Hi well known auction house Shannons has a 1932 BSA 600 S/Valve for sale with UK reg of RSK318 and engine Z9462,Frame Z1105.They claim it is from deceased estate in UK. BSA did not make a 600(595) in 1932 only 1933 to 1935 and engine and frame numbers were A11.111,B13.111.E11.111. I cannot find a Z engine number for a BSA. Plus tank cap is bayonet type not screw in type.Have we got a 1931 500 confused with made up engine and frame numbers or did they make a 1932 in limited numbers?
John

email (option): ukcarbs@hotmail.com

There's a 1932 model H9 deluxe (H32-9) that's a 550cc SV Sloper, Engine numbers & frame numbers for 1932 were starting with Z
An H32-9 deluxe 5.57HP would have an engine number starting Z9 & a frame number starting Z8.
Frames in 1932 with numbers starting Z1 were for 250/350cc models.
One possibility is that they misread the frame number & its a Z7 frame, which is a 500cc model.

The 600cc (595) bikes you mention from 33 onward like the M33-10 sidevalve had engine numbers starting A10.101 frame number A10.101 whereas the OHV version the M33-11 had engine numbers starting A11.101 but the frame was the same as the SV being stamped A10.101
Same method used for the 1934 engines, B12.101 SV, B13.101 OHV
In 1935 engine E10.101 SV, E11.101 OHV
They made the 595cc M10 SV in 1936 also, Engine D10.101 frame D10.101
After that the M21 ....

John,

Sorry about the shameless plug but have a look at my website about 1930's BSA bikes:
the old one: BSA motor cyles 1930-1940
the new and not yet complete one: BSA 1930s motorcycles

Fred is right about the numbers. Z11 was a prefix for engines but not for frames the Z10 prefix was the highest and it was for the V twin model.

Update: a DVLA check revealed: 557cc engine so definitely a H32-9 SV Sloper. Date of first registration: 24 03 1932

Regards,
Leon

email (option): leonhop3@planet.nl

Thanks a lot Fred and Leon, that clears it up for me.Leon are there any year and model BSA photos that you require up to 1942?
Regards
John

email (option): ukcarbs@hotmail.com

John,

I have all the original catalogues from 1928 up to 1940 except the motorcycling annual for 1931. That 1931 brochure is still on my hitlist.
But what I also would like to have are some nice period pictures of 1930s BSA motorcycles. I have a few but I could do with some more.

Regards,
Leon

email (option): leonhop3@planet.nl

Leon, you say you have the 1928 models catalogue ?
Im looking for all info I can get on the 1928 model line up & photos.

Fred,

If you give me some time I could scan the catalogue and mail you the pictures.

Do you have a 1928 model?

Regards,
Leon

email (option): leonhop3@planet.nl

No, I've been offered one & at some point the OHV version of the model "L" went from parallel pushrods to "wigwam" shape & I think it happened in 28, but I've seen alot of conflicting "restorations" & I want to learn about the model before getting one, as the "wigwam" pushrods may have just been the twin port, or maybe just the Supersports.
Either way 1928 seems a year of confusion for me & it would be great to have a catalogue scan, I will mail you on the subject, no big rush. Thanks.