Author Topic: 1957 A7 (long awaited) project..  (Read 1174 times)

Offline laneplodder

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1957 A7 (long awaited) project..
« on: 12.01. 2019 17:40 »
Hi people,

Just would like to say a BIG thank you to all the bits of advice and help received so far (having only joined a few days ago) - what a fabulous site!..

Here is our BSA A7 restoration awaiting.. My Dad has owned this bike - since the sixties, bought as spares over the years, it's now made it's way into the garage to be fully restored (if all well and good!)

As with most of us on these types of forums, I can probably safely say we love the way old bikes sound, handle and so on..My interest and passion over the past 10 years since purchasing my first classic, (Honda CB550F2) has now spiralled me into the usual obsession of collecting old rusty (useful) bits and it is the the hope that this machine will be part of our collection to enjoy in years to come..

Here are a couple of pics of our skeleton of a machine so far!

Online muskrat

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Re: 1957 A7 (long awaited) project..
« Reply #1 on: 12.01. 2019 19:35 »
G'day laneplodder.
Looks like a bit of work but all doable. Take your time and ask all the questions you want.
Looks like a A10 Super Rocket head on A7 barrels.
Cheers
'51 A7 plunger, '57 A7SS racer now a A10CR, '78 XT500, '83 CB1100F, 88 HD FXST, 2000 CBR929RR ex Honda Australia Superbike .
Australia
Muskys Plunger A7

Online trevinoz

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Re: 1957 A7 (long awaited) project..
« Reply #2 on: 12.01. 2019 20:40 »
Don't think it is a '57.
Looks like the bones of a Shooting Star pre '56.

Offline a10 gf

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Re: 1957 A7 (long awaited) project..
« Reply #3 on: 12.01. 2019 22:01 »
Welcome to the forum!

Good to see a family related bike being worked on, looking forward to see progress reports.


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A10 GF '53 My A10 website
"Success only gets you a ticket to a much more difficult task"

Offline duTch

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Re: 1957 A7 (long awaited) project..
« Reply #4 on: 12.01. 2019 22:06 »
 Hola LP.. *welcome*....

 without wanting to stray off topic, I'll just add " after looking at the photo in you Intro post, I'm sure you're aware that brake pedal/cam-arm setup is next to useless as is...?"

Started building in about 1977/8 a on average '52 A10 -built from bits 'n pieces never resto intended -maybe 'personalised'
Have a '74 850T Moto Guzzi since '92-best thing I ever bought doesn't need a kickstart 'cos it bump starts sooooooooo(mostly) easy
Australia

Offline Swarfcut

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Re: 1957 A7 (long awaited) project..
« Reply #5 on: 13.01. 2019 09:56 »
Hi Lp.... As Musky says, it does look like a big head on an A7 jug.  The engine number will at least identify the cases, from that you can see if the frame number matches the year. Unlike other  manufacturers, frame and engine numbers are not related, except by the model year.  Many parts, including the major castings are marked with an identifying number. Sometimes, quite often this is the part number.
 Other times it is just a few numbers different, because the part as listed may be an assembled item, such as a fully loaded cylinder head, for example.

  As a simple start, the combustion chamber diameter should match the nominal cylinder bore. If they do, you have a correct head.

  Lots of information on this site, search under "literature" on the main header.

   Also the "old thumpers" website (USA)  and UK based Sump Publishing are worth a look.  But be assured you are now part of the WORLD'S BEST FORUM for the A7 and A10.

  Hope this helps....

 Swarfy.

Online trevinoz

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Re: 1957 A7 (long awaited) project..
« Reply #6 on: 13.01. 2019 20:48 »
Why do you fellas think that the head is Super Rocket?
Why couldn't it be Shooting Star?
The numbers will reveal all.

Offline berger

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Re: 1957 A7 (long awaited) project..
« Reply #7 on: 13.01. 2019 23:53 »
the valve spring keepers are super rocket so it could be its got bigger valves fitted or its a super dooooper rocket head *fight* *good3*

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Re: 1957 A7 (long awaited) project..
« Reply #8 on: 14.01. 2019 11:45 »
My 54 A7SS dual port head (67-1102 ported to 30mm) has SR valves but had to modify the cotters to fit in the SS collars and springs. With the SR collars and springs she was coilbound at full lift with a 357 cam.
Cheers

Edit. Modified the SS collars to take the SR cotters. Oldtimers setting in!
'51 A7 plunger, '57 A7SS racer now a A10CR, '78 XT500, '83 CB1100F, 88 HD FXST, 2000 CBR929RR ex Honda Australia Superbike .
Australia
Muskys Plunger A7

Offline Greybeard

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Re: 1957 A7 (long awaited) project..
« Reply #9 on: 14.01. 2019 11:46 »
My 54 A7SS dual port head (67-1102 ported to 30mm) has SR valves but had to modify the cotters to fit in the SS collars and springs. With the SR collars and springs she was coilbound at full lift with a 357 cam.
Cheers

Hmm, thinks....
Greybeard (Neil)
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Supporter of THE DISTINGUISHED GENTLEMAN'S RIDE https://www.gentlemansride.com

Warwickshire UK


A Distinguished Gentleman Riding his 1955 Plunger Golden Flash

Offline berger

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Re: 1957 A7 (long awaited) project..
« Reply #10 on: 14.01. 2019 14:12 »
musky I played with the shooting star head that is eventually going in the featherybed project, it has standard shooting star exhausts but super rocket inlets. had to machine down the bottom spring keeper and just to give the springs a bit more clearance take a bit out on the valve stems where the colletts fit - ie they sit higher up on the valve stem about 10 thou this had to be done with 357 cam to stop spring bind , if I remember it all amounted to about 30 thou - would have to dig the bits out for proper measurement