BSA B "Round tank"
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Make Model | BSA B |
Year | 1927 |
Engine | Side valve, single cylinder |
Capacity | 249 cc / 15.2 cub in |
Bore and Stroke | 63 x 80 mm |
Exhaust | Single, stainless steel |
Ignition | Magneto |
Battery | 6V |
Starting | Slip on kick starter |
Max Power | 1.83 kW / 2.49 hp |
Transmission | 2-Speed |
Final Drive | Chain |
Seat height | Upwards adjustable from 711 mm / 28 in. lowest setting |
Front Suspension | Single spring girder fork |
Rear Suspension | None, spring loaded saddle |
Front Tyre | 2.25 x 24 |
Rear Tyre | 2.25 x 24 |
Front Brakes | None |
Rear Brakes | Hand lever and foot pedal woking independently on rear wheel dummy rim |
Weight | 77 kg / 170 lbs |
Average fuel consumption | 2.35 L/100 km / 42.5 km/l / 100 US mpg |
Top speed | 72 km/h / 45 mph |
Colour | Green tank/black frame |
BSA was justly proud and underlined their pride with a bold fuel tank finish. In keeping with period trends the tank served both fuel and oil needs, but its cylindrical shape bucked then current trends, looking as though it ought to grace a lawnmower.
Instead of hiding it, BSA painted the tank bright green and emblazoned it with panels, lines and logos. And it is the tank which gave Model B its hindsight name.
As many British moped and two-stroke riders from the 1950s and 1960s know, riding a small low-powered machine makes you the lowest of the low in the eyes of some. No different in the 1920s and along with the sarcastic comments Model B riders copped for a few including famously mower tank, marrow tank, cucumber tank and round tank. Round tank stuck, BSA successfully banked this inverse praise and Round Tank owners are justly proud today.