Just got a BSA A10. What year is it?

[johnintexas]

I will post pictures in a bit but I thought I would first ask what year this model is?
Frame BA7S 3115  Engine BA10 2124   plunger frame.
It is pretty much a bobber with few of the original sheet metal parts. 
Norton tank, Velocette scrambler fenders.  I doubt that the generator works and it need a battery box / holder.
Thanks for any advise.
John in Texas

[terryg]

There’s a listing of frame and engine numbers at https://www.draganfly.co.uk/data/pdf/bsa_vin.pdf

From the list it looks to me like  you have a 1953 A10 Golden Flash.

Let’s see what others think.

Welcome to the forum!

[Swarfcut]

 John. Looks to be a '53 onwards from the numbers. When the primary cover comes off, look for a date  stamped next to the chain tensioner.   Also a date stamp is sometimes found near the Pressure Relief Valve (PRV) under the dynamo.   A brazed on lug for a prop stand was introduced in 1953, earlier frames don't have this.

 If it has been standing for a while, don't just kick it over. Read the Forum posts "Barn Find Bikes" You can do  internal damage to the oil pump without taking sensible precautions. You will need to drain off the oil from the sump, these engines are well known for draining the oil tank into the motor when left standing.

 Original ignition is by magneto. No battery is needed for firing it up.

 Arrange finance now.....and welcome to the Forum.

 Swarfy.

[a10 gf]

Welcome, looking forward to some pictures.

Swarfy: Arrange finance now.....

lol, one starts spending some to get it running somehow, then having spent quite much one can't simply stop the process, want some better looks, looking into some reliabilty improvements, maybe time for a rebore, wants some better performance etc etc :O) That's the pleasure of it (and riding it in the end!).

[Bess]

Hi,
    Found this:

Best wishes...

[MickFarmer64]

Looking in the Roy Bacon book in the appendices on frame and engine numbers, if I'm looking at it correctly its a A10 Plunger model from 1953

[johnintexas]

Got the mag sorted and it started right up. There is a god!  Baby got new shoes and the wheel bearings have been packed.  A few of the rocker cover nuts and a stud or two were missing.  Dug into my stash of stuff and used the studs and nuts off of a Norton rocker cover to replace them. Hey they fit and work, problem solved!
Next is sorting out the generator, got a Podtronics DC regulator already.
It has a Norton tank, Velocette scrambler fenders and an Italian solo seat. Tried to post pictures but the files are to big.
I will need to go in and reduce the pixel size and try again.
Now give me hell, I can take it.

Cheers
John in Texas

[johnintexas]

Here are the resized pictures of my 53 A10 bitza.

Cheers
John in Texas

[Butch (cb)]

Liking that.

[Swarfcut]

  JT...  If esteemed member GB can contribute, Hell is about to be  unleashed. 

  Bike has pre '53  shrouds and headlamp mount. For starters clean out the oil tank, drop the sump plate and give the oil strainer a wash and brush up.  Left to stand, the oil tank contents has a tendency to drain into the sump, this is a well known  feature.

 Welcome to the dark side of the A10 design.

 Swarfy.

[Greybeard]

  JT...  If esteemed member GB can contribute, Hell is about to be  unleashed. 

Not really. The only worry for me is the sludge trap. Search the forum or YouTube for more information. Do this BEFORE running the engine. 

Later: Oh, I see you have started it!

[JulianS]

You can see a road test, from February 1953 US magazine Cycle, of a 1953 season Golden Flash here;

https://www.a7a10.net/forum/index.php?topic=11954.0

[johnintexas]

I will be draining and cleaning the oil tank and the "filter" at the bottom of the crankcase later this week.  I will ask the previous owner if and when he cleaned out the sludge trap in the crank.  Good thing I have a parts washer.
All good suggestions, thank you for them.

Cheers
John in Texas

[johnintexas]

  JT...  If esteemed member GB can contribute, Hell is about to be  unleashed. 

  Bike has pre '53  shrouds and headlamp mount. For starters clean out the oil tank, drop the sump plate and give the oil strainer a wash and brush up.  Left to stand, the oil tank contents has a tendency to drain into the sump, this is a well known  feature.

 Welcome to the dark side of the A10 design.

 Swarfy.

I have cleaned up the sump plate and the oil tank is in my parts washer.  Checked with the previous owners and non of them had split the cases so the sludge trap hasn't been cleaned in at least 20 years.  I don't think it has been ridden much.  The filter screen at the bottom of the oil tank is missing but I have one on order.  Need to replace the oil lines too.
Progress is being made to make  this a fun reliable bike, just not stock.
Cheers
John in Texas

[Swarfcut]

JT   If possible use a straight old style oil for now. Using a modern detergent oil carries the risk of dislodging any accumulated sludge. So until you get around to a complete strip down, gentle riding with no heroics will be fine for now.  With modern detergent oils the trend is to add an additional oil filter on the tank return line, before the T off to the rockers. Plenty on the Forum on oil options.

 Swarfy.