Can you identify this motorcycle?

Sorry it's not the best photograph but can anyone identify the make and model please. I do know that the photograph was taken in 1959.

Edited By C T on 23/01/2022 19:05:33

BSA M20 is in with a chance : **LINK**

https://classic-motorbikes.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/10715.jpg

MichaelG.

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The BSA M20 was the closest match I could find but no not quite.

Unless there was slight changes during production period, the shape of the casing changed.

Looks like my father's pre war James 198cc twinport.

Andrew.

There were an awful lot of M20s made over nearly 20 years, in both military and civilian versions, so there was a fair bit of variation.

Is there a certificated Rivet-Counter on the forum ?

… We need your assistance:

MichaelG.

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There was also a M21 600cc version. Or could it be an Aerial. ?? really no idea .

I have looked at many images of the BSA M20 through its production run and am unable to find a match.

I thought I was looking at a sidevalve engine but now not sure if it's possibly a 2stroke. Again the James surgested can't find a match. The owner of the motorcycle in the photograph had quite a number of bikes over a number of years. I have found many photographs of him his wife with their transport, his wife also rode bikes. I have extracted 6 bikes so far from an outbuilding. The bike in the photograph is not one of them yet.

Looks a lot like a BSA C10, I had one once, horrible thing

My observations are it appears have a solid frame and girder forks so most probable pre war or at least pre 1950 I think, Had a short search and a BSA C10 c1939 seems a possibility, the timing cover looks similar and its a side valve engine [C10 was made for several years well into the 50's with tele forks] See a couple of links

https://www.feked.com/images/detailed/32/IMG_4849-1000.jpg

https://classic-motorbikes.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/9092.jpg

John

edit -- Ha! Duncan beat me to it 

Edited By JohnF on 23/01/2022 20:53:30

Another vote for sidevalve BSA C10.

Second thoughts the girder fork side links don't look like BSA.

Edited By Chris Evans 6 on 23/01/2022 20:59:40

Thank you for that yes a BSA C10 from around 1940 looks to fit the bill. Now as an addition I have found an owner's manual for the BSA "C" range of engines giving a little more credence to the C10.

Thanks again

The OP image does not show access to the valve chest so unlikely to be a C10. I am inclined more to the two stroke theory.

Robert Butler

Whatever it is, or isn't, it's what used to be described by "One Track", in Motorcycle Sport as "....grey porridge...."

cheers

Bill

Also no sign of an oil tank and most 4 strokes of that era are dry sump.

Robert Butler

Carb mounts at the top of the cylinder, so unlikely to be a two stroke.

No idea of the maker though.

Nigel B.

May be, but carb may not be bolted directly to cylinder, may be a manifold or downdraft mounting. The puzzle is there appears to be a timing chest or it could be a mag dyno drive?? The no oil tank is a pointer to 2 stroke. The Classic Motorcycle - Richard Rosenthal expert on old motorcycles.

Robert Butler