Mercian
I live for the CABE
Hi @101259MB, and welcome.
Including yours, I've now seen six or seven first patterns that I can think of. The first ever saw, some 25 years ago, belongs to a guy called Nigel Silver in Derbyshire, UK. There have been two good examples on this site, plus yours, and another three that I've seen on the UK show circuit over the years, although It could be that I have seen yours there, hence the six or seven.
And here's another I found whilst checking what I've written below. Frame only, though.
Yours is a nice example of a rare bike. It is not known how many were made before the 'Second Pattern' went into production. Probably between 4000 and less than 10000. It's even possible the numbers were mixed at the changeover. They were being made as fast as possible! Nigel's is R1179, and yours is R4154 which tends to support this. The one above is apparently R29531, which seems a very late number.
It is not known where the BSA Parabike R numbers start from, three figure serials have been reported, but it is not known what type of frame, and the number location on the dropout leads to them being damaged easily by the wheel nuts.
To add to the serial number mystery, I own an early second pattern where the number start with a T, T13439, photos here: https://hmvf.co.uk/topic/39224-bsa-parabike-with-odd-serial-number/
The grips are fragile, being made of Cellulose Acetate, and are often broken. The frames of these first patterns are also prone to breakage at the bb, where they are often rewelded. Original saddles in decent condition are rare too.
Technically being 5 or 10 times rarer than a second pattern, equivalent condition bikes should certainly show a noticable premium. I don't offer bike valuations, so I'll leave it at that.
Just for information, here is a better quality copy of the original photo used in the article you linked to. Original source not known, possibly IWM.
Best Regards, Adrian.
PS if 101259MB is a jeep, I own MB102519.
Including yours, I've now seen six or seven first patterns that I can think of. The first ever saw, some 25 years ago, belongs to a guy called Nigel Silver in Derbyshire, UK. There have been two good examples on this site, plus yours, and another three that I've seen on the UK show circuit over the years, although It could be that I have seen yours there, hence the six or seven.
And here's another I found whilst checking what I've written below. Frame only, though.
Yours is a nice example of a rare bike. It is not known how many were made before the 'Second Pattern' went into production. Probably between 4000 and less than 10000. It's even possible the numbers were mixed at the changeover. They were being made as fast as possible! Nigel's is R1179, and yours is R4154 which tends to support this. The one above is apparently R29531, which seems a very late number.
It is not known where the BSA Parabike R numbers start from, three figure serials have been reported, but it is not known what type of frame, and the number location on the dropout leads to them being damaged easily by the wheel nuts.
To add to the serial number mystery, I own an early second pattern where the number start with a T, T13439, photos here: https://hmvf.co.uk/topic/39224-bsa-parabike-with-odd-serial-number/
The grips are fragile, being made of Cellulose Acetate, and are often broken. The frames of these first patterns are also prone to breakage at the bb, where they are often rewelded. Original saddles in decent condition are rare too.
Technically being 5 or 10 times rarer than a second pattern, equivalent condition bikes should certainly show a noticable premium. I don't offer bike valuations, so I'll leave it at that.
Just for information, here is a better quality copy of the original photo used in the article you linked to. Original source not known, possibly IWM.
Best Regards, Adrian.
PS if 101259MB is a jeep, I own MB102519.
for sale see more.
