What is this?

ok guys, here’s one for y’all...

What is the engine in this?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ariel-bs...997236?hash=item1cb728ee34:g:nXwAAOSwttlbgb3~

BSA V-twin?

Eddie,
That is a bastard. I've never seen one before but truly a genius built that one (if it indeed runs). The cases and timing cover look to be off a 80's type H-D Sportster. I base this on the points cover, generator housing, casting of the cases and flywheel timing inspection plug. The transmission has been amputated from the engine. The top end is really a stumper with the twin Amals and exhaust on the right hand side of the stubby flat heads. I'm going to have to say the wizard who built this conjured up some jugs and heads from an even earlier model Harley Davidson. I'm wanting to say K-model but I'm not really sure. Making two Amals fit two intake ports on the right was probably easier than going to the plumbing store to buy enough fittings to mount one Linkert carburetor sticking out the left.
The transmission and muffler are British as you know. The broken clutch lever looks British and the broken front brake lever looks Japanese. I have some exactly like those in my garage. The right handlebar controls look Japanese too. The wheels are confusing. They look like Honda Silverwing Interstate, but not quite. The front single disk only has a single piston caliper. I think Honda had two piston calipers. The bike is also a chain drive and the Honda was a shaft drive.
What do we win if we guess correctly.
Charlie

Yes, I was thinking some kind of chopped Sportster bottom end after looking at it closer. Not sure about the barrels, but like you say, possibly some kind of early HD tackle. I had the heads down as being home made.

Indeed, someone put a lot of effort and skill into this, which is truly impressive. I just can’t figure out why... !?

cehenard said:

Eddie,
That is a bastard. I've never seen one before but truly a genius built that one (if it indeed runs). The cases and timing The wheels are confusing. They look like Honda Silverwing Interstate, but not quite. The front single disk only has a single piston caliper. I think Honda had two piston calipers. The bike is also a chain drive and the Honda was a shaft drive.
What do we win if we guess correctly. Charlie

Click to expand...

The wheels look like early 250 Superdream Cosmars but should be 19 inch front. The single caliper appear to be the early type. I bow to your superior knowledge on the H /D.- it looks like a junkyard special!