I'm pretty heavy too Brian, which is why I got an A10! Open roads and no traffic, but I hardly use the main ones, preferring to run along at 55-60 mph at the lowest revs I can get away with (bigger gearbox sprocket) without having to fit rearsets and cripple myself in middle age. Not having ever had an A7, and not currently having any other BSA either, I can't really judge - except that the A7s I see here really are sweet-running and do everything their owners ask, whether they be plunger or s/arm. Also extremely reliable. I mean extremely, as in most reliable of the several hundred steeds in our classic club. Their view reflects the view I often heard when I was young and impressionable, that 500s are what to go for if you want a twin, whatever the marque. Speed Twin not Thunderbird, Dommie 88 for choice, G9 Matchless ditto, etc etc. Seems to be a balance in favour of that perspective here, too. But what the heck, they're all great and I'd readily give all and any of them house-room if I could! But next on my list is something with girders, as I've never ever had a set of my very own apart from a very rare French 98cc cyclemotor (!) which is in bits in the shed (but when I ride other people's I'm green with envy for days). Groily