Hello all, I am new to this forum.
I went to view a nice looking plunger Golden Flash yesterday with strong intent to buy, but found an anomaly which worries me:
The bike is allegedly from 1954, and the engine number BA 10 11*** broadly corroborates this, also supported by a letter from the science museum confirming a date of despatch of this engine in Dec 1954.
The (original) reg number XBR*** links with the frame number in the logbook FA 78***. However, this would appear to be from a 1958 A7 or A10 with a swinging arm frame. Even if the plunger frame was being made in 1958 (as far as I know it was made until 1957), it would have carried a completely different frame number. It doesn't look to me like a swinging arm frame can be converted to plunger by bolting on a different rear section (unlike my 49 AJS model 18, which can be converted either way).
How is this possible? Is it likely that the frame number has been tampered with? Should I now walk away (pity, as it seems a nice bike).
Thanks in advance for all advice and suggestions.
Barry
Presume the FA7 number is on a plunger frame?
If frame has been badly smothered with powder coat numbers can be masked - is it clearly stamped and visible?
Old log book or a new style V5C?
If it does not have a V5C then getting an age related plate would likely be an issue with the number problem.
If it has a V5C then I would say the number issue reduces the value significantly from a similar bike with proper numbers.
FA7 prefix only used on swinging arm frames, if its on a plunger then something odd going on.
The number plate is also odd - XBR*** is a Sunderland plate issued from March 1964.
Lots more bikes out there looking for new owners.
Hi Julian, thanks for the reply. It has a new style V5C.
I have clear photos of that frame number now (paint has now been rubbed off) and it does look like a factory stamping, but the frame is definitely the (very different) plunger. As far as I know, it is not possible to cut and shut a swinging arm front with a plunger rear (or is it?)
I had the reg number wrong, sorry - typo - it is XDF ***, which was issued in Gloucester in 1959.
Regards, Barry
Major engineering to convert swinging arm frame to plunger and fit all the plunger parts in it.
Dont suppose there is another frame number stamped on it?
Perhaps not one for the purist but it is what it is and no doubt has something interesting in its history.
Thanks for that.
Reduced value apart, is it legal? Could the bike ever be confiscated from whoever bought it in good faith?
Regards, Barry
If in any doubt look for another.
Either way, this bike would now be considered by the authorities as a reconstructed classic as it clearly has bits which originated over a number of years. Firstly, it wouldn't be MOT exempt and I wonder if a new keeper tried to get the V5C changed, the DVLA could withdraw the current number and issue a Q plate. I for one wouldn't risk it. Walk away!
Just because a stamped number look like a factory job, is doesn't mean to say it is. I strongly suspect that the frame has been stamped to match a log book that someone has got hold of.
:)
Hi
When in doubt-----theres no doubt. Unless you are up for maybe some serious problem solving------walk away.
Mike 8) 8)
Thanks for all replies - very helpful.
The VMCC have now done a search of the factory records which show the bike carrying that frame number left the factory on November 1958 as a swinging arm Golden Flash.
Regards, Barry