What type of motorbike is this please

[Adrianne]

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

[Jamjar]

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 

[Adrianne]

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 

[Jamjar]

You may like to have a browse at the provided websites, as they have photos.

Jamjar

[Jamjar]

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

[Jamjar]

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

[Adrianne]

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

[DudleyWinchurch]

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.

[Adrianne]

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