Good find at a garage sale?
09-10-05, 01:59 PM
#1
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I picked up a 3-speed BSA bike in 21" step-thru frame for $13 (priced at $15) at a neighborhood garage sale for my father in-law this morning. The bike is made in England with a leather Brooks saddle and a leather tool bag attached to the saddle. The bike has front and rear fenders as well as a chain guard. Tires are 26" x 1 3/8" and have markings of 37-590 and 55lbs/in2 - 3.8 ATM (not sure wat the 3.8 ATM means) along with the word coaster. It looks in pretty good condition with a few minor rust spots on the fenders, but otherwise looks great.
According to Sheldon Brown's site:
B.S.A. (Birmingham Small Arms) was an important independent manufacturer until the bicycle division was sold to Raleigh in 1957. Originally an armaments company, their logo represents 3 military rifles stacked in a tripod.
So do you think this is a good find? Anyone know the approximate year of this bike? Can I assume from Sheldon's site that the bike is before 1957 since BSA was sold to Raleigh then or did Raleigh still manufacture bikes under the BSA name? The seller, who looked to be in her early-to-mid 50's said it was a bike she used during her high school days.
According to Sheldon Brown's site:
B.S.A. (Birmingham Small Arms) was an important independent manufacturer until the bicycle division was sold to Raleigh in 1957. Originally an armaments company, their logo represents 3 military rifles stacked in a tripod.
So do you think this is a good find? Anyone know the approximate year of this bike? Can I assume from Sheldon's site that the bike is before 1957 since BSA was sold to Raleigh then or did Raleigh still manufacture bikes under the BSA name? The seller, who looked to be in her early-to-mid 50's said it was a bike she used during her high school days.
Last edited by Cyclops88; 09-10-05 at 02:06 PM.
09-10-05, 02:07 PM
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I guess I should have posted this in the classic/vintage section.
09-10-05, 04:17 PM
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BSA went out of business somewhere in the 70's, I think (at least, their motorcycle manufacturing section did). Using the info you have, I'd assume, as you do, that the bike is a pre '57. The Brooks saddle alone is worth more than you paid for the bike! Good deal.
09-11-05, 09:02 AM
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Originally Posted by Cyclops88
I picked up a 3-speed BSA bike in 21" step-thru frame for $13 (priced at $15) at a neighborhood garage sale for my father in-law this morning. ...Tires are 26" x 1 3/8" and have markings of 37-590 and 55lbs/in2 - 3.8 ATM (not sure wat the 3.8 ATM means) along with the word coaster. It looks in pretty good condition with a few minor rust spots on the fenders, but otherwise looks great.
ATM is "atmospheres" or BAR, the European measurement for air pressure (if not the rest of the non-English traditional measurement world). One ATM (BAR) = 14.69562 pounds/sq inch (P.S.I.)
09-11-05, 03:10 PM
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Sounds good! Any pics?
09-11-05, 04:49 PM
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Originally Posted by Mike_Like_Bike
Sounds good! Any pics?
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vintage/137614-good-find-garage-sale.html
Posted a couple of low quality pics there. Thanks for all your replies.
