Description
This is Lot 306 in the Bonhams Spring Stafford Sale on April 20 & 21, please see the Bonhams website for full details.
During the 1930s its advertising slogan - 'One in Four is a BSA' - reflected the Birmingham-based company's status as the world's largest motorcycle manufacturer. In 1927 BSA had introduced the influential 'Sloper' (so called because its inclined cylinder) thereby starting a trend that saw many of its rivals launch similar machines. Nevertheless, models with vertical cylinders continued to form part of BSA's extensive range, outliving the Sloper when the fashion for inclined cylinders faded. The '27 Sloper featured a trend-setting saddle tank that afforded a low seating position, and for 1930 gained chromium-plated brightwork and a new frame with forged steel spine. For 1930 the Birmingham firm offered no fewer than 18 models, six of which had inclined engines. The Sloper range remained essentially Vintage in character until its demise in 1935, by which time the line-up had shrunk to just two models: one overhead-valve, the other sidevalve, both of 595cc.
An older restoration, this sidevalve Sloper is offered for recommissioning, or possibly more extensive renovation, and thus is sold strictly as viewed (the engine turns over). The late owner purchased the BSA at Brooks' Stafford Sale in October 1998 (Lot 459). Accompanying paperwork includes some old invoices; two old-style logbooks (1954 and 1957); and an old V5 stating that the machine was 'previously registered and/ or used'.
