LOT 304

The Anthony R. East Classic Motorcycle Collection 1955 BSA 499cc B33 Registration no. not registered Frame no. CB31.3114 (see text) Engine no. BB33.6530

Sold for £4,140 inc. premiumLot to be sold without reserve

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Lot 304

The Anthony R. East Classic Motorcycle Collection, 1955 BSA 499cc B33

The Autumn Stafford Sale – The Classic Motorcycle Mechanics Show|14 October 2023, 10:30 BST|Stafford, Staffordshire County Showground

The Anthony R. East Classic Motorcycle Collection
1955 BSA 499cc B33
Registration no. not registered
Frame no. CB31.3114 (see text)
Engine no. BB33.6530

A development of the 350cc B31, the 500cc B33 was manufactured from 1947 to 1960. BSA's rugged, workaday B31 was a new introduction for 1945, its overhead-valve engine providing the basis for the renowned Gold Star sports roadster. At the time of its introduction, the B31 was BSA's sole all-new model, joining the lightweight 'C' and heavyweight 'M' ranges carried over from pre-war days. Produced initially with rigid frame and telescopic forks, the B31 was available from 1949 with optional plunger rear suspension and switched to a swinging-arm frame, along with the rest of the range, in 1954. The B33 engine closely followed B31 lines but with larger (85mm) bore and heavier flywheels, while cycle parts were identical apart from a larger-section rear tyre. A good, solid, all-round performer by the standards of its day, the B33 could top 80mph, cruise comfortably all day at 70mph and return in excess of 70mpg.

This BSA B33 was acquired by Tony East in February 1995. The machine comes with numerous invoices including those relating to its restoration by Bryan Small Motorcycles circa 1995 at a cost of £5,509. The BSA was last taxed in July 2006 and currently displays a total of 1,776 miles on the odometer. Additional paperwork consists of six MoTs (most recent expired 2006) and an original BSA spares catalogue and service sheet. It should be noted that the frame number appears to have ben restamped. There are no registration documents with this Lot.

Footnotes

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