Help dating a (very) old BSA

[stuartp]

Hello all,

Thanks for accepting me.

My wife bought this vintage BSA years ago, and we have kept it going since.
We think it’s from the ‘20s but that is based purely on guess work, is there a more accurate way to date it from the frame number or markings.

Oh and apologise in advance for the bag & basket, but what can you do…

TIA,

Stuart.

 

[Jonny69]

Hi, it’s not 20s. BSA and many others made town bikes like these with stirrup brakes pretty much identically from the late 30s right into the 70s. Raleigh swallowed up a lot of brands like BSA in the late 50s. I had a late 70s Triumph built by the Raleigh group which looked almost identical.

I’m not an expert on these but I’m tempted to say it’s not 1940s or earlier because it’s got an open chaincase. The frame number on the seat clamp sort of looks like a Raleigh number and the W would suggest it was built at the Worksop factory. If it’s a Raleigh number, it’ll be after 1957. The BSA logo on the bottom bracket shell also looks later, but again I’m not an expert. Someone else would have to confirm.

Has it got a Sturmey Archer at the back? They have a date code and it’s usually the quickest way to put a date on it.

 

[stuartp]

Thanks for the reply, its a single speed do doesn’t have Sturmey Archer.
My wife bought this the bike second hand in ‘76 and believes the old lady she bought it from had it for about 30 years before that.
From Googling images one from ‘23 looked the closest hence that guess it wasn’t anything more scientific than that.
I think.. the chain should be fully enclosed at some point, but that part may have got lost along the way, like the section at the top of the rear sprocket

 

[Guinessisgoodforyou]

I think it could be 20s or 30s. The chaincase is missing its disc to cover the chainwheel. It will have a small sliding piece also. It is also missing the upper rear quadrant of the chainguard. I'm fairly sure its not a Raleigh takeover BSA because of the cast bottom bracket shell with BSA on it. The top tube, head tube joint is pre war in style. It could be later, I don't think so as it has chrome which was in short supply post WW2. I hope this helps.

@bagpuss @vcballbat

 

[bagpuss]

Have a look at the old bicycle museum on line ,lots of information available .

 

[Guinessisgoodforyou]

Have a look at the old bicycle museum on line ,lots of information available .

Ha! Just tagged you

 

[Jonny69]

The top tube, head tube joint is pre war in style.

I spotted that too and I have to admit it threw me because on a Raleigh-built bike I would have expected to see a flush-mounted tube. I was going to mention it but like I said, I’m not an expert on these bikes!

Interesting about the BSA cast bottom bracket and the missing bits from the chain case. I *think* a later bike might not have had bolted stays either.

 

[Guinessisgoodforyou]

I spotted that too and I have to admit it threw me because on a Raleigh-built bike I would have expected to see a flush-mounted tube. I was going to mention it but like I said, I’m not an expert on these bikes!

Interesting about the BSA cast bottom bracket and the missing bits from the chain case. I *think* a later bike might not have had bolted stays either.

It's rather nice Agreed regarding stays too.

 

[Guinessisgoodforyou]

Just enlarged the frame number WF could *maybe * stand for war finish. Lots of machine tools had "war finish accuracy as normal" plates.
The chrome is the fly in the ointment.
Edit @stuartp do the rims have any evidence of being chrome plated?Still a lot of chrome though.

 

[grantoury]

Is it chrome or could it be nickel?