaki ZZR 1100
BMW R80GS
BMW R1100GS

Offline Duncan R

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Re: Hello , New here
« Reply #6 on: 22.09. 2008 21:24 »
Iain,

Just saw the photo of you bike - looks great, the colour scheme is fantastic
Anglo - Indian A7SS (Actually is a 650)
Kawasaki ZZR 1100
BMW R80GS
BMW R1100GS

Offline tombeau

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Re: Hello , New here
« Reply #7 on: 23.09. 2008 08:20 »
Thanks Duncan,
The guy who restored the tank really wasn't happy about spraying it that colour *smile*
Iain