BSA help needed for a C11

I found a new project to work on... it is supposed to be a 1948 BSA C11. I purchased a Norton from the same person last year, so I have no problems dealing with him.

The motor number is XC11 T 7899; the frame number is XC10 T 21300.

I know the C11 used a C10 motor fitted with an OHV cylinder head. I also know it is a 250 single. Just about all of the parts are there, minus a few little items. It would need a complete rebuild/restoration, which I enjoy doing.

It there a website or book to provide more info based upon these numbers? Also, is it possible to use a later date gearbox as the early ones are supposedly weak and unreliable?

THANKS!

Not only are the gearboxes weak (3-speeds) but parts are almost unobtainable. My first bike was a C-11. After breaking a shift fork, the broken end had to be welded and ground since there were no parts available in 1969 much less now.

Racing64 said:

The motor number is XC11 T 7899; the frame number is XC10 T 21300.

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I think those numbers could actually be from 1946/47 (XC), rather than '48 (YC)?

http://bsac10c11c12.co.uk/mambo/index.p ... &Itemid=42

For parts, try C & D Autos (UK), The BSA Owners Club (UK), or the C10/C11/12 website (see link above) where you may get more information?

I found the BSA owners club, and noted the numbers match not only a 46, but also a 47 as well per your reply. I was under the impression that BSA stopped building bikes during WW II like most manufacturers. Rumor is many parts were still available, and they started building bikes again after the war with the previously built items. Maybe this explains why I was told it was a 1948 model.... it was put together in 1948 with 46/47 parts?

Thanks for the info; I will keep lookin for more.

Racing64 said:

I was under the impression that BSA stopped building bikes during WW II like most manufacturers.

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In fact, BSA (and also Triumph, Norton, Royal Enfield, etc.) manufactured many thousands of military motorcycles during WWII period between 1939-45. http://members.quicknet.nl/ahum/

Racing64 said:

Rumor is many parts were still available, and they started building bikes again after the war with the previously built items. Maybe this explains why I was told it was a 1948 model.... it was put together in 1948 with 46/47 parts?

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I must admit, I don't quite understand what you mean, as of course the war in Europe was just about over by early 1945, consequently, government contracts quickly dried up, so by the time it was all over, motorcycle manufacturers such as BSA, Triumph, Norton etc. were already busy getting ready to resume civilian motorcycle production, and "civvy" motorcycles (mostly for export) soon started rolling off the production lines after the end of hostilities-so I doubt many (if any?) pre-war parts remained unused for very long-due to the extereme shortage of raw materials in the UK at that time.

I believe Steve Snoen restored one and rode it across Canada!
See Steve's website www.850norton.com for the BSA story and others. He's one dedicated long distance rider who really puts the his Interstate to good use.

Mick

ML said:

I believe Steve Snoen restored one and rode it across Canada!
See Steve's website http://www.850norton.com for the BSA story and others. He's one dedicated long distance rider who really puts the his Interstate to good use.

Mick

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Linky no worky

Yup got the interweb thing wrong - Steves website is www.norton850.com

Mick

Thanks for the info and help. I did purchase the bike, and it is now my #1 project.

I now have the task of locating a generator (either the E3H or E3HM) if I remember correctly. It doesn't seem like there are any here in the US; most of the contacts I've made have never heard of it. :? Of course I am reading into the switch from 6V to 12V. I would prefer to stay original... I am going to review previous posts on this, plus have found some good links with the original BSA service bulletins (#804 and 809).

Thanks again for the help! I was wrong on my history, got too deep into it I guess...

If anyone has any suggestions on locating the "correct generator" I would appreciate it.

You could try:

http://www.bsaownersclub.co.uk/
http://bsac10c11c12.co.uk/
http://www.canddautos.co.uk/
http://draganfly.co.uk/
http://www.tms-motorcycles.co.uk/