1953 BSA M20/Sidecar

417-532-8000

$14,900

Specifications

Highlights

For over 50 years, the Birmingham Small Arms Company, LTD was a major British industrial combine with manufacturing interests spanning a wide range of products for both civilians and the British military. With a history of bicycle production predating the company’s founding in 1919, it was logical that motorcycle manufacturing would be an area of expansion for the conglomerate to explore.

BSA, as the combine was generally referred to, and affiliated marques Triumph and Norton, were major players in the motorcycle industry until the early 1970’s when the company failed to address the rising popularity of Japanese and European brands among consumers in both England and North America. The final BSA motorcycle came out in the 1972 model year, with Norton and Triumph continuing thanks to a government-sponsored reorganization plan.

One of the more famous success stories from BSA came in the form of the BSA M20, a motorcycle that for almost 20 years was a transportation staple for the British military. Overcoming some very early problems that nearly doomed the project, from 1937 through 1955 the single cylinder motorcycle (often accompanied with a sidecar) was considered a success and saw duty in all branches of the country’s military.

The plant that produced these military motorcycles was apparently considered a prime target and a bombing raid in November 1940 resulted in over 50 fatalities and nearly 90 workers being injured. Despite the tragedy, BSA moved to production to another one of their many factories and continued to support the war effort.

The heavy-framed cycle was designed by Val Page and was created with the use of a sidecar in mind. While many came with the sidecar, there were also two wheeled models. Power came from a single-cylinder side valve four stroke engine displacing 496 cubic inches, transferred to the rear wheel through a four-speed transmission with chain drive. While relatively low compression, the powerplant delivered lots of low-end torque. The popularity of the military models prompted BSA to begin production of a civilian version, also often equipped with a sidecar, after the end of WWII.

This 1953 BSA with accompanying sidecar has been a part of the present owner’s portfolio since September 2009 and has been part of a static display during his ownership and stored in a humidity-controlled environment. While no attempt has been made to start this motorcycle, the engine appears to turn over freely.

Evergreen Digital Showroom offers this 1953 BSA with sidecar for a price of $14,900 USD. Pre-purchase inspection is welcomed and encouraged. We will gladly arrange transportation at buyer’s expense or work with the shipper of buyer’s choice. For additional information or to make an offer contact sales manager Steve Russell at 417-532-8000.

All information is provided to the best of our knowledge and that of the owner(s) of the vehicle. This vehicle is being sold as-is, where-is, with no warranty, expressed, written or implied. Evergreen Digital Showroom shall not be liable for the defects, errors or omissions in the description or authenticity of the vehicle. Any descriptions or representations are for identification purposes only and are not to be construed as a warranty of any type. No allowance or refunds will be made on account of any imperfection, defect or damage. It is the responsibility of the buyer to either inspect the vehicle personally or via a 3rd party, to ensure their satisfaction to the condition and value, prior to purchase. Evergreen Digital Showroom will make every reasonable effort to disclose all known defects with this vehicle. However, we do not disassemble vehicles or components for inspection purposes and therefore it is always possible that there is damage that is not readily apparent.