Engine number

[bikerbob]

I have been looking online at a possible restoration project it is a 1971 BSA B25SS, the query I have is the engine number does not look like BSA engine numbers that I am used to. The number stamped on the crankcase is AE 04350 B25SS this is also the frame number. I would have thought that the number should have started with B25SS then the number. The bike is an import but does have a nova certificate and an American title. Wondering if export models were given different numbers to uk models.

[Ian C]

The engine and frame numbers could be stamped in any format depending on which day of the week it was!! The bike you have refered to is an early production bike with the frame number stamped on the sidestand bracket. BSA moved the placement to the headstock on later bikes due to the said brackets shearing off.. plus the frame on this bike doesn't have the later addition of the strengthening plates where the lower frame tubes meet just rear of the engine although I believe that it was mainly the B50's where cracks occured at these points. The lower silencer mounting tab is also fractured which again was beefed up on later bikes.

[bikerbob]

Thanks for the info so the numbers are genuine. I am looking for something to work over the winter, I had to sell my A7 and A65 because getting to old to move them around so looking for something in the 250cc range to play with.

[ducati2242]

 B25ss Frame numbers ive seen are in the same place as my B44 which is on the left side of the top engine mount . The do start with B25ss as does my B44ss .

[Ian C]

B25ss Frame numbers ive seen are in the same place as my B44 which is on the left side of the top engine mount . The do start with B25ss as does my B44ss .

This bike is an OIF one, so numbers are either placed as I wrote previously.