BSA WWII Paratrooper Bike

[JoeG]

Anyone know anything about them? There's one for sale near where I live, but it looks like it will need a LOT of work...

http://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/bik/3433661562.html

Are these common at all in the UK? Is it possible to get something like this working again without a spending a small fortune?

 

[RustyGold]

Is it possible to get something like this working again without a spending a small fortune?

It would be my best guess to say 'no'. It looks like it's been neglected the entirety of it's life. It also looks like it needs a ton of work doing to it. There'd be practically unobtainium parts you'd need to source (or fabricate) and the condition of the frame, not to mention the seller's price, would put me right off...

However, I did find a good resource point for the BSA Paratrooper bicycle. I would be included to think that BSA is a more cherished brand in Britain and Europe, therefore availability should be better this side of the pond (in theory).

Anyway, have a gander at the link below, there's a good deal of information and a lot of period photographs. I wouldn't mind having one of these, they certainly out class any other folding bicycle on today's market (IMO)

BSA Paratrooper Bicycle Info: http://oldbike.wordpress.com/1939-1945- ... pers-bike/

 

[JoeG]

Thanks RG.

Even from the photos, I could tell that the one for sale is in bad shape, and I agree that $275 is too high. You're definitely right that parts would be harder to find in the US.

I agree that it would be neat to have one.

 

[JoeG]

As of today, the seller had removed the listing from Craigslist. I guess he sold it; $275 for one such poor condition surprises me!

 

[RustyGold]

As of today, the seller had removed the listing from Craigslist. I guess he sold it; $275 for one such poor condition surprises me!

Perhaps he did, although that's not to say he got his asking price though . Perhaps, with a bike as sought after, and frankly unusual/uncommon, as this availability will to some extent dictate price, with many collectors fighting over the few available models.

However, I still feel that the $275.00 asking price is/was too strong. The structural integrity of the frame would concern me. (I'd want a rolling chassis at the very least).

All said, this is a beautiful piece of British engineering and a slice of history too boot. If you had the resources to tackle such a demanding project (monetary, mechanical and time) then you may be able to make the aforementioned frame a feasible venture. The more I look at these bicycles the more I'm left in awe of them. I just adore the swooping curve of the frame, it just exudes elegance.

EDIT:

Just out of interest, I ran a completed auctions search in an effort to garner an accurate market value, the prices vary wildly. I feel the reasons for this being so is the condition of the respective bicycle and it's owners willingness to post.

A bicycle without the option of postage has brought a much lower premium than it's shippable counterpart, take a gander

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_n...os=&LH_SALE_CURRENCY=0&_sop=12&_dmd=1&_ipg=50

For those who fancy a punt on one in the UK, there is a running action at this very moment, I wouldn't anticipate it going cheap though .

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BSA-PARAB...sure_cycling_bikeparts_SR&hash=item43b6703095

Santa, if you're out there...