Motorbike ID - NB, obviously

[Wiggo]

OK, so while I'm dredging up old photos, can anyone identify the bike my dad was riding in 1951? I believe it's a BSA M20, but can't be sure...

<hr width=100% size=1>Nihil curo de ista tua stulta superstitione.

 

[Roy]

Could it be a Triumph? Can't make out the name on the fuel tank....

<hr width=100% size=1>What does this mean then?

 

[Dave_Snelson]

Quite possibly but the picture is too blurred to see. Take alook at the piccy of the nearest bike below and you will see similarities in the vintage BSA here - like the forks and the drive casing in black for example. The M20 was a 500cc side valve machine capable of a whopping 60 mph!

<hr width=100% size=1>Madoc Yacht Club
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.madocyachtclub.co.uk>http://www.madocyachtclub.co.uk</A>

 

[Wiggo]

pretty sure it's a Beezer from the tank markings and knee pads. I think the photo was taken in Northern Ireland, as he was stationed at Aldergrove for his National Service. That would tie in with the bike being an M20, as it could well have been a decommissioned RAF one.

<hr width=100% size=1>Nihil curo de ista tua stulta superstitione.

 

[ccscott49]

Not quite sure, I've ridde the M20 many times and that doesnt look like one, the M20 was a 500 sidevalve single, that looks overhead valve, could be wrong though right year for M20. The M21, was the AA bike and 600cc. ot sure, will check with my BSA guru. Also not sure any M20 escaped from the army until much later.

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[PhilF]

try here
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.thisisthenortheast.co.uk/the_north_east/members/virtualbantam/more.htm>http://www.thisisthenortheast.co.uk/the_north_east/members/virtualbantam/more.htm</A>

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[Wiggo]

they always take photos from the right, don't they! And I have one from the sodding left... No further forward, as I don't know what the zorst looked like.

<hr width=100% size=1>Nihil curo de ista tua stulta superstitione.

 

[Bejasus]

I think this looks more like a Silver Star

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[Wiggo]

I think you may be right on that - thanks.

<hr width=100% size=1>Nihil curo de ista tua stulta superstitione.

 

[Bejasus]

I used to ride one of these.

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[itsonlymoney]

I beleive that you are correct and that it is an M20. Father in law has an ex army one in our garage so I will print off pic and check visualy tonight.
Ian

<hr width=100% size=1>Play the best game you can with the cards you've been dealt ! ! !

 

[PhilF]

cant you check the numberplate with DVLA

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[itsonlymoney]

Dave
"a whopping 60mph"
Beleive me you do not want to do 60 on one of these babies !!!!!!
/forums/images/icons/laugh.gif
Ian

<hr width=100% size=1>Play the best game you can with the cards you've been dealt ! ! !

 

[Wiggo]

Didn't think Joe Public could do that, only Plod and his mates...

<hr width=100% size=1>Nihil curo de ista tua stulta superstitione.

 

[BarryH]

Did you buy it new h00?

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[itsonlymoney]

Incidentally my father in law who is 72 ended up in hospital last year after trying to kickstart an M20. He suffered an evil kickback and badly damaged his knee. Still walking with a stick and lots of discomfort. Neither him or I are that keen to try it again, I can't afford the time off work !!!
Modern starter motors are a wonderfull thing you know.
Ian


<hr width=100% size=1>Play the best game you can with the cards you've been dealt ! ! !

 

[Nauti Fox]

I rode a Triumph something and at 60mph it felt like Biggles going through the sound barrier in a biplane, and all the pedals were different, fine until something happened (which always did) and you reverted to the modern way round.

<hr width=100% size=1>No dear,the water goes in the other one.

 

[itsonlymoney]

Ha
Yep nothing worse than needing to brake heavily for the inevitable tractor vacating a field with a big scary sticky out thing on the back. Only to find that you just changed gear Aargh !!!!!!!! Banzai !!!!!!!!!! Sweet mother of god !!!!!!!!! etc.
Ian

<hr width=100% size=1>Play the best game you can with the cards you've been dealt ! ! !

 

[Bejasus]

no, it was my mate's and I bought it from him when he bought a C-15. Afraid I was only 7 or 8 when it was made and my pocket money wouldn't stretch that far then.

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[Nauti Fox]

As Eddie Lawson said at the American GP at Laguna after one of his mechanics fitted his front pads wrongly "Going into the corkscrew I pulled on the front brakes,nothing happened,I just did'nt know what to do and then 2 nuns ran across the track and then....


<hr width=100% size=1>No dear,the water goes in the other one.