A few months ago I acquired a BSA A50 model year 1965 in somewhat civilian trim with most painted parts in black but a golden petrol tank and the usual bright parts chromium plated. From our dating officer I learnt however that she left the BSA factory along with 99 others in drab olive, heading for Burma. So does anyone here know more about those bikes? Are there any pictures in existance that show the actual finish or alterations to make them fit for military purposes? What were they actually used for? Their off-road capabilities seems somehow limited, does't it? So what's the good in having them in the armed forces? Or was it military at all? Maybe other authorities in Burma had a liking for drab olive too...
The only difference to the civilian versions I could spot so far is the missing lug for the sidestand, which you would normally expect to be brazed to the frame.
Cheers
Carsten
:) :) :)
I would guess that the main use would have been traffic/convoy control. RAF had some A65's. Army had a few Commandos. Etc.
Mike 8) 8) 8)
The only "olive drab" finish code I can find in the parts bulletins is listed in bulletin G55 of January 1969 as " /139 Olive drab (Burma Army)"
Hi
I have a 1964 A50 that was also sent to Burma. It is now red and full rebuilt.
Didn't realise it was 1 of only 99 sent.