Lot details Registration No: N/A Frame No: N/A Engine No: 9022 cc: 499 MOT Expiry Date: N/A
Whilst firms such as Norton, Sunbeam, Scott, Rudge, Velocette, Excelsior AJS and Matchless looked to speed events such as the TT, Grand Prix and Brooklands as a way of promoting the superiority of their products, BSA tended towards reliability events which in their opinion were of more relevance to their potential customers. Trials, both of the long distance nature and later the section type, tests of reliability such as the Maudes Trophy and later scrambles all demonstrated the no nonsense durability of their products. Production racing also attracted their interest, although generally at arms length, the Goldie may have dominated the post war Clubman's TT but it was entered by privateers, the BSA works team concentrated their efforts on taking their Goldie's to success on the dirt. However, there was a period when the company sought glory at the highest level of competition at the TT. 1913 had seen a factory entry by the team although the largely standard motorcycles used did not meet with success. The First World War placed a stop on competition activities, but nearly two years after the armistice was signed the first post war TT was scheduled and BSA planned an assault with a full works team mounted on a dedicated racing machine, however, when tested the new machine proved to be disappointing and the company withdrew. Development commenced on a new machine to be ready for the 1921 TT featuring an inclined two valve engine with a cast iron head housed in a tubular frame with a sloping top tube.
The team embarked for the Island where, during practice the new model was found to suffer from some inherent faults. The handling was wayward and mechanical problems plagued the machines throughout practice and resulted in all six of the BSA works entries retiring before the start of the third lap of the Senior TT.
The machine offered is one of those built for the 1921 TT, a machine of great historical significance for the BSA company. It is presented in need of total restoration and accompanied by copies of articles written by Mike Worthington Williams in his "Finds and Discoveries" column in Old Bike Mart and a dating certificate issued by the BSA Owners Club.
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