Second Pattern BSA Paratrooper Bicycle Register

[Mercian]

R14814 by Tonton Velo in Var, France

Photo Credits: Tonton Velo

BSA pliant, seconde guerre mondiale, N° R14814 - Forum Tonton Vélo

(Merci, Serge)

 

[Mercian]

R27816 by Tonton Velo in Var, France

Photo Credits: Tonton Velo

BSA pliant, seconde guerre mondiale, N° R27816 - Forum Tonton Vélo

(Merci, Serge (-

 

[Mercian]

R33587 of Rob Love in Shilo MB, Canada

Photo Credit Rob Love

BSA Folding Bicycle - MLU FORUM

BSA Folding Bicycle The Restoration Forum

www.mapleleafup.net

 

[Mercian]

R37618 of Capt. Colin McGregor Stevens in Canada

Photo Credit: Colin Stevens

For Sale: BSA Airborne Bicycle, 2nd model, COMPLETE and ORIGINAL - MLU FORUM

For Sale: BSA Airborne Bicycle, 2nd model, COMPLETE and ORIGINAL For Sale Or Wanted

www.mapleleafup.net

 

[Mercian]

R15077 of Bruno Bamdé, in Caen, France.

Photo Credit Bruno Bamdé

BSA Parabike

WW2 BSA Parabike in very good condtion. Comes with BSA crankset included. This Parakbike rides really well. Located in Caen, Normandy. €2,500 Ce BSA parabike roule très bien. Pédalier BSA inclus. €2,500 Caen, Normandie.

www.milweb.net

 

[Cossack38]

Hi @Cossack38

I came across this statement on the Captain Stevens website about Canadian BSA disposals. I know you're not in San Francisco, but perhaps yours is from the same source?

"A fair number were sold surplus in Western Canada by the Bay and by Capital Iron (surplus store). They sold for about $4 to $10 each. It has been reported that quite a few were repainted red and sold in the San Francisco area."

BSA Airborne Bicycle Survivors – www.captainstevens.com

Best regards,

Adrian

Someone did a pretty thorough repaint on mine, even painting the cranks to resemble chrome. Over the top of the paint was a bicycle store sticker from Sidney, BC. Sidney is on the Northern end of Vancouver Island. I presume that's where it was resold.

 

[ditchpig]

Someone did a pretty thorough repaint on mine, even painting the cranks to resemble chrome. Over the top of the paint was a bicycle store sticker from Sidney, BC. Sidney is on the Northern end of Vancouver Island. I presume that's where it was resold.

Sidney is on the Southern end of this Island, 21 km from Victoria. ....probably Russ Hays Bicycles.

 

[Mercian]

Hi All,

I'll be away from my computer a lot over the next couple of weeks, so responses are going to b a bit random.

However, I now have around 150 serial numbers (below), so can start some analysis.

First thing is to put them in numerical order, which already throws up a question or two.

As you can see from below, with a couple of exceptions, (R19000's, R23000's, R60000's we have at least one serial number from every thousand bikes built:

The main block of numbers then finishes

We don't have a bike in the 1, 2 or 3 figure serial number range, but several in each of the 4 figure thousands, which is pointing towards (though not confirming) serial numbers starting at R1000 or R1001

The main block of numbers then finishes at around R63000, then there are a couple more at R73000 and R77000. It seems a little strange that these serial numbers are missing, especially since they are such late bikes. Perhaps that's the answer, they were stored, or sent as a block overseas? Does anyone have any of the missing very late frame numbers to help fill this in?

Thanks,

Best Regards,

Adrian

Serial No
R1031
R1179
R1228
R1422
R1916
R2485
R2953
R3493
R3641
R4154
R5325
R5381
R6190
R6312
R6387
R6599
R7133
R7447
R8348
R9945
R10779
R11098
R12200
R12463
R13244
R13388
T13439
R14015
R14045
R14814
R15077
R16058
R16894
R16956
R17378
R17598
R17770
R17807
R17964
R18353
R20802
R21104
R21622
R22666
R22671
R22763
R22889
R22909
R22973
R24603
R25313
R25347
R25796
R25877
R25884
R25939
R26356
R26816
R27321
R27336
R27816
R28087
R28399
R28563
R28704
R29362
R29967
R29993
R30295
R30741
R31285
R31618
R31747
R31824
R31985
R32021
R32023
R32320
R32388
R32405
R33053
R33127
R33341
R33438
R33587
R33738
R34496
R34942
R35359
R35765
R36151
R36442
R36903
R37224
R37618
R38261
R38737
R38964
R39452
R39502
R40334
R40538
R40582
R40782
R41080
R42364
R42596
R43007
R43066
R43155
R43284
R43737
R44567
R44655
R45540
R45895
R45897
R46501
R47096
R47124
R47929
R48431
R49099
R49427
R50222
R50403
R51118
R51144
R52014
R52327
R52631
R52959
R53105
R54318
R54444
R55163
R56008
R57055
R57543
R57631
R57773
R58076
R59563
R59713
R61888
R62432
R62787
R62836
R73380
R77527

 

[Houndsworth]

My three are on post #18. The R77527 in the middle has an incorrect crank and pedal assembly (am looking for correct assembly), incorrect grips, leather is shot, everything else looks correct, two Firestone War Grades.

For the record, the two early ones in that pic are R1228 on the left, unrestored original, with two Dunlop WGs. This one has the T-bolt configuration as on my signature picture, and hinges made from angle steel. The folded black one is R5381 which has a coaster brake hub and incorrect rim, incorrect saddle (I'm sort-of looking for correct ones). The interesting thing about this one is the Avon Avebury WG front tire. "War Grade" smallish and only on one side. On the other side of that is a small, molded War Department broad arrow W/|\D. I wonder what other WG tires were made that way?

It would be nice to document just the different tire makes and their markings, and with pictures. Someday a company might reproduce these and if only one is copied it would be nice if it was the correct type for most bikes out there. For example, if the Firestone was only used later in production (not saying it was), better to offer a different brand.

This is a good place to mention there will be a "Military Motorcycle, Scooter, and Bicycle Showcase" in California, USA on April 21, 2023 at the Camp Plymouth Swap Meet & Military Vehicle Show which is April 19 through 22. This is the largest annual event for ex-military vehicles in the western USA. There will be BSAs besides my three there, a number of Welbikes and Cushmans, and of course some motorcycles like my '41 Indian 640. I am the coordinator and am hoping to hear from some expected participants well before the event. When I do I will ask them about their BSAs and report to you, Adrian.

I attached the flyer for the showcase. If anyone wants to attend, I can send the general event flyer. We attract military vehicle owners and fans from many states and several countries. Some combine this with visiting the many regional tourist destinations in Northern California. For example the tiny town of Plymouth dates from the Gold Rush that started in 1849. Many historic sites are along Highway 49, and San Francisco, Yosemite National Park, and Lake Tahoe are within a couple hours.

 

[Houndsworth]

Deleted post.