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The BSA Catalina is in the Street Bikes for sale section.

The coolest museum you will ever go to is down the street from me. They had a Norton Flat tracker in there the last time I visited.

http://www.vft.org/


They just finished their expansion. There is a nice open house every May. The amount of old programs, posters, pins, etc. is really impressive. They put on a big outdoor barbecue as part of the open house. The place is my favorite charity.

I have several BSA singles, A B44 Shooting Star, thats the road version, I've had it a long time and have riden it over 40,000 miles, at around 12,000 miles it developed a noisy bottom end. I replaced the crankpin, race and rollers with B 50 parts, new rings, exhaust valve and guide, and have ridden it mostly trouble free for many years.

It's not a freeway burner but it will run at 60mph longer than I can sit on it. Parts are available to keep them running. I have a Gold Star Clubman as well, nice running Gold Stars are big bucks these days and require a bit more maintainace if you plan to ride it. B44's can be had for reasonable money and if cared for will run for a long time.

Ken G.

Ken G. Thanks for the information.

Bob in Fresno

The B25 has a shell bearing bottom end and is the weakest, B44 has a 24 roller bigend and can give problems but I have never had an issue, the B50 has a needle roller big end and has more of a reputation for con-rod breakage than big-end. The B50 needle roller big end fits the B44 with small modification as the con-rod is common, as are the tapers in the flywheels, mod is to machine the flywheel holes on the inside to give clearance for the wider bearing. In the UK the B50 and B44 are used in pre-65 and twinshock scambles and any road bike runs the risk of being bought for competion so prices have increased rapidly in the last few years. Either way they get used but the days of B44's being cheap is long gone in the UK.

British single...? Well i consider the Vellocette Vemon one of the finest bikes made..querky clutch [when not under stood] Had one in 69,had four in 82...still have one in 2009. When assembled right ..pure joy...and going up like theres no tomorro...Ebay ..64 .mint clubman...£13400!..but sensible money...£7500. better than any Gold Bar ...better get me fallout gear on!!

No question the Velo is a sweetie. The prices i've seen have been pretty high though.

Bobs850 wrote:I am looking for something to ride on the back roads. Most of the riding would be 50 to 55 mph. I have never owned a single and always wanted one. Anybody good a good reference on a reasonable affordable single from the 50s or 60s?

Thanks,

Bob in Fresno

Hi Bob,

If you want the old Brit single experience...Norton ES2 or Model 50 (350cc), AJS/Matchless 500 (G80), BSA B31/33 (350/500), Velocette MAC. BSA and Triumph singles from the 60s and early 70s are a different experience. The older ones are much lower performance. They slog along, but require time to get to speed. Once there they hold speed nicely. I have owned '57 Norton Model 50 and '61 Norton ES2. They aren't really to my liking. Also owned a Rickman 441 put on the street....did like that one!

A Rickman chromoly framed 441 setup for the street would be a real treat! Ultra-Spartan.

Hello

I have a DBD34 Gold Star in Norton Featherbed frame and it is the most fun around the lanes where I live in Hampshire UK.
A Catalina would be wonderful.
As a past BSA B50MX owner I would say the starting put me off as it was even harder than the Goldie.
I trialled a Cummerfords Cub (Triumph )for years and exept for really steep hill trial sections( I am 255lbs) found it a joy to live with, with the right gearing would make a nice back lane scratcher.
Or have you thought of the 350 / 500 AMC singles? I trialled an AJS mod18s in trialls trim,awsome.

Be it a Cub or Goldie if you love it and it puts a smile on your face its the right bike.


NORBSA DBD34
TRIBSA 6T
MK3 COMMANDO
BSA RGS REPLICA
CCM 350T
MATCHLESS G12
HONDA TL125
BROCKHOUSE CORGI
ITALJET PACK 2
HONDA CBR1100RR

Rocker 1 - I can imagine you getting off your Honda CBR and then jumping onto an old Tiger Cub. Quite the contrast.

Mid America Auction has quite a few vintage bikes up for auction in Las Vegas starting January 7, 2010. I am a registered phone bidder. If I see an old single that catches my eye, I will send in a bid. Quite a few BSA Victor models should go across the block.

Bob

The Matchless heavyweight 350s are ideal for what you want to do . I have 2 - a 1951 G3/L rigid and a 1961 G3 made for the Dutch Army. There are quite a few of these Dutch Army 350s around. Domi-Racer was selling them for $600 each at one time. My favorite is the '51 though. Excellent handling and there is enough flex in the rigiid frame so it is very comfortable. The large springy Lycett seat also helps a lot. They also made "lightweight" 350s and 250s - do not get one of these.

I had a '61 Triumph cub and a later '71 TR-25W which was really a BSA. Both sucked, especially the TR-25W. I had to push them home more often than having them arrive actually running. Sold the TR-25W to a friend I worked with. Had to pick him up frequently when it died on his way to work - only about an 8 mile ride for him. Was a real strain on the friendship. I wouldn't wish one on my worst enemy. It looked nice but that's about all I can say good about it. Kinda poisoned me on BSA singles in general.


Russ

I have a 1968 BSA 441 Shooting Star that I love. Had one 30 years ago & when I saw this one With only 2,800 miles I grabed it. I've had a few other older singles like a 1955 AJS I found in a ladies back yard & bought for $100.00 that I think are prettier but the 441 is nice, easy to maintain & once you have it dialed in and learn the secret handshake mojo it starts easy. Mine had the aftermarket 49 tooth rear sprocket common for back them & it combined with the 19 tooth front gave great acceleration but I put the stock 47 back on for better top end. I also have the bigger TLS front brake and it is very good for what it is. Not sure about the smaller ones but I would think if you want a back road carving bike & ride hard at all you want the TLS front brake with the vent. Mine saved me just last night when a pick up & a BIG flat bed tow truck decided to make a 20 point illegal U turn on one of my fav local two lane canyon roads. My friend on a newer Ducoti didn't stop any faster. (he could have, didn't need to). I lust after bikes like the Norton Manx, AJS 7R, Velo Vemon and Matchless G80's so MAYBE some day I'll spring for a 50's or 60's Clubman Goldstar but they say people in Hell want ice water too. (there is a guy in England who makes a electric start conversion that's very nice) but for now the little puppy 441 is great & so much fun. PS. Don't be discouraged by the high $ bikes. Look around & you can find nice complete ones for less than $3,000. A friend just sold a real nice one for $2,800. But I have seen Victor models go for HUGE $ at auction. I think one sold at Lost Vegas last year for $12,000 +!!!!! Super clean museum bike but still don't know why so much.

Hi Bob,

I bought and rebuilt (complete frame-off) a 441 Victor three years ago. These bikes are drop-dead gorgeous,with their alloy tank, and great fun as long as you keep the speed below 55 mph or so. The Victor was an export bike (to the US), and there are usually several that appear for sale nationally within a 6-month window. Their reputation as a stubborn starter can be overcome with a Pazon ignition, rebuilt carb, new coil, and a bit of technique with the compression release. I had no problem finding new parts during my rebuild; there are still some NOS parts around, even the add-on tach. New Dunlops are still available.





The buckhorn bars and the seat are not original, as you can guess, but make the bike an easier ride for me.

Rick,

That looks like it would make a lovely short range bike. I really enjoy the narrowness of those old singles.