Closing date June issue -> April 21
BSA B33 – Market forces
That concept has brought our country more harm than good. But don't political upheavals do all the same? Our market forces also dictate supply, demand, and prices. You can see that these days with classics like the BSA B33.
The BSA B33 and the knees
The knees of the departing generation of owners. Because to own a British 500cc single-cylinder To start, you need pedal power. And the big single-cylinder bikes – and many other beautiful ones – were cherished within a small circle for years. They grew older along with their owners. But while the condition of the big BSAs and their ilk improved, the wear and tear on their owners' backs and knees began a creeping advance. Peter Koelewijn already sang it: "You're getting older, daddy."
Everything has its limits
And at some point, a British rammer just won't start anymore. That realization usually takes a few years to sink in, but then someone sometimes decides it's better to end a long, loving relationship. That's why big British single-cylinder motorcycles are regularly available again. And of course, these aren't just BSA motorcycles, but also those from other once-renowned brands. And that's lucky for those whose knees have even passed their MOT. Just as we enthusiasts are lucky that the selection of big single-cylinder motorcycles is now actually quite large. Instead of "searching for," it's now "choosing from." From brands and types.
500 cc is quite a lot
De BSA B33 is an enlarged version of the 350cc B31 and with a bore x stroke of 85 × 88 mm an almost "square" engine design. The B33 was as fast in third gear as the B31 in fourth gear, and the top speed of the half-liter bike was about 130 km / h.
With its separate gearbox behind the engine block, this BSA was also an example of classic motorcycle construction. And 500 cc At the time, it had a very impressive engine displacement. The BSA is a large, almost stately motorcycle. A serious touring machine or sidecar tractor. A motorcycle for serious people like veterinarians and craftsmen.
There are many BSA B-models made. Many have been cherished, preserved and restored. And it is still very possible to do a BSA B33 to drive and maintain. There are a few specialized suppliers – even in the Netherlands – who can literally supply all the parts, either new or with experience. And all at the most competitive prices.
British single-cylinder engines are, of course, seriously dated. And such a good-natured thumper doesn't exactly enjoy long journeys on motorways. In his day, motorways didn't even exist in England. But today, such a 350 or 500cc single cylinder the ideal partner to dance lazily with on the most beautiful secondary roads.
Add to that the fact that such a one-cylinder engine is technically simple and requires no wrenches. Then all that's left is a set of 'English' tools with inch sizes necessary to enjoy the sonorous rumble of such an impressive single-cylinder for a long time to come. As long as your knees allow it. And in terms of comfort, you can also rack up some serious mileage on such a day. "A shortcut to the Zeeland coast or the low side of the Ardennes? That's a lot 350 kilometres driving. And it's a wonderful ride."
And if the knees no longer want? Then there are - of course in England - providers of easily assembled sets to start the business electrically.
In my younger years I rode a 1954 AJS 18 S for a long time and now (too little) on a 1931 Gillet Sport 350 cc. My son and I never miss the Elfstedentocht.
My starting procedure is as follows: a little float, set the ignition to "late", but above all find the top dead center with the kickstarter, use the valve lifter to move the piston just past the highest position, which leaves you a good 3 strokes of the 4-stroke engine to then give the kickstarter a good flick.
Even after winter storage, it starts on the first try (or almost). It takes a bit of knee-strength, but there's no turning back.
Starting old motorcycles is often a matter of feeling and, above all, technique: not every motorcycle has the same starting procedure, even if they rolled off the assembly line one after the other when new...
If you don't have the manually adjustable ignition set correctly, a stick starter operated too gently can kick back viciously...resulting in sore body parts.
And then low or high compression actually makes little difference.
I saw my neighbor, who was going to "demonstrate how to do it," shoot off over the handlebars when the engine indicated it was not running properly with a cloud of smoke and a bang from the carburetor.
The sour-looking man, rubbing a sore leg (and a loudly laughing neighbor) slunk off into the adjacent garden…
Rarely have I had to bite my lip so hard to keep a straight face and grant the man in question his departure.
Beautiful bike, but already worn out, judging by the color of the pipe...
The Triumph It's quite a sight. These are bikes with a near-legendary status, even though, strangely enough, they wouldn't handle long highway rides very well. Is that some kind of English pride? Or what is it? The engine displacement suggests these bikes are tough on the human starting leg. Or was it "suffering"? Either way, I think the model is absolutely gorgeous. A bike with character is certainly something to be proud of. As long as it holds up well and is treated properly, there's not much to worry about. I hope to encounter one in the wild someday!
My friend used to have one like that too
Unwilling bsa b33 starter, he
had a very sensitive foot
kept it, sometimes he kicked the b33 on the first time
usually not and then had a private
conversation with someone while he
looked up when I came to see him after the winter break,
he that he had worked out an idea
and that he has already done so several times
his benevolent b33 had started
he had made a cylinder head gasket himself
of red copper and had the,e mounted and had around the
space between the head and cylinder
measured and precisely all around
kept the same, come along
and I went along with him feeling
that the engine was cold tap
of the vital fluid open and the engine against the compression
and with a BIG KICK there
the B33 bomber ran
I wished him luck and am
on my Triumph Bonneville driven away, I still see my friend often
met laughing, or the
where was what he said Achhhh
what does it matter could very well be
I'm driving a now Triumph Adventurer
900 cc three cylinder, and I often think back to Frits, he moved to
faraway 🫡