Gerry's a10 saga continues after a loooong break

[Gerry]

Hi all, I thought it was about time I got back on 'ere to give an update on my Gold Flash.
Well I eventually found the problem with the weak combustion on the left cylinder....after swapping heads back and forwards a few times with negative results. In desperation I decided to mike up the solid copper head gasket and found the left side (could have been the right side if I had turned it over at any time) was 0.008" thinner than the right side, go figure. New head gasket and all came good but.....ever since the only way I can start it is with the throttle wide open. Tick over is good and she runs great but starting is a pain in the butt and on occasion have taken it in turns with others in the BSA Club of SA. Anyway, about March last year on a club run through the Adelaide Hills, couldn't make a hairpin and hit the Armco, threw me over it onto my back, the bike ran along the Armco and fell over. I was ok other than a sore hip the following day. Fortunately I was covered and the insurance co forked out the $10K for repairs. So I am back on the road again at last.
Cheers Gerry

[BSA_54A10]

Ouch.
Glad to hear all is well.
Who was the insurance through
Look forward to saying he;;o in November, already booked the rooms, just waiting for the application forms to come out.

[Greybeard]

Wow, sorry about the prang! I nearly had the same thing happen to me when the bend was tighter than I thought. My leg was down ready for the bike to slide away. I dare not touch the brake. Nasty moment.

[Gerry]

Hi again fellas, Insurance was through Shannons and I cannot praise them highly enough. They paid out almost immediately after the assessment was done, even paid for a new helmet (old one was only 6 months old!!) and boots. How the hell I managed to raise my left leg over the barrier I don't know, landed on my back after knocking over a sign post. I think that's why I had the sore hip for a week or so. Due to my doing the repairs myself I had enough funds left for a tacho inner timing cover, oil pump worm with tacho drive, tacho and cable. I also managed to pick up a rocket for the front guard (fender) but not cheap. So I now have a replica Rocket. I still need to fit an oil filter which I have in the form of a "British Filters" unit as fitted to the WD B40 and B25 but where to fit it is not easy. I don't think its compact enough to go in the toolbox but I like to carry a few tools and spare plugs anyway. I'll do a bit of research here and see what clever fellas have done.
Cheers Gerry

[muskrat]

G'day Gerry.
I also sing the praises of Shannons. One bike and one car accident and storm damage to the house claims paid within a week. Like you I did the repairs myself so there was $$$ left over for a few goodies. My old saying was "I can heal for free, the bike costs $$$ to fix". These days I don't bounce and heal as well .
Cheers

[WozzA]

Ohhh dear...   memories come flooding back...  I did much the same BUT no Armco, I hip & shouldered a embankment at 80K's..   
The bike was a write off & Shannon's payed out the agreed value a couple of days later.. 
So I purchased the bike back, & repairs cost $3k's leaving me with $15k's for other things.. 
Glad your ok & back on the forum..   
 

[Gerry]

Hi Wazza, Yes doing the repairs yourself can leave you with a few $ to spend on goodies. My repairs were quite extensive. Tank, forks, toolbox, guards, rear shocks, exhausts and mufflers, headlight ears and more I can't think of at this time, got a brand new old stock genuine BSA tank. Oh yes I also replaced the wiring loom with a genuine cloth bound Lucas one. At my age I find I can't spend as much time in one go as I used to plus other things take up my time so the repairs were a long drawn out process. Over a year. The guards repairs alone cost $700 with out the cost of the tin bashing.
Cheers  Gerry