BSA Owners' Club Forum

The BSA Workshop => Twins => Topic started by: Fred on 28 February, 2018, 22:18:07

Title: Help Restoring Gold Flash
Post by: Fred on 28 February, 2018, 22:18:07
Hi all
My name is Fred and Im 18. My Dad has recently given me his 1961 BSA A10 Gold Flash to get running. I have never worked on a bike that old and am not sure where to start and what needs doing. My goal, for now, is to get it to run and functioning properly before going crazy with full restoration as I am short on funds. What I know from speaking with my Dad is that in 1991 it was fully restored and original, the only exception being an engine rebuild by SRM. He then did A ball park figure of about 90,000 Miles on it, servicing and maintaining as he went. In 2001 my Dad put the Gold Flash away and hasn't ridden it since. The bike was perfectly running when it went away but has sat in a damp garage for 17 years. All I know for sure that needs doing is a split in the tank repairing and a new front brake (perhaps bonny twin leading?). Any advice and tips on what will need replacing and servicing to get it running would help massively!
Many Thanks
Title: Re: Help Restoring Gold Flash
Post by: AWJDThumper on 28 February, 2018, 22:47:07
It probably needs someone with a bit of experience to have a careful look at the bike to see what needs doing to it to get it running again. I've recently restored a bike that had stood idle for 11 years and that took a lot of effort with the main problem being the engine which had suffered very badly from exposure to damp conditions. Where are you based?
Title: Re: Help Restoring Gold Flash
Post by: CROFTY1984 on 01 March, 2018, 08:29:02
Hi Fred,
I agree with the guy above. First thing is to make a list of what needs doing and go from there. I'm sure someone nearby can help you with that. If you're near Norfolk I don't mind popping round. And well done for taking it on!
Dan
Title: Re: Help Restoring Gold Flash
Post by: CROFTY1984 on 01 March, 2018, 10:02:01
The carbs will almost certainly need cleaning. They're scary at first, but actually pretty basic. If you can ultrasonically clean them or have them done the better.
Best thing is to get something like a tea tray to stop them apart on and take lots of pictures as you go.
Digital camera/phone and a notepad and pen are some of the best tools you will ever own.
Title: Re: Help Restoring Gold Flash
Post by: JulianS on 01 March, 2018, 10:11:47
Read as much as you can before getting the spanners out. Lots of literature out there. It will prepare and inform you for the task ahead.
Title: Re: Help Restoring Gold Flash
Post by: AWJDThumper on 01 March, 2018, 11:39:42
The main issue is the state of the engine - if it has suffered any internal corrosion, attempting to start it up could result in considerably damage. This is exactly what happened to my recently restored bike's engine when the previous owner attempted to reinstate it after it had not been used for the 11 years.

The problem is that it is very difficult to establish the internal state of the engine without taking it apart. Mine didn't look too bad after a partial dismantle and it was only after the crankcases were split that the extent of the internal corrosion could be seen. For an A10, you might get away without the need for a full strip down but you are still talking about taking a lot of it apart to be able to do the inspection.
Title: Re: Help Restoring Gold Flash
Post by: A10 JWO on 01 March, 2018, 16:24:08
Where are you Fred, someone on here must be near by. Join the A7 A10 Forum as well, it's free. Don't take it apart yet.
Title: Re: Help Restoring Gold Flash
Post by: Fred on 01 March, 2018, 18:32:51
I have a decent understanding on bike mechanics and a few mates that restore bikes in there spare time and are very skilled at it so we shall be inspecting the condition of the engine, stripping the carb, ultrasonically cleaning it before i make any attempt to start it. Will also have the dynamo sent off to be serviced. Something that would help also is a list of perishables like gaskets and seals that'll need changing and where is best to get them. I live near Winchester and should be going to Kempton on the 10th for the auto jumble.
Title: Re: Help Restoring Gold Flash
Post by: Jackson on 04 March, 2018, 10:53:23
BSA Twin Restoration - Roy Bacon.
I find it invaluable.
It’s on Amazon.
Adrian
Title: Re: Help Restoring Gold Flash
Post by: Jackson on 04 March, 2018, 15:05:18
I’m in the middle of an A10 restoration, though this was just about a runner before I started.
I got strong advice to check the sludge traps, I did this and am very glad. They had never been opened and were full of deposits. I am told that if you use modern oil (with detergents and additives in it), it releases the sludge back into the engine with potentially unpleasant results.
I’m not going to fit wet sumping prevention measures, due to the worry that they will fail or I will forget to turn the valves back on. Can’t rely on myself these days 🙂