ca 1915-16 BSA

[JPB]

Well I thought i'd share a picture of my latest purchase...my dream bike, taken years to get one......now to get it running.

If any AMCA members out there know of other examples or spare parts.... PLEASE let me know.

I know that one of the former AMCA presidents, Mr. T. A. Hodgdon, had the same model BSA (LIC. No. DE 1843) - have a look at in this years Calendar.

(also the article in "Cycle World" Feb. 1964 p20-22 on Mr. Hodgdon's BSA)

Anyone now know of its whereabouts?

This is a BSA Ca 1915-16 Model K
Chain-cum-belt drive.

JP

e-mail:jbingham@clarkson.edu

[JPB]

Here's it helps if attach the picutre!

Ca. 1915-16 BSA model K
See if this works

[JPB]

engine side view

Ca. 1916 engine

[JPB]

Spare Engine 1

Was lucky to obtain a Ca. 1915 engine bottom end in the UK.

I'll use this one on the Ca 1915 frame

[JPB]

And another spare Engine

This is a Ca 1916 engine - basically complete

[JPB]

New oil pumps

found these in the UK too

[JPB]

other parts

these being the drive pulley, footboards, gearbox parts and a spare carbie

[JPB]

The original product

what it should look like

[JPB]

WWI war issue

BSA Model Ks (chain-cum-belt) and Hs (all chain drive) were used by British and Commonwealth forces during WWI.

Pictured is the basic war issue - these going to the Russian and French govts.

Notice the difference between the two - naturally the Govt. issue is in plain colours, less nickel etc.

If you interested to learn more about pre-30 BSA - there is a group of us world wide who keep them going...

REMEMBER 1 in 4 was a BSA - in the hight of its day, adding the next two competitors sales numbers together, you still needed those figures to be doubled to reach the number of BSAs being sold world wide in the 1920's!

JP

[AdminGuy]

Great pictures! Thanks. I was shocked at how much umph it takes to kick one of those things over. It felt like a huge stroke. What is the stroke on that?

[JPB]

specifications

Hi Admin Guy...

actually it's not that bad - just takes coordination with the decompression lever - and having a strong magneto and good carbie.....

...and having legs as thick as tree trunks!

The engine is 557cc (4 1/4 H.P.), bore 85 mm, stroke 98 mm

yea so pretty big!

JP

[AdminGuy]

Huhh, So let me pull a NASA engineering trick here. That would be ahhh...
3 7/8". approx. Yup, shes big. relative to bore.

Nahhh it just feels big. Age dependant.

[JPB]

old tricks - old dog

Yes that is funny - even back in 1916 they were using mm instead of imperial units for some parts.

But still talking in thou as in inches under or over in ring size.

Even more so on the same information page they talked about pints and gallons for the oil and petrol!

Also 577cc and 4 1/4 H.P.

A time of great measurement and volume confusion!

[gtsickle]

I also have a 1916 K model,have had it almost 2 years and ride it often around Maui where I live. Dont know if you have seen David Brailey's site htt://www.kaizen-pl.com/vetbsa.html its right up your alley. gtsickle

[JPB]

1916 BSA

Hi
gtsickle, David B. and I are old mates - both having a love for prewar BSAs, and he lives just near my fathers place in Australia.

We are actually thinking of starting up a club (internet) for pre-30's BSAs only

DO you have any pictures of your BSA?

Any hints and pit falls about restoring etc

cheers

JP