BSA Sloper: Difference between revisions
add ref - adjust |
which, together with its easy handling may have added to choice of of its name - |
||
| Line 9: | Line 9: | ||
|successor= |
|successor= |
||
|class=[[Types of motorcycles#Standard|Standard]] |
|class=[[Types of motorcycles#Standard|Standard]] |
||
|engine={{Convert|493|cc|abbr=on}} [[OHV]] |
|engine={{Convert|493|cc|abbr=on}} [[OHV]]<ref name=Ayton/> |
||
|top_speed={{Convert|70|-|75|mph|abbr=on}} (Super Sports version)<ref name=Holliday1974/> |
|top_speed={{Convert|70|-|75|mph|abbr=on}} (Super Sports version)<ref name=Ayton/><ref name=Holliday1974/> |
||
|frame=Duplex cradle |
|frame=Duplex cradle |
||
|brakes=Drum front & rear<br> Linked front-rear from rear pedal. |
|brakes=Drum front & rear<br> Linked front-rear from rear pedal. |
||
| Line 29: | Line 29: | ||
Launched in 1927, the 493cc overhead valve engine was slanted, and the motorcycle featured a saddle tank that enabled a low seating position, improving the centre of gravity and handling. Designated as the new S-series, whether this stood for sloper, speed or silence is unknown, but sloper became the term used by motorcyclists and hence adopted by BSA for marketing. The Sloper range remained much the same until its demise in 1935. Each model was designated with the two letters of the year produced, hence the S31 was produced in 1931.<ref name=Ayton/> |
Launched in 1927, the 493cc overhead valve engine was slanted, and the motorcycle featured a saddle tank that enabled a low seating position, improving the centre of gravity and handling. Designated as the new S-series, whether this stood for sloper, speed or silence is unknown, but sloper became the term used by motorcyclists and hence adopted by BSA for marketing. The Sloper range remained much the same until its demise in 1935. Each model was designated with the two letters of the year produced, hence the S31 was produced in 1931.<ref name=Ayton/> |
||
The first models featured a 493cc (80x98mm) single ported cylinder-head, topped by a cast-aluminium enclosure for the rockers, with exposed valve springs.<ref name=Ayton/> Alongside the cast barrel were plated tubes to cover the pushrods. Easy cam contours and wide bases on the tappets ensured no associated valve clack, meaning that the Sloper was regarded by many as one of the smoothest and quietest of sporting 500cc machines.<ref name=Ayton>{{cite book|title=Guide to Pre-War British Motorcycles|author=C.J. Ayton|publisher=Temple Press|ISBN=0600351408}}</ref> |
The first models featured a 493cc (80x98mm) single ported cylinder-head, topped by a cast-aluminium enclosure for the rockers, with exposed valve springs.<ref name=Ayton/> Alongside the cast barrel were plated tubes to cover the pushrods. Easy cam contours and wide bases on the tappets ensured no associated valve clack, meaning that the Sloper was regarded by many as one of the smoothest and quietest of sporting 500cc machines. The large crankcase accommodated both a large and heavy flywheel, and a separate oil feed tank controlled by a hand meter.<ref name=Ayton>{{cite book|title=Guide to Pre-War British Motorcycles|author=C.J. Ayton|publisher=Temple Press|ISBN=0600351408}}</ref> |
||
Early models had a duplex-frame and three-speed gearbox, but soon the top tube was replaced by an I-frame forging to support a new steering head. By the 1929/30 the engine carried a twin-port head, and the ohv joined by a less-popular side-valve model; these models also had extra chrome. From 1932 all were equipped by a 4-speed gearbox.<ref name=Ayton/> From 1930 there was an optional sporting kit for £10, including a high-compression piston, hardened valves and springs, and a racing sparkplug, but the company noted that there were few buyers.<ref name=Ayton/> The model ceased production in 1935, by which time there were only two models, an overhead-valve and a sidevalve, both of 595cc.<ref name=Holliday1974>{{Citation |title= Motorcycle panorama: a pictorial review of design and development |first= Bob |last= Holliday |publisher=Newton Abbot |year= 1974 |page=74 |isbn= 978-0-668-03647-4}}</ref> |
|||
The large heavy flywheel and easy cams gave the Sloper a slow purposeful tick over, which was supplemented by large fishtail silencers. With a purposeful rhythm, together with its easy handling, they may have added to choice of of its name. Cruising speed was {{convert|55|mph}}, with a top speed of around {{convert|75|mph}}.<ref name=Ayton/> |
|||
==References== |
==References== |
||
{{Reflist |
{{Reflist}} |
||
{{DEFAULTSORT:BSA Sloper}} |
{{DEFAULTSORT:BSA Sloper}} |
||
[[Category:BSA motorcycles|Sloper]] |
[[Category:BSA motorcycles|Sloper]] |
||
Revision as of 13:34, 25 May 2014
 | |
| Manufacturer | BSA |
|---|---|
| Production | 1927-1935 |
| Class | Standard |
| Engine | 493 cc (30.1 cu in) OHV[1] |
| Top speed | 70–75 mph (113–121 km/h) (Super Sports version)[1][2] |
| Frame type | Duplex cradle |
| Brakes | Drum front & rear Linked front-rear from rear pedal. |
The BSA S-Series of motorcycles, most commonly known as the BSA Sloper, were a series of motorcycles produced by the Birmingham Small Arms Company (BSA) from 1927-1935.
Launched in 1927, the 493cc overhead valve engine was slanted, and the motorcycle featured a saddle tank that enabled a low seating position, improving the centre of gravity and handling. Designated as the new S-series, whether this stood for sloper, speed or silence is unknown, but sloper became the term used by motorcyclists and hence adopted by BSA for marketing. The Sloper range remained much the same until its demise in 1935. Each model was designated with the two letters of the year produced, hence the S31 was produced in 1931.[1]
The first models featured a 493cc (80x98mm) single ported cylinder-head, topped by a cast-aluminium enclosure for the rockers, with exposed valve springs.[1] Alongside the cast barrel were plated tubes to cover the pushrods. Easy cam contours and wide bases on the tappets ensured no associated valve clack, meaning that the Sloper was regarded by many as one of the smoothest and quietest of sporting 500cc machines. The large crankcase accommodated both a large and heavy flywheel, and a separate oil feed tank controlled by a hand meter.[1]
Early models had a duplex-frame and three-speed gearbox, but soon the top tube was replaced by an I-frame forging to support a new steering head. By the 1929/30 the engine carried a twin-port head, and the ohv joined by a less-popular side-valve model; these models also had extra chrome. From 1932 all were equipped by a 4-speed gearbox.[1] From 1930 there was an optional sporting kit for £10, including a high-compression piston, hardened valves and springs, and a racing sparkplug, but the company noted that there were few buyers.[1] The model ceased production in 1935, by which time there were only two models, an overhead-valve and a sidevalve, both of 595cc.[2]
The large heavy flywheel and easy cams gave the Sloper a slow purposeful tick over, which was supplemented by large fishtail silencers. With a purposeful rhythm, together with its easy handling, they may have added to choice of of its name. Cruising speed was 55 miles per hour (89 km/h), with a top speed of around 75 miles per hour (121 km/h).[1]
References
 | This motorcycle, scooter or moped-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |