New Member, New Project.

[Bronco-BSA]

Hello All,

Found you on a google search and had to join up although I have not got a BSA yet. I started riding in 1976 but gave up in 1982 when I got married, I finally got back to bikes 12 years ago and now own a Yamaha FJR. I've always done my own maintainance and have wanted a classic british bike for years. My dad told me many stories of when he had a Douglas 350 in the 1950's.

Anyway I've think I've finaly found what I've been looking for, I've been offered a 1960 A10 in bits and not complete.
Here's what there is:

Engine & gearbox (no barrel's or pistons)
Frame & Swing arm (no shocks or forks)
Oil tank
A front wheel with a 4 leading shoe set up and alloy rim. (unknown origin, possible Japanese)
A box full of bits including; Levers, headlight shell, lots of different bearings (new), Boyer ignition, Magneto and lots of nuts and bolts
2 alloy mudguards (no stays that I can see)
Seat base.

Can someone tell me what a fair price is for the above 'BitSA'.

I also need to add to my tool box as I've got all metric. Do I need AF or whitworth? and what are the most common size's needed.

I look forward to picking your brains,

Regards,

Richard.

[cyclobutch]

My view would be no more than a grand. For spanners you'll want BSF/BSW. Good luck.

[muskrat]

G'day Richard, welcome to the forum.
                                                  1/4", 5/16", 3/8", 7/16" ring/open end spanners and same in sockets BS/Whit.
A grand should be tops for that. I just paid $1000 AU for a going A65 minus a tank, mudguard and side covers. Just spent another grand on bits.
Cheers

[Goldy]

I would say no more than a grand. barrels you will find difficult to obtain.

[Bronco-BSA]

The asking price for the bike is 700 so It looks like I'm going to have a BSA to work on.

I looked on the internet for spanners and sockets and I'm totally confused, is BSF the same as BSW? and where does Whitworth fit in?

Cyclobutch,
I see you have a Griso, nice. I had a Breva for the last 3 years and loved every minute of it, only just changed to the FJR as it's more comfortable for touring, especially for the wife on the back. I'm missing it so much.

Richard.

[Pilgrim]

Hiya, welcome to the forum,
BSW is British Standard Whitworth.
Don't be surprised if you find a mixture of threads though, after 50 years
anything could have been used to put it together!
Try www.stainlessmiddleton.co.uk, clicking on 'Which Thread', shows a useful thread comparison chart.

[Bronco-BSA]

Thanks for that Pilgrim, I think I understand the spanner size's now. I was expecting to find a mixture of threads and a bit of metric thrown in especially with the Japanese front wheel.

All being well I pick the bike up next Sunday, I'm looking forward to muching  through everything and seeing exactly what's there and  what's missing.

Richard.

[a10gf]

Welcome aboard, and hoping the forum will be of help.

[Goldy]

Richard welcome to British Bikes. The thread situation is a bit confusing. Whitworth or BSW is British Standard Whitworth which is a course thread. BSF British Standard Fine is a fine thread. BSA in the A10 era also used BSC which is British Standard Cycle which is even more of a fine thread. This was because the bikes vibrated so much and it was to prevent bolts shaking loose. You will find BSW threads used where there are tapped holes in the engine casing such as the cylinder base bolts. This is because the course thread is better in the soft material. Most bolts will be BSC and will be 1/4",  5/16" and 3/8".
They all use the same spanner size but this gets a bit more confusing because although they are all the same spanners the BSW is designated as 1/16" less so for example a 3/8" bolt will require a spanner marked 5/16W 3/8 BSF. All my spanners are 45 year old and if you buy them from autojumbles or car boots they will be marked as such. Don,t know about the modern versions.
All the best Goldy

[Pete Gray]

I wonder if you'll also get a photo of your A10 at the top of the Grossglockner pass ?

[Topdad]

Welcome Richard, Hope you enjoy your new toy, the knowledge the people who post on this forum have  is quite unbelieveable and they are so helpful and friendly. Re the spanner/sockets there are socket sets x bsw (8) on evilbay at present at about £10 which I've found to be very good value only 3/8 drive but adequate. best wishes BobH.

[RoadRunner]

Welocme Richard,
Not a bad price - I've just rebuilt my A7 plunger after x number of years as a project in progress; hence I have a bit experience of who I consider good to use and some on those I wouldn't touch again; including purchasing of essential tools! I see you're in Birmingham - me, slightly north near Burton upon Trent. If I can be of any help just give me a mail.
Good Luck..
RoadRunner

[Bronco-BSA]

Richard welcome to British Bikes. The thread situation is a bit confusing. Whitworth or BSW is British Standard Whitworth which is a course thread. BSF British Standard Fine is a fine thread. BSA in the A10 era also used BSC which is British Standard Cycle which is even more of a fine thread. This was because the bikes vibrated so much and it was to prevent bolts shaking loose. You will find BSW threads used where there are tapped holes in the engine casing such as the cylinder base bolts. This is because the course thread is better in the soft material. Most bolts will be BSC and will be 1/4",  5/16" and 3/8".
They all use the same spanner size but this gets a bit more confusing because although they are all the same spanners the BSW is designated as 1/16" less so for example a 3/8" bolt will require a spanner marked 5/16W 3/8 BSF. All my spanners are 45 year old and if you buy them from autojumbles or car boots they will be marked as such. Don,t know about the modern versions.
All the best Goldy

I think I'm getting it, once the bike is safely in my shed I will be onto ebay where there seems to be a reasonable selection of spanners and sockets.

[Bronco-BSA]

I wonder if you'll also get a photo of your A10 at the top of the Grossglockner pass ?

I don't see why not, just depends how good a rebuild I make, but I think it may be a couple of years.

[Bronco-BSA]

Welocme Richard,
Not a bad price - I've just rebuilt my A7 plunger after x number of years as a project in progress; hence I have a bit experience of who I consider good to use and some on those I wouldn't touch again; including purchasing of essential tools! I see you're in Birmingham - me, slightly north near Burton upon Trent. If I can be of any help just give me a mail.
Good Luck..
RoadRunner

Many thanks for the offer of help, it's nice to find someone local with local knowledge. I've found a British bike dealers on the internet that's by you, are they worth a visit.
Cheers, Richard.

[RoadRunner]

Hi Richard, All depends which dealer you mean, there's one or two around, only one dealer nearby deals only on the web which is a shame.

As for tools I bought just two really decent spanners since I replaced 90% of fixings with stainless being as I didn't have the originals - not sure of the quality off ebay?

If you need tinware/tanks fixing know of a great guy in north Notts if you can put up with the abuse!

Get cracking before the temp drops!

Roadrunner

[Goldy]

C and d used to be in Acocks Green, Birmingham but have moved to Henley in Arden, but not far away http://www.canddautos.co.uk/

[Bronco-BSA]

Finally picked the bike up yesterday, looks like I've got my work cut out. Due to the bits I've got or haven't this is going to be a cafe racer project. My first job is to go through everything and see exactly what parts I've got and also check the engine and frame numbers out. Which brings me to my first question? The front wheel hub appears to be from a Suzuki GT750, what forks will fit both frame and hub and what modifications am I going to have to make?

[Pilgrim]

Hi Richard,
Looks like you're going to be kept out of mischief for some time with that project!
Do you think I should warn e-bay? At least being on this forum you're in the right place
for plenty of help and info.   
Don't forget to keep us in touch with your progress.
Cheers.

[bl**dydrivers]

Hi Richard, welcome to the forum and Im Tony

You sure have got allot of work with that project, if you want it back to a standard machine. It doesnt look much different from how myn looks, at least myn came with BSA forks and hubs.

Post some progress pictures, Im sure everyone would like to keep upto date with it and will keep us motivated.