Richard George is determined to get his late father’s BSA A10 in a fit state to ride in the 2024 Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride (DGR), and thanks to some help from BSA Motorcycles itself and the National Motorcycle Museum, that looks set to become a reality.
Richard inherited the 1957 registered machine when his father died of cancer in 2021. He’s been trying to fulfil his dad’s wish by finishing the project, and while he’s treated the bike to an electrical overhaul and re-registered it, Richard now says he’s “taken it as far as I can”.
That might have been the end of the story, but after sending BSA a note through its Facebook page, the manufacturer hatched a plan. Both BSA and the National Motorcycle Museum, which exclusively exhibits British bikes and related paraphernalia, will “fund and carry out the necessary work”.
The aim is to have the bike rideable in time for the 2024 DGR, an ideal event for the BSA. It involves thousands of riders taking the streets of cities around the world on classic motorcycles while smartly dressed, all with the aim of raising money for prostate cancer research and men’s mental health.
Next year’s event takes place on 19 May 2024, so there’s a decent amount of time to get the bike ready for then, but also a fair bit to get sorted. According to Wesley Wall, restorer at the National Motorcycle Museum, the 650cc parallel twin-powered classic currently has the wrong carburettor fitted, has a clutch issue, and needs a new mudguard.
Commenting on the project, BSA said: “This is a brand that means so much to so many people, and our heritage and legacy lives on in motorcycling communities and families. When we heard about Richard’s quest, we were touched by his story and keen to help him achieve his goal.”
