Description
BSA ca. 1935 J 35-12 498 cc ohv V-twin frame # E 15295 engine # D 15136
At the 1933 Olympia show BSA displayed a 14-model range; more than 60 machines were showed an one of the newcomers was a handsome 498 cc (63×80 mm) OHV v-twin, the model J 34-11. The machine was actually not a complete newcomer: it was based on a design specially prepared for the War Office a year or so earlier.
After extensive tests the military authorities were satisfied with its performance and between 1933 and 1936 some 700 machines were ordered by the Army, War Office and RAF: the model J was for some years the standard British Army motorcycle.
At Olympia it created great interest with the public because of its good looks and OHV twin engine, which engine type was new in the BSA range.
At 70 pounds the model J was 20% more expensive than a comparable single cylinder OHV and it was but slightly more powerful.
Consequently, not too many of these interesting machines were sold to the general public in their 3-year production run and today they are pretty rare birds.
The E15 frame number prefix and the 3-speed gearbox indicate that this model J started life as an army contract machine.
It has been restored meticulously with great attention to detail and is an excellent runner.