I'd appreciate any help to identify the year and specific model of the BSA in this photo. The photo was taken of my father in 1955 or 1956 aboard a BSA that he owned while serving in the Air Force in Chaumont, France. Anyone able to identify it? I'm hoping to find a similar year/model for eventual restoration. Thank you!
Can't be exact on the date but it would have been upto a couple of years old in the photo.
It is either an A10 (650cc) or A7 (500) twin.. Excluding cylinder head fins the the A10 has 8 and the A7 has 7.
If you have any record of frame number then the BSAOC coiuld provide a dating certificate with exact model number (you'll need to be a member though)
Dean - Thanks for the reply. Unfortunately, he sold that bike before he returned to the US (and just a few years before I was born). As such, I don't have any more detail on the bike (this photo and my moms stories are my only clues). Dad passed many years ago so - again - not a lot to go on. However, your insight is really helpful. Now to see if I can count the number of fins from that photo!
it looks like an A10 Gold Flash 1955 with the ariel hubs, nice looking bike and cracking picture thanks for posting it.
Excellent! Thanks for the feedback. Truly appreciate it.
Regarding the photo, it's my favorite all-time pic of my father. It demonstrates both his sense of adventure and discriminating taste in motorcycles!
if it was a Triumph he was on i could have sworn your father was Steve McQueen :D
Any other military pics?
cheers derek
Derek - Ha! I don't think he ever jumped a fence fleeing the Germans. He'd certainly have shared that story with me! However, he actually did own a 1953 Triumph while in Europe, as well. I've got registration paperwork but no photos of that bike. He bought the Triumph in 1956 for $200 USD. Chassis number was 38829. Finding that actual bike (if it still exists) would be and epic feat! Wish I had the chassis numbers on the BSA. Cheers!
Quote from: aintexactlyrossi on 16 Mar, 2019, 18:01
Derek - Ha! I don't think he ever jumped a fence fleeing the Germans. He'd certainly have shared that story with me! However, he actually did own a 1953 Triumph while in Europe, as well. I've got registration paperwork but no photos of that bike. He bought the Triumph in 1956 for $200 USD. Chassis number was 38829. Finding that actual bike (if it still exists) would be and epic feat! Wish I had the chassis numbers on the BSA. Cheers!
38829 would be a pre unit T100 or T110 Triumph, i would think he would have had a 650 T110!
Nice bike.
With those hubs it could be dated anytime from August 1955 through to end of July 1957. I believe that those winged badges were only used for those years on the A10 swinging arm with the Ariel hubs the A7 had the round badges.