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Update July 2005
So, the A10 has not been in use for a year. After a successfull tour in the fjords it was time for some work, front forks, paint & ignition needing attention. Not much to do really, but time goes fast, and due to work and a painfull back I have not managed to do much, but will start "soon". It's really a shame to keep the bike hidden in my garage.

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This website started with only a picture, and was meant to be a one page presentation of the GF. It somehow evolved into quite an extensive information source for the A10 range. I regularly added pages along the restoration process, and responded to requests from visitors about what they would like to see or read about. I hope you enjoy the pages, and I especially wish you may find information here that will assist in making your A10 or other classic bike ownership the pleasure it should be.

Erling
December 2000


The Story
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cold autumn evening some years ago The Machine arrived to it's new home and it immediately found it's place in the shed (and in the new owner's heart). Found the GF for sale in a magazine, it was actually in my neighbourhood, went straight away saying I'd take the bike if the seller was able to ride it to my doorstep. So he very nearly did, had to push it the last meters, the ignition failing (see the Lucas pages). The deal was concluded. It really took some time to adjust to the BSA's personality, likings & demands. The first months were used to work the bike up to an acceptable level of safety & reliability, with short test-trips around the neighbourhood allowed.

Long hours were used tracing engine rattles and rumbles, curing one noise just to realise there was another one emerging that had been hidden by the previous. After this period of persistence the ride\work percentage had changed from 10\90 to 90\10. I do not expect this to subsist, as all things that move will need a total engine & gear overhaul sooner or later. So far so good. It always starts first kick, has an easy cruising speed of 100kmh, has beautiful looks, and nice sounding engine & exhausts to match.

Modifications include a tacho, with new timingcover & tachodrive. So this bike is something like a 54 model with 51 style (pre headlight-cowl and single seat) and Super Rocket manual ignition control & tachometer. Nice looks goes before absolute originality. The bike is doing 50mph at 3000 rpm, which I plan to lower with a larger gear sprocket. Having kept the 6v system intact I've changed the pilot lamp to a 6v 10w halogen, which gives a bright headlight while the original E3L dynamo always keeps the battery charged.

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fter 16000 enjoyable km the Flash has always brought me safely home. My idea is that a machine will treat it's owner as the owner treats the machine. I never had to push or call for assistance. The bike is used regularly for both town and countryside riding. It is not a concours pristine original, nor is it meant to be, it's maintained as a sound and safe bike without going to extremes. The mission: keeping it an enjoyable, good looking & reliable first kick starter.

Here is an overview of what has been going on during the first 16000 km:

Worked fine (normal maintenance & care only):
-Frame
-Wheels & tyres
-Rear brake
-Lights, most wiring, horn, switches
-Battery
-Front forks & rear plungers
-Cylinder & pistons
-Head, valves & rockers
-Oil pump
-Seat & tanks
-Handles, switches & cables
-Steering
-Speedo
-Clutch
-Primary drive & chain
-Engine in general
-Mudguards, paint & chrome
-Gearbox
-Sprockets

Needed repair or renewal:
-Dynamo
-Magneto\ignition
-Some wiring
-Regulator
-Petrol taps & pipes
-Carburettor
-Rearchain
-Engine & top gaskets
-Front brake
-Valve adjusting tappet bolts
-A (large) number of nuts & bolts
-Silencers (temporary welding)

Lots of km's later...:
-Lucas horn restorated
-Cylinders honed (temporary fix)
-New piston rings (temporary fix)
-New main bearings & big end\small end bushes
-Reground crankshaft
-New battery & battery holder
-Changed gear sprocket from 19 to 21 (to reduce rpm)
-Clutch friction plates & clutch springs
-New seat springs
-Renewed more wiring
-Rebore & new pistons
-Cam followers refaced
-New valves, guides & springs
-Leadfree inserts
-New tyres
-New rear & front wheel bearings
-New silencers

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Triumph Legend is now keeping the A10 company. To avoid the risk of wearing out the A10 (it's fun  to restorate things, but there is a limit for everything), it was time to get something to use on a daily basis. So far (34.000 km) the Legend has proven to be a very good choice. Fine handling, dependable machinery, looks like a motorcycle, lots of torque, good brakes, no problems whatsoever. Highly recommended.