A7 SS - Couple of Questions

[ncpierce]

By the looks of it in the photos, the forks bending saved the frame from damage. In all probability, if the down tubes look straight, they probably are.

That's the basis that we are working on

[ncpierce]

Quick update.  The insurance company have decided that the bike is beyond economic repair

But I have been offered the bike back with a payment which is the insured value of the bike less the salvage value to the insurance company.  This means that I will have a reasonable amount of money to get the front end of the bike rebuilt.

So who has a complete front end for a 1961 BSA A7SS sitting around in their shed that they want to sell!

[LJ.]

The insurance company have decided that the bike is beyond economic repair

I really do wonder sometimes why we have to bother with insurance!

economic repair?

For whom? The insurers I guess, so where does that leave us? or in this case Nigel?

They really do annoy me so much.

[ncpierce]

economic repair?

For whom? The insurers I guess, so where does that leave us? or in this case Nigel?

They really do annoy me so much.

I think the company who were pricing the repairs were concerned about availability of the bits as well as the cost of them.  Since I am not in a rush to get the bike back on the road I have the time to source the parts and it will make a nice winter project.

[A10Boy]

Looks like they took the easy option. The old,- lets not bother to price this us, let just right it off scenario. It makes me mad, all they have to do is get a quote from Vale Onslow's or someone. 

It makes you wonder if they understand what they are looking at in these situations. Care to tell us which company it was Nigel ??

[tombeau]

it will make a nice winter project.

You're clearly  a "Glass half full, rather than a glass half empty" guy.
Great outlook:
Cheers,
Iain

[ncpierce]

Looks like they took the easy option. The old,- lets not bother to price this us, let just right it off scenario. It makes me mad, all they have to do is get a quote from Vale Onslow's or someone. 

It makes you wonder if they understand what they are looking at in these situations. Care to tell us which company it was Nigel ??

4th Dimension in Shepperton. 

[A10Boy]

I meant which insurance company? It would be interesting to know if it was with a "Classic Specialist".

[RichardL]

Nigel,

I can't say whether or not there is a good classics shop in Surrey, but Leigh On Sea seems not that far away and there you will find Leigh Classics. I visitied their shop when in London last year and was very impressed by the work, the available parts and the friendly reception. I don't know if they'll have all your need parts, but it sounds like you might beneifit from some nearby first-hand advice and help.

If you take the train, it's a fairly short taxi ride to the shop. If you call them in advance, they might even pick you up. If you should, indeed, have them do work, please tell Andy that Richard from Chicago says "hello." I get a free Rocket Gold Star for every customer I send his way.

Richard L.

http://www.leighclassics.com/

[ncpierce]

I meant which insurance company? It would be interesting to know if it was with a "Classic Specialist".

Sorry - it was a classic policy with ebike insurance.  I have my 2other modern bikes insured with them on a different policy.

[bsa-bill]

interesting I have been insured with them for two years now, all done on line hence the spelling mistake (mine) that means the bike is insured in the name of Mrs ##### instead of Mr ##### but Mrs ##### is defined as male.
I have tried changing this but the site wont have it, of course these days anything is possible , I may even ride the bike dressed as a drag queen, then a half gallon of methanol and I could go drag racing.
I better stop now before Mr Administrator bung this in the crazy stuff file

All the best - Bill

[ncpierce]

Hi,

We got the bike back on Friday and Dad and I have stripped the front end down to have a look at the damage.

The front wheel has a sight bend to it.  Does anyone know somewhere local - Surrey/SE - who could have a look at it and true it up?

The fork stanchions are definitely bent and they appear to have absorbed most of the impact damage from looking on the net these seem to be easily available.  What we are struggling to find is the shroud section to which the headlamp fits.  I can find the straight one with ears but not the correct type for the A7SS.  Also I think that we need a new mudguard but there seem to be lots of different types available.  If I post a pic can someone help to identify the correct type?

Thanks - further updates to come!

Nigel

[RichardL]

Though I am in Chicago, I believe the place you want to send your wheel to is Central Wheel in Birmingham. Others here may know people closer to you, but there is no question that these are the "big boys" in classic motorcycle wheels in the UK. I had considered sending mine there, but shipping prohibited.

As for the tins, fender and shrouds, they can all be fixed. My fender was sooooooooo much worse than yours (basically, bent in half) and I returned it to the condition you see at http://www.a7a10.net/forum/index.php?topic=166.0  .  Of course, that was lot of work and exercising a hobbyists knowlege of body work. Perhaps the price of professional metal work would easily overwhelm the price of replacement parts that only need sanding and painting.

I know I'm harping on it, and apologize if I'm telling you things you bluntly know, but the steering head needs a very close look beyond just seeing straight uptubes. Look for any deformation of the bracing gussets. Look for cracked paint on those gussets, or on the top tube, or the uptubes. To the extent possible, measure the angle of the steering head (27 degrees) with respect to flat ground.

I hope this helps and, also, hope others correct me if they know I'm wrong.

Richard L.




http://www.central-wheel.co.uk/

[ncpierce]

Hi

Can anyone tell me what the part number for this part to fit an A7 would be.  Or will these fit on an A7?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BSA-BANTAM-D7-D10-D14-4-NACELLE-LEGS_W0QQitemZ260335469696QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Motorcycle_Parts?hash=item260335469696&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1301%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318

Thanks

Nigel

[LJ.]

Until someone confirms for sure I would not fit a Bantam one to an A7 or 10. I have a sneaking suspicion that its for a 7 inch headlamp and not the A seris 8".