okay, besides my other BSA twins, THIS frame is my primary reason for finally signing up on here.
This site and the BritBike forum seem to have the highest concentration of BSA nutters out there.
I plan on trying to contact Myles Raymond of Scotland shortly as well, his new websites are GREAT resources and we used to exchange emails many years ago when I was first researching early BSA stuff. I have a number of BSAs I need to get dating certificates on as well and plan to send the BSAOC a nice donation and a list of machines to date and get info on, so that is on the agenda as well.
So, this is my new acquisition and highly ironic that I am in downsize mode and selling off stuff and I ended up getting a new project at the same time. That in itself is a story all of its own.
But the short version is I often end up offering advice to others or asked to consult. I only know enough to be dangerous, and whenever you THINK you might be an expert you end up humbled at a new mystery.
So, Many years ago in early 1990s I ran into a genuine Super Flash A10 locally. Resources were thin on the ground and few people even know what they were. I also over time collected 2 Plunger early 50s A10s. The plan was one restored with a few sensible mods, (For the Mrs..) and the other as a "Hot Flash" with alloy head, hi-comp pistons, cam, and other bits. so basically a Him & hers pair. At one point I hosted an Ozzie who gifted me a genuine Super flash tank (Slight differences between a std golden flash). But I mentioned this story in another thread in response to a WTB SuperFlash in the classifieds so see it there about what happened to that tank.
But now.. I am wondering if I made a mistake as possibly need it.
So, back on track. I got an email from a young gentleman who likes custom bobbers and does some nice work. (he has skills) I about fell out of my chair. I have never heard of a rigid frame A7/A10 frame with the Dogleg down tube. My understanding was they only were on a limited number of Super Flash frames. I have poked around all of my resources and cannot find any evidence of anything other than the limited prod run (52-53) of Super flashs having this dog leg. The Frame stampings are also baffling, but BSA numberings were not all that cut and dried. The frame is stamped ZA7R 698X (You have a 1 in 10 chance of figuring out the last digit, I am not posting the full 4 digits online)
Based on my research the ZA7R signifies a 1949 A7. Star Twins were ZA7S or SS, Based on what I see the R was only used in 49.The 4 digit Vin falls in what I think should be a 53? Correct me if I am wrong.. the BSA resources say 1949 Bikes start at 101 and I doubt they built nearly 7000 machines that year. (* maybe wrong?).
So, I made the guy a offer of a trade. He ended up with a 52 Triumph frame from my stash. I now own this and saved it from being a chopper-bobber. I figured its way more rare and needed saving. (Please Mom! It followed me home! Can we keep it? Ill take care of it and love it and squeeze it,,please please Mom!).
So, as I told the guy, A) Somebody had a Superflash or? and swapped rear sections from the Spring frame to rigid B) Somebody modded a stock A7 rigid (I doubt it) C) This is a rare variant I can find no info on D) This (Extreme Long shot) could be a factory race frame??
So, a bit of a stretch, Oregon is home to one of the BSA wrecking crew alumni, Kenny Eggers. Wouldnt it be cool/amazing/unbelievable this was connected to him and the infamous BSA race team who kicked Harley Ass at Daytona?
So heres a few pix, please tell me what you think. As to my plans?
#1) Find out what it is and should be
#2) If culturally significant restore to as correct as possible
#3) If marginally significant then I plan to have some gearhead fun. I Will then build it as a streetable BSA hotrod tribute to the BSA Wrecking crew.
I have just like the 6 mllion dollar man the parts to make it faster, better and date farrah fawcett. Alloy head w/ dual carb mods, hi comp pistons, cams, and possibly use one of my stash of late Super rocket cranks and other bits.
As a serial hoarder...scratch that, eccentric collector I have the bits to build this. Forks, wheels, sheetmetal, motors and trans. etc etc..
(pictured is the frame in question and my plunger A10 in the shop I am mocking up)