1928 BSA tyres

[jmazpiazu]

Hi,

A good friend of mine is restoring a BSA bicycle. It appears to be a Special Road Racer from 1928. He already had the frame painted and the parts nickel plated. He also got a lovely Brooks B17 saddle.

Here are some photos of the parts:

Soon he will have all the parts to get the bike together but he is having quite a trouble to find some period correct tyres, as shown in this beautiful example (not the same model, btw):

As far as we know, BSA used tubeless tyres mounted on wooden rims at that time but we have not been able to find any for sale. Are these hard to come by? Any clue to find a pair of tyres for this sweet bike will be much appreciated.

Thank you,

JM

 

[Agency_Scum]

Your best bet for oddness of tyre ( as far as I can tell ) is S.J.S. Cycles of Bridgwater. Good luck!

 

[fiks]

As far as we know, BSA used tubeless tyres mounted on wooden rims at that time

Perhaps you mean tubular tyres.

 

[keithglos]

Tubular tyres are easily found, just a bit of care to select something to look like the original.
The bright parts look like chrome, but you mention nickel, which is correct for pre 1930. I have never seen a saddle of that colour more than a few years old, they are a recent product.
I would like to see some more close up pics of the lugs, bottom bracket, and the rather unusual seat tube, and how it is joined to the bottom bracket. I would have expected BSA to use their world famous solid ends in 1928, not the cheaper trapped ends and seat stay top.
Should the spokes be black enamelled 15/17G?

 

[jmazpiazu]

Your best bet for oddness of tyre ( as far as I can tell ) is S.J.S. Cycles of Bridgwater. Good luck!

Many thanks for your input. Much appreciated!

 

[jmazpiazu]

As far as we know, BSA used tubeless tyres mounted on wooden rims at that time

Perhaps you mean tubular tyres.

Yes, that’s what I meant. Thanks!

 

[jmazpiazu]

Tubular tyres are easily found, just a bit of care to select something to look like the original.
The bright parts look like chrome, but you mention nickel, which is correct for pre 1930. I have never seen a saddle of that colour more than a few years old, they are a recent product.
I would like to see some more close up pics of the lugs, bottom bracket, and the rather unusual seat tube, and how it is joined to the bottom bracket. I would have expected BSA to use their world famous solid ends in 1928, not the cheaper trapped ends and seat stay top.
Should the spokes be black enamelled 15/17G?

Thanks a lot for your comments.

Parts have been nickel treated just a week ago, that’s why they look so shiny. As you mention, my friend chose this treatment for being correct on a pre 1930 bike.

On the other hand, my friend chose the B-17 from Brooks due to the very nice look and colour, and its shape, quite close to the original. We know that it is not period correct part but we think it suits the frame nicely.

Here are the requested images.

Bottom bracket:

Lugs:

Seat post:

As far as we know, original spokes that came with the bike are made of steel and had been replaced with some new stainless steel, as originals were in quite an awful shape.

 

[keithglos]

Thanks for the extra pictures, which clearly show the solid cast bridge in the chain stays, and the solid rear ends, all look like BSA.
BSA supplied all frame building components and parts all round the world, and were the top class for particularly track racers. And were mainly responsible for the worldwide 24 TPI, even in metric areas.
By 1928 most BSA built top spec sports/racers had fully brazed frames, and the roadster style fames had cheapened to the trapped ends.
I will try to find a catalogue of BSA parts for the period, you may have one already.
Keith

 

[jmazpiazu]

Thanks for the extra pictures, which clearly show the solid cast bridge in the chain stays, and the solid rear ends, all look like BSA.
BSA supplied all frame building components and parts all round the world, and were the top class for particularly track racers. And were mainly responsible for the worldwide 24 TPI, even in metric areas.
By 1928 most BSA built top spec sports/racers had fully brazed frames, and the roadster style fames had cheapened to the trapped ends.
I will try to find a catalogue of BSA parts for the period, you may have one already.
Keith

Many thanks for your input, Keith.

I´ll be happy if you could find a catalogue, as we do not have any written information yet.

Thanks in advance.

 

[keithglos]

This is the best I can find
http://www.flickr.com/photos/75395133@N ... 633777810/

Reference to models 27 or 17 is close.
Keith