Beezer Victor

DogT

DogT

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I was at lunch today sitting outside and a Beezer came by and parked. I was waiting for him, but never saw him come in, so when I left I went out back and looked at it, BSA 441 Victor in pretty good shape. He finally came out and I talked to him and he was complaining about how hard it was to start and then he proceeded to kick it over from the side with his right leg, pushed it right through without any effort. I didn't say anything, I mean what can you say? I think he said it was a 67.

The front brake looked like a single shoe about 1" wide and probably worked less than dragging your feet, but it was a nice looking bike with the yellow/silver tank with the big BSA decal. I couldn't believe it when he drove by. You can just hear these Brit singles when they go by. Puta, puta.

Makes me want a new project.

Dave
69S
 
Go for it Dave, a 441 or B50, Lovely bikes.
Even the Triumph badged singles are cool. Once you work out the technique with the compression lifter
it's not hard.
Go for it.
Perhaps a 350 Model 50 or an ES2 in a featherbed frame or, a T500 for those dirt roads.
You know you want one.
 
Nothing wrong with Victors...

Beezer Victor


(my 68)
 
From what I've read so far, they didn't handle on the road too good, with the short wheel base, and the same old English bike issues, but I've been through that with the Norton. I just though it looked good, was smaller than the Norton and would be nice just to zip around without making long distance runs. I had a B33 hard tail back in the early 60's and it seemed larger than the Victor. There's one for sale at British Bikes for $5700, I think, and one in NY near Syracuse for less than $3, not running. That's still an overnight for me. I'll think about it, but I do like the looks of them. Trouble is the roof needs lots of work and that's going to be more expensive than the root canal. Looks like I may need to strip it and replace it, some bad installation from the original workers and some rotten spots.

Dave
69S
 
The Vicky is a hoot and a half off-road. If you are man enough, it's a fun cow-trail bike. You better have your upper body in great shape or you'll get arm-pumped in about 2-1/2 minutes.
 
I had one long ago and it was a lot of fun and not difficult to start if you cracked the compression release just right while kicking it over.....FWIW a prior owner had put a Japanese fork, 21" front wheel, and knobbies on it and it actually worked pretty well in the dirt
 
Matt Spencer said:
The name ' Jeff Smith ' was synominous with the 441 Victor .
Click to expand...

It's very sad that he is now synonymous with "AMA / AHRMA split".

That's what ego & obstinance will do.

...not to take one thing away from his abilities and accomplishments in racing; his fame was hard and well earned.
 
72westie said:
Here ya go. I am sure I can help with pick-up and delivery. :)
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Thanks, but I think my money is going to be all tied up in a new roof this fall. Otherwise I might go for it.

Dave
 
I have a 67 Shooting Star, basicly the same as a Victor but in street bike trim. I don't know who told you they don't handle good on the street, mine has low bars good street tires & it flyes. I love to hit the local canyons & feel that thumper do it's thing. And the hard to start thing is just like any old bike, it's all about having it tuned up and learning the routine. Mine is a fist kick start most of the time. It's one bike I will have till the day I die.
 
The Victor is a very pretty little machine and they were very well thought of in their day. I never rode one on the street but do have some time in the dirt on one of them that a cronie had and always enjoyed it. Starting a single is really just a matter of getting it into good condition and then learning the drill. Its not as hard as so many folks seem to think. If you can start your Commando, the Victor should be a piece of cake.

Vintage Paul
 
hudson29 said:
Starting a single is really just a matter of getting it into good condition and then learning the drill. Its not as hard as so many folks seem to think. If you can start your Commando, the Victor should be a piece of cake.
Click to expand...

YAHTZEE!
 
Like I say, I watched him start it, and I wasn't impressed with his routine. The oil tank sticks out on the right side and looks like it hits you in the upper thigh if you stand on it, but he stood off to the side and started it with his right leg. I've done that with my Commando, but I have to put my weight in it, this guy just kicked it like a soccer ball, except down.

The 500 B33 I had, I always had to use the compression release to get it over the top and then, like the Commando, both barrels. Unless it was on a hill which I frequently sought out and then it was just a drift down in 2nd or 3rd gear. Since the Army Language School was about the highest spot in Monterey, it wasn't much of a problem, I always kept it parked up at the highest parking lot where no one was anyhow.

Funny thing was, everyone wanted a ride up the hill to the barracks, and there was no rear seat. So they rode on the rear fender, hard tail and all and then complained at the top. Then they had to walk the next time, and it was about a mile up a pretty good hill. That was why I got the bike to start with, I didn't want to climb that hill every time I went into town.

This project is on hold until the roof gets sorted anyhow.

Dave
 
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