Rigid A10

[Brian]

Some of you would have seen the latest bit of junk, er, I mean wonderful restoration project, I have recently aquired. Originally I bought it for spares but it turns out the engine and frame left the factory together and it was sold new here in South Aust, so, and I will probably regret this, I have decided to see if I can find the rest of it and restore it.

I already have some of the missing parts, front wheel/gearbox/front guard/tail piece of rear guard/carby/maggy and some of the small bits. I think the hardest thing to find will probably be the rear wheel which brings me to the reason for this post. Would anyone have one of these wheels that they could take a couple of good photos of and post for me please. I have had a look at the parts book but its hard to get a good idea of just what it looks like. I am off to a swap in two weeks time and I would hate to walk past one and not recognise it.

Richard (orabanda) I would love a photo of each side of your rigid if you have a couple, pretty pretty please !!!!!

[rocket man]

looks like you've got a long way to go on it
good luck happy hunting thats part of the fun
looking for the missing parts and when you find them
its a good feeling   

[orabanda]

Hi Brian,
Thought you might like to see my rigid rear end!











Sorry the pics are a bit cramped; I need more room!




Taking half a dozen bikes on a run to Coolgardie tomorrow, so will be able to get some better pics for you then after shifting bikes out, if you need more info.

Regards,
Richard

[Brian]

Thats a good start thanks Richard. By what I can see the rear wheel is the same as a plunger one except a different backing plate and different axle set up.

Have a good day tomorrow.

[terryk]

Hi Brian, if you look in the Draganfly spares catalogue (List B3) there is the parts list of the splined front and rear wheel for rigid A7 47 and 48. It should be the same for rigid A10 rear wheel. Look in the list above the words.
4- SPLINED HUB INTERCHANGEABLE WITH REAR – 1947-48 A GROUP
Hope that helps. cheers Terry

[trevinoz]

Brian,
         I think you will find that the wheel and drum are the same as the 1954 - 55 swinging arm models. The brake drum is obviously different.
Not sure about the axle and spacers.
Trev.

[Rocket Racer]

Not quite on the same tangent, I've started building an A10 road rocket race special, currently an incomplete pile of bits and bobs, but will be based on the daytona shooting star rigid's circa 54/55. As a newbie I can't upload any photos yet but the frame will be a replica BB32R, rear wheel alloy BSA/Ariel type, with double sided 8" drums up front. It'll be bringing an A10 into the classic race scene, a model not currently seen in NZ racing. Hoping to have it together for February 2010 racing.

[Brian]

Thanks guys.

Terry, I am fairly sure the early interchangeable type wheel is different to the one I am after. Different part numbers and I had a look at one in a 48' A7 today and although a similar design the dimensions are diferent. The early one even though they are a crinkle hub one side of the hub is larger than the other.

Trev, I think you are right. By what I can see the actual hub and brake drum are the same for the plunger models and the early s/arm. Its the axles and brake backing plates that vary. I have a spare complete wheel for a plunger model so if I can find a backing plate I should be right. I can probably make one if I can get a sample. The axle isnt a problem as I can make all of that no problems. By what I can see in the photos Richard sent the axle pushes through with a nut on the left side.

Trying to complete this bike may turn into a major headache but I will give it a go and see what turns up.

[manosound]

Brian,

The word "complete" doesn't quite capture it. "Resurrect", maybe.

Rocket Racer,

Your's will be quite unusual and I believe I can speak for the group in saying we look forward to the pictures. Perhaps our member Rico is watching and will get different feelings for his own almalgamated (not meaning "Amal") bike from different years and including Ariel hubs.

Richard L.

[terryk]

Brian is the backing plate the same as early A7 if it is I may have a spare.

[trevinoz]

Brian,
        The hub and brake drum are not the same as the plunger models.
The plunger hub has an internal thread on the off side for a threaded bearing retainer and the section is longer which requires the cover plate to be domed.
The rigid / swinging arm hub does not have the thread and has the flat cover.
However, if you machine the threaded portion from the hub, you then have a rigid hub.
I am pretty sure the rigid and swinging arm brake drum are the same part, this drum having a smaller bearing than the plunger.
Trev.

[Brian]

Terry, the parts book shows the same part number for the backing plate so I might take you up on that offer, thanks. I will send you a e-mail.

Trev, the pictures Richard posted show the flat bearing cover plate as you say so if the only difference is the threaded section that will be no problem. I have a complete plunger wheel so if I remove the threaded side off the hub and with the backing plate Terry has I should be able to make a rear wheel.

Thanks, guys.

[trevinoz]

Brian,
        the rigid axle is different to the plunger, if I can dig out my rigid rear wheel I will check out what is what.
Trev.

[Brian]

Some basic measurements would be a help Trev, I can make the axle and nuts, spacers etc.

[cus]

Hey Brian,
How good's that, getting matching No's, makes it definatley worth restoring,
probably about the same amount of gear I started out with on my Rocket,
after I unbolted all the too far gone stuff, just don't make a tally of the
final amount it costs to restore, I always just say..."alot"  if anybody asks.
Also, will be going to Gatton swap later in the year, I can keep my eyes
peeled if you need anything, just drop me a line.

regards, Cus

[Brian]

I kept a exact record of what I spent on the first ever "proper" restoration I did 30 years ago. When I finished and added it up it scared the hell out of me so I make sure I never keep receipts or any kind of documentation that shows prices these days. If "she who must be obeyed" found out what I spend not only would I be working out in the shed I would be sleeping out there as well. !

It wont be easy but hopefully I can find all the bits to restore it. I have started with less and managed to build a complete bike. Its not a A but hopefully I will be forgiven for posting a picture of a 1937 350cc Empire Star I restored. I started with just a bare frame, nothing else.

[cus]

Great job on that Empire Star,
Must have been a mission tracking down all those parts!
Did you get alot from U.K., I guess our friendly parts man
in Elizebeth St. would have had some of that older gear also,

regards, Cus

[trevinoz]

Brian,
         I dug out my rear wheel and with a lot of swearing and oxy- acetylene dismantled the hub.
All of the components are the same as a swinging arm set up with the exception of the cotton reel spacer which has been cut and shut. Missing is the bearing spacer from the off side and the nut.
The wheel had been in something else at some time.
The distance between the rear forks on both models is the same at 7", so I guess everything should be the same.
I don't have a parts list for a rigid so I can't compare part numbers.
Do you have a swinging arm type from '54 - '55, A or B?
I have photographed the bits and will e-mail them to you. Measuring them will be done later if you need it.
Trev.

[a10gf]

will be forgiven for posting a picture of a 1937 350cc Empire Star

Yes. Great job, beautiful bike. I really like the looks of the prewar BSA's, often browsing trough a 1935 catalog I've got, admiring the machinery (no idea how they are to ride...).

[Brian]

A lot of the pre-war bikes were very nice looking bikes E and some of the ones I have had were terrific things to ride. Probably the best was a 1930 500cc OHV Twin Port Sloper I had, it went very well and the sound from the twin fishtail mufflers was superb.