It’s simple to overlook how disruptive the early days of the pandemic actually had been. Routines collapsed, work stalled, and for lots of people, the compelled downtime uncovered extra than simply free hours. For Ben Rowett, August 2020 marked a low level—out of labor with stress and struggling to seek out footing. Nevertheless it additionally turned the beginning of one thing sudden: a primary customized motorbike, constructed slowly and intentionally in a shared storage along with his father.
Ben grew up round traditional British bikes, studying some from his father, however it wasn’t till this crossroads in his life that he dove in headfirst. Andy requested if he needed to assist with repairs and restorations throughout lockdown, not as remedy or a contemporary begin—simply one thing sensible to do along with his palms. That was sufficient.
Ben labored along with his father till the inspiration was too robust to depart on the again burner any longer. For almost a decade, he had envisioned a easy, old-school bobber with the visible line of a inflexible, and simply sufficient suspension to make it usable. He didn’t but know the platform. That modified when Andy handed him a guide of British bikes from the Forties and ’50s. Two bikes stood out instantly—a sprung hub Triumph and the BSA A10 with its plunger rear finish—each providing that hardtail silhouette with out the punishment.
When Ben talked about the A10, it should have felt like the celebrities had been aligning, as Andy had been storing an honest unique instance for a good friend. A telephone name later, and the 1955 BSA A10 Golden Flash was sitting within the storage, prepared for a brand new lease on life.
Earlier than something got here aside, they checked to see if it will run. The tank was stuffed with previous gasoline, and oil had settled within the sump, however Andy kicked it by. On the third kick, the engine fired to life, filling the storage with smoke and noise. Ben’s response—’Gordon’s alive’—caught. The identify did too.
From there, the construct unfolded with out drama. The A10 was stripped down, the engine pulled and inspected. Internally, it was remarkably clear. Moderately than chase upgrades, Ben selected to protect what was already proper, addressing solely the fundamentals—lapping valves, checking tolerances—refreshing what wanted consideration.
As a welder-fabricator by commerce, Ben began the place he was most snug: sheet steel. The oil tank was comprised of scratch, constructed within the storage utilizing fashioned sections and managers machined on a lathe to go well with the pipework. Inspiration got here from bikes he already knew nicely, his father’s Norton Mannequin 50 and a Scott TT reproduction, machines outlined by mechanical honesty above all.
That very same pondering knowledgeable the remainder of the construct. A nostalgic saddle was non-negotiable, echoing the bikes Ben had grown up round. It was commissioned from Alex Leathercraft in Germany, whereas every thing else that might moderately be made in-house was. The seat mount, engine head regular, headlight bracket and exhaust system—all fabricated by Ben, with minimal welding performed to the unique body.
Brass turned a refined theme, in each a practical and beauty sense. It began with a machined oil tank cap, then prolonged to smaller particulars just like the fork gaiter reducers, seat spring washers and fasteners.
The customized exhaust was comprised of 304 stainless, and completed with compact silencers mounted cleanly on the rear. Mudguards had been formed on an English wheel and stored intentionally restrained. Ben admits the entrance guard is essentially a formality, whereas the rear terminates simply past the axle line to protect the bobber profile. Tidy mounts had been improvised utilizing copper pipe and previous hydraulic brake banjos.
Electrics had been pared again to the necessities. Normal magneto and dynamo ignition, a easy lighting swap, duplex dip and horn. No clocks, no extra. The wiring loom was constructed from scratch and stored as minimal as potential, regulated by a contemporary AO unit hidden out of sight. Ben made the battery field as nicely, with a mild-steel construction and the highest retained by a brass strap. The of entirety got here later: a stable brass five-inch headlamp sourced from the US after a protracted search, changing an earlier Lucas unit and bringing the entrance finish into steadiness.
Paint duties went to Steve Slight at Joeby’s Airbrush Artwork, a long-time collaborator who had painted lots of Andy’s bikes through the years. Ben selected a period-correct BSA maroon and gold, monitoring down the proper RAL codes to get it proper. One element was added quietly, with out fanfare—a gold leaf handprint on the tank, primarily based on a emblem Andy had used on his helmets for so long as Ben might keep in mind.
Shakedown rides uncovered the same old realities. A house-made chain tensioner failed and was redesigned utilizing a Talon sprocket. A sticking throttle traced again to a concentric carb led to becoming the Amal Monoblock the bike ought to have worn from the beginning. Since then, Gordon has confirmed dependable, accumulating miles somewhat than modifications.
Just a few ultimate touches got here solely after dwelling with the bike, together with leather-based wraps for the tops of the fork legs and backers for the rubber knee pads. Small refinements made to not end the construct, however to make it really feel full.
The completion of Ben Rowlett’s BSA A10 deserves greater than only a thumbs up for a job nicely performed. Ben had a plan and caught to it, all whereas letting the small particulars determine themselves out as he went. Moreover, he turned a troublesome state of affairs right into a productive new enterprise, saving a languishing previous motorbike alongside the best way.
Pictures by, and with our eternal gratitude to, Del Hickey
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