A colour question

[MJM_58SR]

Hello all
Just wanted to ask some of the knowledgeable people about colour schemes for a 1958 super rocket.
My dad has this bike in the early 60's and I remember it was red, he then had it painted black. He said it was always red but I don't think it was.
The bike recently came up for sale so I bought it, it needs a bit of work but should be done for early next year.
I am having the tank and sides repainted as the paintwork is not in great condition and I've stripped the forks off as there is a clicking (found no shims fitted)
I've found blue paint under the top yoke, on the battery carrier bracket and flakes on the underside of the tank. The DVLA site shows blue. It's a UK bike.
Question is the information that I can find doesn't really show blue UK bikes, was it an option or did they come in blue as standard
Thanks

[JulianS]

1958 UK Rockets were available in red with black oil tank and tool box, or silver sheen or black, according to the 1958 spreadsheet catalogue.

[MJM_58SR]

Thanks Julian
There is definitely blue in the most difficult to reach places, the bike has had a paint job (not a good one either) in the past.
I was just wondering why it may have that colour on it!

[bikerbob]

The A10 Golden Flash from that year was available in Nutley Blue but some of the parts that you list the top yoke and battery carrier would have been painted black not blue.  On the cover of the Haynes Manual  for BSA A10 you will see picture of such a bike, with the age of your bike who knows what previous owners have done in regards to colour or replacing parts maybe the original tank was damaged  and replaced with a blue one from a Gold Flash.

[Greenfield]

Regarding the fork shims, what tends to happen over time on many of our bikes is that if the shim is say 10 thou, it can be squeezed out and disintegrate. You need to ensure that shims of 15 thou and above are fitted and there is no movement in the bush/shim once the circlip is fitted. Take a skim off the top of the bush if necessary and make sure that the surface is absolutely flat. If there's lateral movement in the shaft you may need to rebush, but avoid cheap repros.

[MJM_58SR]

Thanks for the reply, I've not been on the forum for a while so that's why I haven't replied sooner!
Back up and running now!