The BSA A7-A10 Forum
Bikes, Pictures, Stories & more => Introductions, Stories, Meetings & Pictures => Topic started by: rajclassicbiker on 16.03. 2019 19:59
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Hi , I have recently acquired a 53 A10 which I am currently trying to fettle for the road. This is my second BSA as I own a 50s framed BSA with a 1920 japanese racing engine ( not for purists but sounds awesome !) . I have joined the forum thanks to steverat who has been a great help and loved seeing the stunning A10 he has done .
Just realised it is in fact my 3rd BSA as I learned on a bantam back in the day ....a long and distant memory .
*smile*
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I own a 50s framed BSA with a 1920 japanese racing engine
Hi and welcome! *smile*
When you say a 1920 Japanese racing engine, do you mean a japanese?
Later:
Ah, I see the problem. The forum software thinks when I write those letters I mean japanese. Lets try using full-stops; J.A.P
So, I reckon you had a BSA frame with a 1920's J.A.P racing engine. Correct?
I guess we should be thankful that the forum software doesn't convert BSA into Boy Scouts of America!
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Hi , Thanks for pointing out the obvious error in my earlier post ! Clearly the system corrected me when I actually mean't a J.A . Prestwich engine from 1920 ! Cheers
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Hi , Thanks for pointing out the obvious error in my earlier post ! Clearly the system corrected me when I actually mean't a J.A . Prestwich engine from 1920 ! Cheers
I'd love to see a photo of that beastie, when you get settled here. In fact any photos you wish to share are welcome. I suppose they should be at least old motorcycle related images.
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Hi , I will try and oblige with some pics. in due course ( just need to work out how to do it- may require tech support from a grandchild!) .
Cheers
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I think you will find everything you need to know here:
https://www.a7a10.net/forum/index.php?board=15.0
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G'day raj. *welcome*
As GB suggests we love pictures and stories.
Feel free to ask any questions you have in the appropriate sections. i'm sure you'll find all the info you need right here.
Cheers
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Hi and welcome hope the build goes well, sure it will
now then we should be thankful that the forum software doesn't convert BSA into Boy Scouts of America!
Ah no that would be Google
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Welcome aboard !
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Hopefully I have managed to attach a picture of my other BSA with a 1920 J.A.P engine
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I will try that again - the right way up ?!
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Hi
Well there's a new one?/
The thumb nail pics appear upside down, but open the correct way up when opened ???????
Anyway a cool little bike, I would think the engine is a bit later than 1920 though ?
What are the letters before the engine number ? the year number is part of the lettering
P=250, I=350 K=500cc O = ohv and so on
A friend of mine built a japanese special almost an identical colour Blue *conf2*
John
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Hi , Thanks for the comments and I can confirm it is a special engine from 1920 'P' date letter . It includes '*' which denotes ' specially prepared for record attempts - speedtuning for customer/rider requirements ' . Always out to learn more so grateful for any history etc.
Cheers,
Raj
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......A friend of mine built a japanese special almost an identical colour Blue *conf2*
Actual Japanese ? Or.....more *conf2* ?
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Hi Dutch and Raj
Sorry I made the same mistake ????
Its a J.A Prestwich engine,
a 250 dry sump twin port, mated to a BSA C12 lightweigh gearbox all housed in a modified Enfield frame and a girder front fork
Raj
First letter "P" is not the date year, its the 250 engine designation
That type ohv engines were not made in 1920
The first ohv's did not have a rocker box, every thing exposed and the rocker mountings cast on the head
(known as dog ear)
I have gone through a few J.A.P engines and am reasonably familiar with their history,
Unfortunately the factory records are long gone, but the * usually denotes a customer required option
During the thirties they offered no less than 7 different style cylinder and head styles that all contained the same working parts
They would also put the customers name on the timing cover or on the crankcase
I had a 250 engine that had OK cast on the head and cylinder and an OK Supreme badge on the timing cover
I had rebuilt this and was going to fit it to my 1932 OK side valver,
A bad back injury and a wanted ad in the VMCC magazine made me decide to sell it *sad2*
John
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Hi Dutch and Raj
Sorry I made the same mistake ???? Its a J.A Prestwich engine,..........
*lol*
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......A friend of mine built a japanese special almost an identical colour Blue *conf2*
Actual Japanese ? Or.....more *conf2* ?
Dutch, if you read the thread from the top you'll see the problem with the initials J A P.
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G'day Fellas.
Yes I edited the 1st post to rectify the forums auto correct from japanese (I did type oriental abbreviation) to J.A.P.
Funny the pictures look fine this side of the equator. LOL.
Nice little weapon raj.
Cheers
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Quote from: duTch on Today at 07:39:25
Quote
......A friend of mine built a japanese special almost an identical colour Blue *conf2*
Actual Japanese ? Or.....more *conf2* ?
Dutch, if you read the thread from the top you'll see the problem with the initials J A P.
GB, I did, that was the whole point of my comment
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Hi John,
Thanks for the info. and I can confirm that the full engine number is PO/P-----B* . As I read it it is '250cc OHV 1920 modified gear cover and exhaust lifter specially prepared for record attempts- speedtuning for customer/rider requirements ' The valves are exposed . I have never seen a single of this configuration at this date however all the lettering appears genuine and is in the correct position on the engine casing . I will have a look for further markings/names as you have suggested there might be .
By the way it goes very well - I have had it running at 50mph with loads left to go - sadly I am not brave enough to go any quicker and certainly don't want to blow the engine up !
Cheers and do let me know if you have any further info. I hope your back is not causing you too much grief . If you are anywhere in the South of England you would be welcome to see the bike or maybe at a show .
Raj
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Ragardless. There is not not a single thing about that bike that I'm not loving the look of.
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Hi Raj,
Did you know that J.A.P re used the letter coding for a second run starting in 1940 (Aug 39)
This is why ads for J.A.P are often mis labeled, very common to see 600 sv engines from rotovators advertised as pre 30 vintage. Real pre 30 sv engines do not have detachable heads
Attached are some photos from my J.A.P book
The 1924 pic shows the "New" ohv engine
The RE pic shows he "Dog Ear " engine which was the ohv type made up until very late twenties
Your type engine was not made until approximately 1929/1930
So I believe your engine is a 1940 year model which must be very rare as WW2 broke out a few weeks after the 1940 year codes started to be used in August 1939
Could you post a few close up engine photos please? Is the cylinder finning shaved? hard to see in the pics you posted
John
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Hi John,
Fascinating stuff and thanks for your efforts . I am going out this evening but will attempt to get some more pics maybe tomorrow - weird that they would do a competition engine in 1940 ! Do you by any chance live within striking distance of the New Forest ? Maybe I could show you the bike as you clearly have some great history .
Funny we should end up talking J.A.P. on an A7/A10 forum .
Cheers,
Raj
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Hi Raj
I am Irish so there's a drop of water in the way *eek*
However brexit permitting I am hoping to go to Stafford at the end of April to the show
You are not far away from Cameron Engineering, a chat with the "Dad" there might give you some info on your engine
Post WW2 J.A.P continued to make competition engines as well as industrial units
As far as I know only one post war road bike featured a J.A.P engine ?? AJW
John
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Hi John,
I do get over to your beautiful Country ( not as often as I used to !) . We have family in Killarney and I was a frequent visitor to the NW200 ...very fond memories !
Anyhow interesting that you should mention AJW given they were pretty local to me . The builder of this bike was an engineer in Devon . I can't find any images of a AJW with my particular engine and open valves .
I did try Cameron Engineering a while ago and they were only interested in the big V engines now . I had been asked to run the bike on the sand at Pendine but until I can be sure of getting parts ( should the unthinkable happen to my engine !) I have declined .
Anyway I will attempt to get some more detailed photo's for you to see .
Cheers,
Raj