1950 GOLDEN FLASH?

[vagabond]

When was the first golden flash?
I have recently bought a 1950 plunger frame ZA7113## for a longstroke project and when i started stripping the frame i found the original gold paint. I wasn't aware the the golden flash was out in 1950.
could this be one of the first golden flash models.
If so i will be looking for an early A10 engine & box aswell as any early plunger cycle parts.
Dave Hubbard Sheffield

[Goldy]

According to the book BSA twins and triples by Roy bacon, his description of the new 1950 model states "The most dramatic feature of the new model was it,s golden beige colour from which it,s type name the Golden Flash was  derived. So it looks as though it was.

[bikerjohndavies]

Hi Dave, according to the BSA frame / engine number listings, the first A10 engine is listed as ZA10 101 in 1950. As the frame number is a very late 1950 one it could well be. Might be worth contacting Steve Foden, the BSA Owners club libarian, to see if he can help you from the factory records.

[Beezageezauk]

Hi Dave,

Can you check your frame number again?  See if there are any signs of an "S" after the ZA7.

The 1950 plunger frames started with ZA7S-6001 the "S" signifying a sprung frame.  1951 began with ZA7S-14001.

The rigid frames didn't have the "S" as part of the frame number.

Beezageezauk.

[vagabond]

Sorry fat fingers missed the S
FRAME NO IS ZA7S 113##
Does anyone have a golden flash close to this number.

[trevinoz]

The rigid frames had "R" instead of "S" when the plunger frames were introduced.
Trev.

[Brian]

Interesting topic, just when was the A10 released and who has the earliest one.

Usually BSA released the next year models in the previous year so the first A10's could have hit the market in late 49'. I have an original brochure dated Feb 1950.

My earliest is a rigid 51' model, engine no. ZA10 6192.

So who has one with the number the closest to ZA10 101 and does anyone have a old magazine or similar from late 49' with an advert for the "new" A10.