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Old Photographs, Recognition, Handwriting Deciphering => Handwriting Deciphering & Recognition => Topic started by: Adrianne on Wednesday 23 December 09 08:50 GMT (UK)
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Hi all, :)
This photo is of my grandfather, dated the early 1930's, in country Western Australia. Could someone tell me what make and model the motorbike is please?
Thankyou
Adrianne
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Appears to be a BSA.
http://motorbike-search-engine.co.uk/classic_bikes/bsa-classic-motorcycles.php
http://www.bsa.asn.au/
Made by: Birmingham Small Arms (Co. Ltd.).
Jamjar ;)
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Thanks, somehow missed that :-[
Is that all there is with motorbikes, no model names/numbers???
A
Thanks, just got your links, will go through them :)
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You may like to have a browse at the provided websites, as they have photos.
Jamjar
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It looks to me to be pre 1940, as all the bikes in the photos after 1940 have the thicker forks.
I'm sure a Brit bike enthusiast will come up with the model for you.
Jamjar
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Could this be it?
http://motorbike-search-engine.co.uk/classic_bikes/1935_BSA.jpg
* 770cc, SV (Twin)
* PS =25 / 3500 u/min
* Carburetor: Amal
* Ignation: Lucac Magdyno
Jamjar
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Hi Jamjar,
Thanks for the links, I thought it was a 1927 BSA S27. The body(?) (where the BSA is written) seems quite distinctive What do you think?
I believe the photo was taken not long before he got married in 1934 but there is no date on it. The number plate might imply that he was living in Katanning - "KA 117", in which case he was there 1930-34.
A
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Hi Adrianne,
I think that you're right in that the tank style with the label on it is similar to the 1927 BSA S27 but there are a number of differences. It definitely looks like a single (very upright) cylinder unlike the twin-cylinder 1935 model suggested by Jamjar, but there seem to be lots more solid parts at the base of the cylinder (almost to the front wheel) in yours and the S27 looks a lot more open.
Other differences are that yours seems to have the forks running through the front mud-guard, though that could be an artefact of the photo.
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Hi Dudley,
Thanks, yes it doesn't quite match does it. I hadn't noticed the mudguard thing, but also the steering looks a bit different too. :(
Adrianne
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Jus' my 'umble opinion, not being a h'expert........
I think the underslung petrol tank predates the handlebars, forks and engine.
I'm wondering if it's a "bitsa", or assembled from the parts of several different machines?
'Hat.
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:D Hi 'Hat
I reckon it's all over the shop too. Pity, I was hoping to be able to tell my dad what it was as a surprise. Oh well...
A
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Try the BSA Owners club in Australia - they may be more familiar with what was exported. The square tank and girders look 10 years older than the 1934 date to me.
Peter
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Just a thought, how about contacting the local vehicle registration authority at .........
http://www.katanningwa.com/government/
They may still have some historical records.
Seasons greeting's
Jack.
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We used to live in Wickham, WA in 73-76. My late husband restored a G14, looked fairly similar but it had a larger V engine, now back in the UK in my brothers spare bedroom! It was what they called a "Colonial model" - with a few differences to the usual UK models. One of the differences was a gear change lever on the tank, rather than foot pedal.
I'm sure if you go to Google UK and then go to the BSA Owners Club you should find the answer. My brother won't be back home for a couple of months, but I'll ask him when I see him next.
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http://www.vintagebike.co.uk/Bike%20Directories/BSA%20Bikes/pages/BSA-Round-Tank(3).htm.
This is quite close to your bike picture, but there are a whole load of BSA's on the above site...good luck..
http://www.vintagebike.co.uk/Bike%20Directories/BSA%20Bikes/BSA%20index.htm
for more BSA pic's to try..