Bike Identification

[coastn1]

Hey guys. I'm very new to BSA's. I mostly work on old Yamaha's but a friend of mine dropped off what I beleive to be a BSA A7. From what I have been able to determine my best guess is that it is a 1957??? I used the 8 page "What year is it?" document but where I think the bikes VIN should fall there are no numbers for 1957. Anyway, the frame is stamped on the neck CA7-4868 and the engine is stamped CA10-2970. Any help identifying this bike would be great. I would like to know what I am working with before I tear into it. He gave it to me to get running again after not running for 4 or 5 years. I'm up for the challenge.
Thanks guys. 

[Beezageezauk]

Hi there and welcome to the friendly A7/A10 Forum.

Both the A7 and A10 models shared the same frame with the same numbering system.

The "CA" numbers began in 1954 with the frame numbers starting with CA7.101 and 1955 they started with CA.7001.  That tells me that your frame is from a 1954 model.

FYI:- 1954 was the first year of the A10 swinging arm models.

The CA10 engine numbers also started in 1954 with CA10.101 and in 1955 CA10.4501.  Again this tells me that the engine is a 650cc A10 engine also from 1954.  In fact it could be the original engine that the bike left the factory with. 

The BSA Owners Club would be able to confirm or deny this and supply you with a nice Dating Certificate for a minimal fee.  If you don't have any paperwork with the bike you might need to get it dated prior to applying for registration in any case.

No doubt we will be seeing more questions from you on the forum and you can always keep us updated with your progress.  Good luck with the challenge.

Beezageezauk.

[coastn1]

Thanks for the info. The owner thought the bike was from 1965 which I determined to be incorrect from doing some research. He does have a title for the bike but it would be nice to have the numbers verified.

[orabanda]

Hi Coastn1,
You have done very well; they are a nice bike!

Here are a couple of pics of my 1954 A10.

[A10 JWO]

My numbers are very very close to yours and my Engine number has the same prefix 0970. Mine is a 1954 S/A model. My Frame is also A7 and left the factory in Jan 1954.
Hope this helps

Colin