New member 1961 BSA A7SS Melksham UK

[Desburnett]

Thanks,

Strangley enough and personally disapointing I dont have any pics of the 60's / 70s but do have most of the rebuild.
Here is one  not of my machine but of some fine examples which two days after taking the photos were destroyed by fire at the National Motorcycle Museum. I believe the A7 was the first machine to be rebuilt after the fire.

Take a look....http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/hereford/worcs/3114410.stm

[Desburnett]

More from the museum....

[Desburnett]

Correction.... the last photo was taken at Shepton Mallet Showground in 2003, the owner may be a forum member?

[RichardL]

Just to be sure you know, you can include up to six photos in one post. Just use the "more attachments" link next to the "Browse" button.

Hey, while we're at it, what's that little pan for under the red bike?

[Desburnett]

Tried attaching more but the file sizes were too large. Have been experimenting with one or two files to make them smaller so here are two more. One is one of my favourite bikes and would dearly love to own one...Rocket 3.
Oh the  little tray under the bike. Some say its to catch oil drips but I think it is put there to collect donations to aid running costs! Especially when you see what the fire destroyed.

Des

[Desburnett]

That did not work either....Here is the Rocket 3....hopfully!

Found the (more attahments) but i need to reduce my file sizes.

[rocket man]

what about some pics ove your bike

[Desburnett]

Current status,
Engine rebuilt ready to drop into frame.
New rims / spokes, tyres
Seat refurb but with "original" fringed and studded cover.
Rolling chassis
Tank rechromed and painted and hand lined (Dont ask the cost!)
Dynamo rebuilt.
Magneto rebuilt.

[tombeau]

Hello Des.

I haven't said hello yet because I don't like interrupting a good story.

I'm enjoying hearing about your history with the bike, and I think it's great that by keeping your fringed and studded seat cover, your restoration isn't eradicating the bike's history and character.

My own bike (originally an A7ss) has an Eric Oliver dealer plate on the numberplate/light unit. It was the first thing I noticed on the bike when viewing it, and whatever changes I make to the bike, it will remain there. There is also a dent in the tank which is special to me, I wont have it removed.
Anyway enough about me...
Cheers,
Iain

[Desburnett]

Hello Iain, Nice to hear from you.

I removed the seat cover from the pan and had to discard the original foam. It had become brittle and crumbled when compressed. I still felt a pang when I junked it in the skip. The seat pan needed a tidy up so I welded a thin strip of metal to the edging which had corroded. A good brush up and a lick of paint sorted it. As for the cover it seemed in good shape so I washed it in the washing machine and ironed it inside out. (Apparently this is what women do to trousers). One or two of the fringes are missing and as mentioned I replaced the chrome studs but made sure I fitted one of the originals (chrome missing) for old times sake. The new foam was supplied by Leightons of Birmingham but try as I might I couldn't get the thing to fit. I was like trying to get an octopus into a jar. I sent the whole lot to Leightons for them to fit the cover. A few days later a chap called me to say, " Hey we can fit you a new cover instead of this old one". No thanks, If you had seen some of the birds that have sat on that you would know why I want to keep it.

I know what you mean about the dealer badge. I had forgotton that mine had a oval badge rivited to the front guard just in front of the number plate. It announced that the bike was originally sold by Copes on the Hagley road Birmingham. I still have the plate and if I can carefully remove the paint that was applied over it years ago I will try to refit although I recall in removing the rivets the holes tore through the sides.

regards,

Des

[rocket man]

she is looking very tasty so far  whats the compost for are you going to grow an engine

[Desburnett]

Hi Rocket man.

I planted a D1 Bantam and just kept watering!
Found some pics of the dual seat refurb....

[rocket man]

nice one des nice to have you on the forum 

[Desburnett]

Update....

The motor is now finished, I have some pics to post later. Invested in a jig to hold the motor on the bench so decided to build complete rather than fit the bottom end to the frame and go from there. I saw a clip on youtube dated from the 60's inside the Meriden factory where a guy was lifting the complete engine direct into the frame. No lifting aids just skill and strength. He had the job done before we could do a risk assesment these days.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ipiD6nm7Iy0&feature=related 
(The film is 10 min long, the motor is fitted at the 8.5 min stage)

Interesting point...I have rebuilt the motor without using any gasket cement, just the gasket with a smear of grease on both faces. All covers had their studs removed, threads checked / re tapped and most important holes re chamfered to remove any "pull" on the material that supported the first threads. It will be oil tight.

[rocket man]

thanks des thats a great video first class worth watching