The Clive Wood MBE Collection, 1913 BSA 3½hp

•Rare 'Edwardian' BSA
•An older restoration
•Pioneer Certificate
•Original engine included in sale

Originally established in 1861 as an armaments manufacturer, The Birmingham Small Arms Company switched to making components for the bicycle industry in 1878 following a Government-induced downturn in the arms market. BSA first experimented with powered two-wheelers in 1905 using a standard-type bicycle. This first motorcycle made by BSA used a proprietary engine - probably the Belgian Minerva - clipped to the front down-tube, but it was not until 1910 that the firm introduced a model entirely of its own design and manufacture. This was produced, not at the famous Small Heath works in Birmingham, but at the old Eadie Manufacturing Company factory in Redditch. The acquisition of Eadie in 1908 had brought with it considerable experience in the manufacture of bicycle hub brakes as well as the services of Albert Eadie, who, together with ex-James Cycle Company works manager, Charles Hyde and engine designer, F E Baker, would be responsible for establishing BSA as a motorcycle manufacturer.

Displayed at the 1910 Olympia Show, the first series-production motorcycle to feature the marque's distinctive green and cream tank colours was a 499cc (3½hp) sidevalve single, built initially with single-speed, belt-drive transmission and later on with a three-speed countershaft gearbox. Well engineered and equally well made, this first BSA proved an enormous success and changed little over the next few years, though for 1912 a two-speed hub gear was available alongside an all-chain-drive model suitable for sidecar work.

This delightful 'Edwardian' 3½hp BSA comes with a green continuation logbook (issued in 1973) listing three owners, the last of whom – Walter John Underhill – acquired the machine in December 1974. 'AD 6895' also comes with a Sunbeam MCC Pioneer Certificate issued to Mr Underhill in February 1977 and recording the engine number as '4549/13', that being the number of the spare engine included in the sale. Also on file is an old-style V5 in the name of John Henry Andrew of Lincolnshire, listing the previous keeper as Ronald Claude Williams of Bristol. Last taxed to the end of March 2001, the BSA is an older restoration offered for recommissioning or possibly more extensive renovation (the engine turns over). A photocopied spare parts list is included in the sale.