The BSA A7-A10 Forum
Bikes, Pictures, Stories & more => Introductions, Stories, Meetings & Pictures => Topic started by: Emmabee on 16.04. 2026 17:53
-
My dad sadly passed away in cancer suddenly a little less than a month ago. So I decided to keep his BSA motorcycle as an heirloom, since there was no will or anything prepared for his passing.
I have no previous experience with motorcycles and I think my dad showed me how to drive it once when I was around 13 years old, so almost 20 years ago now.
So I joined this page so maybe people with experience could tell me what I should do next. It hasn't been driven in awhile and I don't even know how to start it. So if anyone feels like they have time on their hands to teach me how to look after my fathers motorcycle, I would very much appreciate it.
Hopefully the pictures I attached come with this post.
Sincerely, Emma
-
very nice bike looks like your Dad loved his motorcycle , sorry for your loss .
you should introduce youself to the forum and mention where you are located , you have come to the right place .
-
G'day Emmabee *welcome*
Sorry for your loss, much respect for keeping Dad's bike.
Looks to be all there with a couple of personal touches. Looks to be a early 50's. An engine number will revile all. No battery but not to worry about that to start with. A later model carb is fitted and will make life a lot easier.
To start with have a good look here https://www.a7a10.net/forum/index.php?board=17.0 lot's of info there.
First thing I'd do is replace the motor & gearbox oils. You'll need to drop the sump plate to drain the sump in case it has wet sumped (note how much comes out).
Report back when that's done.
Cheers
ps: gave you a flag & location.
-
very nice bike looks like your Dad loved his motorcycle , sorry for your loss .
you should introduce youself to the forum and mention where you are located , you have come to the right place .
Thank you for the welcome and your consideration. He very much did love this motorcycle.
Well, I guess the introduction for me is that my name is Emma, I'm 31 years old and I flew to Sarasota, Florida to spend the last days with my father before he passed and now I'm in the planning period of getting his motorcycle up and running.
I will be in Sarasota for the next month or so to sort out his belongings and I plan to get his motorcycle running within that time and be able to ship it back to Sweden with me, where I live (my father has shipped this motorcycle from India to Sweden, to the Hawaii, new Mexico and Florida. So I hope I will be able to ship it back to Sweden again. )
So I thank anyone for helpful tips.
Sincerely, Emma
-
G'day Emmabee *welcome*
Sorry for your loss, much respect for keeping Dad's bike.
Looks to be all there with a couple of personal touches. Looks to be a early 50's. An engine number will revile all. No battery but not to worry about that to start with. A later model carb is fitted and will make life a lot easier.
To start with have a good look here https://www.a7a10.net/forum/index.php?board=17.0 lot's of info there.
First thing I'd do is replace the motor & gearbox oils. You'll need to drop the sump plate to drain the sump in case it has wet sumped (note how much comes out).
Report back when that's done.
Cheers
ps: gave you a flag & location.
Thank you for your reply! I will for sure look through the link you sent to see if that can give me some more information. I will see if I can find a video of how to change the motor and gearbox oils and get to it as quick as possible. I'm no mechanic, but I would love to be one ☺️
-
Here are also some pictures of me and my dad when he had his motorcycle in Sweden 💙💛
-
Emma,
Very sorry for your loss. You’ve certainly come to the right place for help. We can be pretty tenacious when it comes to sticking with one of our members trying to work out troubles with our beloved makes. Muskrat is one of our gurus here and knows of what he speaks. Though, I had guessed the mechanics of this may be completely new to you. We need to be careful not to give you a drink of water with a fire hose. For openers, would you know the last time your dad rode or even started the bike?
The sump plate Muskie mentioned is at the very bottom of the engine where the engine’s case (crankcase) runs between two front-to-back frame pipes. One of the attached pictures shows a version with a drain plug, the other shows an original without the plug. I’ve also attached a picture of mine. The plug on you bike may be oriented differently from the picture. Seeing how you dad cared for this bike, I’m guessing there is a plug, otherwise, he was committed to original purity, which is also great. If the no-plug type, that’s a different kettle of fish (as a Swede, that should be familiar). Taking that apart requires the right tools, replacement gaskets, gasket sealer, and a lot more hand cleaner. Let us know before digging into that.
Finally, let us know if you would like in-person help from a member. I seem to recall at least one Florida member and one or more in Sweden.
Good luck and keep us posted.
Richard L.
-
Hi Emma, great to have you here with us in 'our' family. You'll get plenty of help and advice here. Your dad would be so happy that you're keeping his 'bike.
If you could find someone close who can help you with it initially it would be good. They don't necessarily need to be BSA people, but would best be familiar with British twin cylinder bikes of the 1950-1970 period. And those photos are fabulous, good on ya Emma.
-
Emma there is a Facebook BSA group in the USA " BSA owners of North America only "Bob Gross the founder of the group used to have a motorcycle shop in Florida and shipped bikes and parts all over, he may be more helpful with ideas on crating and shipping .....also some Harley Davidson dealers will give you the steel shipping frame they ship their bikes to dealers in should be lots of Dealers in Florida give them a call .
best of luck dealing with your Fathers affairs .....once you get the bike home we can guide you through the process of starting etc
Sean
-
Yes, we all know your loss.
I would consider just draining the fluids and not worry about servicing until you get it home. Many shipping operations require the motorcycle to be “dry” before they will accept it.
Good luck with the transport and awakening the motorcycle!
Frank
Where in Sweden are you located? Last time I was in Sweden I spent most of my time in Vaesteras, Stockholm and Lake Malaren. Had a lovely time.
-
Much respect for keeping the bike and having an interest in it. This Forum doesn't see many female contributors, you may even be the first.
As people have said, any support you want, you can find it here.
I'm not sure whether you actually ride or not. If you don't, try it, you'll be hooked in no time.
-
Hello Emma,
welcome to the Greasyhandpreatchers.
When you are back in Sweden you should visit the international Bsa Summercamp...GrußJens
https://www.bsa-oc.de/Int-Summercamp-2026-Schweden/
-
Welcome, thanks for joining, sorry for your loss.
Such a fine introduction, great pictures, family related bike stories always apreciated here.
-
Sorry to hear about your Dad. You've certainly come to the right place for advice and help.