First Pattern BSA Paratrooper Bicycle Register

[Mercian]

Hi All,

The recent discussion about the number of First Pattern BSA Paratrooper bikes made has shown how little knowledge of the Fisrt and Second type BSA exist.

Worth of Original Pattern One Folding Bicycle | Military Bicycles

I have the exact bike in these photos. i got bike after it was documented. It is a Pattern One bike. Any help on value would be appreciated. Located in the US. https://onlinebicyclemuseum.co.uk/1942-ww2-bsa-airborne-bicycle-1st-pattern-r4152/

thecabe.com

Other than the Serial Number list compiled by Captain Stevens, which he admits is years out of date, there is almost no detailed information out there.

BSA Airborne Bicycle Survivors – www.captainstevens.com

I intend for this to be a listing of First Pattern BSA's, (twin saddle stem tubes) and have set up a similar page for Second Pattern BSA's.

Second Pattern BSA Paratrooper Bicycle Register | Military Bicycles

Hi All, To go alongside the register I'm compiling of First Pattern BSA Paratrooper bikes here: https://thecabe.com/forum/threads/first-pattern-bsa-paratrooper-bicycle-register.216089/ I am compiling a list of Second type BSA's in existance, to try to expand the knowledge base on them. Other...

thecabe.com

Images Credit : The Online Bicycle Museum

If you'd like to contribute, please post at least a photo of the bike, the Serial Number, , web link and location (if possible), and any other details you may have. There are bound to be duplications occasionally, but that's not a problem. I'll record what I can, and publish it here from time to time in the same way I do the Columbia anf Huffman G519 details.

Thank you for your help.

Best Regards,

Adrian

 

[Mercian]

To begin at the beginning...

R4154, currently with @101259MB in Arizona.

Image Credit : The Online Bicycle Museum

1942 WW2 BSA Airborne Bicycle, 1st Pattern (R4154) – The Online Bicycle Museum

1942 WW2 BSA Airborne Bicycle, 1st Pattern (R4154)

onlinebicyclemuseum.co.uk

 

[Mercian]

R3641

Photo Credit: Questmasters

Wartime Bicycles

WARTIME BICYCLES During the early 20th century, the bicycle was the easiest and most cost effective vehicle the military could purchase. In 1942, a contract was awarded to two bicycle manufacturers to produce the Government Model 519, or G519 Bicycle, to be used by all three branches of the...

www.questmasters.us

 

[Mercian]

Likely to be R2953

Ebay Listing:

 

[Mercian]

Serials R1228 (Left), R5381 folded, belonging to John @Houndsworth in California

The Silver one is a very late BSA, R77527

Photo Credit: Houndsworth

Worth of Original Pattern One Folding Bicycle | Military Bicycles

Anything is only worth what someone is willing to pay. Sell it in an auction or here on DOND. Guessing high or low doesn't accomplish anything. God bless The OP's "first model" is clearly a superlative specimen. What would one pay for a 9 out of 10 Autocycle sell for vs. a postwar B6? Original...

thecabe.com

John adds:

The hinges on 1228 are made from pieces of angle steel, not castings:

This was the standard production set up - castings. This on the very late bike but are the same on SN 5381:

It would be nice to know the earliest SN that got the hinges made from castings.

T-bolt with straight rod welded across the top of the bolt head is a very early feature:

Standard method was rod went through a hole in the head and each end was bent up:

An early feature was the pedal arms were not reinforced early. A thick section was added later:
Here is my 1228:

The 5381 is the same:

This is how most look, this from a 37XXX SN bike. Pedal driven inboard of course. I don't have a correct crank/pedal assembly on my late bike but I'd probably buy that from someone for the right price.

There may be other differences, I am not a big student of these.

 

[Mercian]

R1179 with Nigel Silver in Derbyshire, UK.

 

[Mercian]

R6599, soon to be with Mercian in France:

Photo Credit: Octothorpe

Reassembling BSA Paratrooper 1st pattern | Military Bicycles

Like a lot of people during the pandemic I'm taking some old projects down from the high shelves and getting them in order. Now it's time to reassemble my BSA Paratrooper (Airborne) bicycle, SN R6599. I bought this in 1997 and rode it a couple times, then stowed it away until 1999 when I began...

thecabe.com

 

[Mercian]

R1422 with the Online Bicycle Museum

Image Credit : The Online Bicycle Museum

1942 WW2 BSA Airborne Bicycle, 1st Pattern – The Online Bicycle Museum

1942 WW2 BSA Airborne Bicycle, 1st Pattern

onlinebicyclemuseum.co.uk

 

[Mercian]

R2485 with the Online Bicycle Museum

Image Credit : The Online Bicycle Museum

1942 WW2 BSA Airborne Bicycle, 1st Pattern Twin Tube (R2485) – The Online Bicycle Museum

1942 WW2 BSA Airborne Bicycle, 1st Pattern Twin Tube (R2485)

onlinebicyclemuseum.co.uk

 

[Mercian]

Uknown, UK

Picture Credit Velosolo

BSA Airborne Parabikes

VeloSolo disc hub mount cogs and parts and accessories for singlespeed and fixed wheel bikes. BSA Airborne Parabikes.

velosolo.co.uk