Help Me Know What I have

[Grumpy]

Good morning, and I hope it's a good one where you are.

The 1961 A7 Shooting Star that I thought I had turns out to be what I think is a 1956 A7 Shooting Star, frame number EA7 111** engine number CA7SS 2***, with a twin carb head on it. I think, with the limited knowledge that I currently have, that the front end is completly wrong as are the brakes, toolbox and mudguards. It also has a heat sink on it and I haven't heard mention of one of those before.
Under the maroon paint is a dark green colour and the oil tank is a nice metalic green.
Could someone set me off in the right direction and tell me what is wrong with the bike (don't laugh) before I get started?

First time posting pics so please forgive me if I get it wrong.

[saltbox Alf]

The head is a 54/55 original twin port, engine according to Bacon is a 1955/6.
frame no should be CA7....( not E?) To me looks like a later front end with trousers type nacelle and fork leg shrouds
Or it's a later frame with an earlier engine, others more knowedgable will not doubt have some comment.

Still, it's a good project to do ,it's BSA

[WozzA]

By the numbers you have given & Brit Bike forum your got a

A7SS SHOOTING STAR SWINGING ARM  CA7SS  2301  EA7  101  500  

1956 A7 Shooting Star Swingarm...    wink2  NICE pick up.

[Beezageezauk]

Colin,

It looks as though you have something of a mis-match there but nothing that can't be made into a decent bike.  I suppose it depends on how original you want the finished article to be.

The information I have shows the frame number you quote is 1957 but the engine could be 1955 or 56.  1955 engines started at CA7SS.101 and 1956 engines began with CA7SS.2301.  With you quoting CA7SS.2*** it was just on the change over so I'll leave it with you to decide.

A previous reply has answered your question about the cylinder head.

The centre stand is correct for 1957 and the colour of the oil tank is about right for an A7SS.  The tool box does not belong to that particular bike and the front forks and wheel appear to be from a 1958-on model.  

I can't see the rear wheel clearly but for 1957 it should have a full width alloy hub with cable brake.  The front wheel having a similar hub.

I'm pretty sure that the A7SS models had a very dark green frame up to and including 1957 and for 1958-on it was painted black.

Does the fuel tank have 4 inch diameter badges?  A7SS and Goldstars had 4" others had 3 1/2".  

Beezageezauk.  

[trevinoz]

Colin,
               The head is dated 1955. Hopefully the manifold is there with it!

Trev.

[muskrat]

I thought the 67-1102 was only 54 but your right Trev (naturally).
55-57 A7SS pale polychromatic green forks, mudguards, oil & petrol tanks. Dark green frame. 56-57 had alloy hubs (Ariel type).
Original manifolds (single & twin carb) are like hens teeth. http://atlanticgreen.com/a10dph.htm & http://atlanticgreen.com/a10dpm.htm .
Cheers

[Grumpy]

Fantastic, thank you very much for your answers.

I would like the bike to be as original as possible without going OTT, so the front end will go and be replaced with the proper one, the rear end looks original, cable brake etc. I think that the twin carb head will have to be replaced with a single carb head, I don't have the manifolds for it and I have a feeling it might not be the head that came with the bike originally anyway.
I believe the bike was being raced at Crimmond before it was taken out of use, hense the later front end and the twin carb head.

If anyone has a single carb head from 1956 or would like any of the spare bits I have, please get in touch ;-)))

[KiwiGF]

Hi grumpy, welcome and you should have fun getting your project going again, regarding the what have i got question, is it possible the engine and frame came from different bikes, i ask as some people like to base a restoration on the frame number and the vmcc uk can provide you details of the bike  yr frame is for, you can see my frame no. Below which is for my 56 gf and the vmcc looked up the factory records for me. The 'a7' in frame numbers is used for a10,s as well as a7,s as they both use the same frame.

That said many bikes for one reason or another parted company with the original crankcases and its not something that concerns most people.

[Beezageezauk]

Here you go Colin,

Hopefully this image will upload ok.

The colour is darker than the original but at least you will be able to see what a '57 A7SS should look like.

Beezageezauk.

[Topdad]

Colin don't think that toolbox is right is it pos plunger or rigid? The green ,I think they called it polychromatic green or something like that was a very nice colour scheme ,quite advanced in it's day , wait to see how you get on ,best wishes BobH

[wilko]

The toolbox is rigid Matchless and AJS.

[Grumpy]

Thanks again for all of the info, really interesting stuff about the VMCC and about the toolbox, I never even thought about it being off a Matchless let's hope it is worth as much as an A7 toolbox as I don't have one of those yet ....

[Butch (cb)]

To be honest if I had a bike with some known history (even if the racing part is perhaps only some lower level clubmans type activity), and it carried in period modifications - then assuming that they are not too hideous I'd want to stick with those.

Still, a broad church - as someone here is bound to remind me.