1951 A10 coming for a rebuild (mudguards)

[Steverat]

Hello everyone!

I'm new to the forum but an old nut for BSAs. My first bike was a C11 which was a scrap rebuild; I've had quite a few B31s, B33s, a DBD34, several swingarm A10s. Now a friend in Germany has set me a new challenge: to renovate his 1951 plunger A10. Bike will be arriving here on a pallet next week. Apart from stripping right down for inspection, I will start by looking for some correct mudguards. The ones on the bike don't match, the rear has no rib and the front has been cut off short. Presumably both guards should be ribbed for that year? I noticed some Indian ones on Ebay:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Front-Rear-Bare-Metal-Mudguard-Set-Stays-Fits-B31-B33-BSA-A10-A7-Plunger-Old/323193826418?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&var=512272311961&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649  - does anyone have any experience with these?

Or is there a pair of originals lurking somewhere in your shed, waiting to be gloriously reborn as a part of this rebuild?

[Greybeard]

Hi & 

On my '55 Plungie the rear guard is ribbed and the front is smooth. I'm pretty sure the bike is original.

[Rex]

On my 1951 both guards are ribbed.

[muskrat]

G'day Steve
Me too, both ribbed. The rear one in the ebay link is for singles (just remove the "wings"). The front on my 51 A7 is from India. Had to use 2Lb of spray bog to cover the grinder marks!!!
Cheers

[Steverat]

Thank you gents, now I can search with a bit more confidence. Up early tomorrow to go to the big Netley Marsh autojumble near Southampton. Keep your fingers crossed for me!

[Greybeard]

As has been discussed before, BSA used older style parts until they ran out. I reckon a mix of designs is not unusual.

[Steverat]

At the autojumble they’re trying to sell me a ribbed front guard which is deeply balanced saying it’s right for 51. True?

[a10 gf]

Should be like this ? > https://www.a7a10.net/BSA/ads/gold.jpg

[Steverat]

I ended up coming back from Netley Autojumble empty handed, having decided with Josef (owner) we are going to go for non-valanced guards (like Musky's). Interestingly, the parts book says the non-valanced front guard is for A7 only (65-6605). Anyone have any idea why this is so? Hopefully the A7 and A10 wheels are the same, otherwise I'm a bit worried it may look odd. Your views/information please.
Steve

[muskrat]

G'day Steve.
Yes the slim guards were for the A7 like mine. I don't like the valanced ones either. May be as the A7 is only a 500 they thought it couldn't carry the extra weight  . The wheel size is the same. The hubs for an A10 are 8" the A7 are 7" and have different fork sliders.
Cheers

[gt6uk]

Try Chris Williams at Autocycle engineering on 01384 253030, he should be able to sort you out.

Steve.