Please help confirm where decals go on a 1935 B35-2

[Macneill]

I've been looking at dozens of photos of 1935 B-2 bikes and see a lot of variation. I hope a member has one in original paint who can advise on decal placement.
My questions are
1) was there a Small Arms decal on the rear number plate, directly below the light ? (see photo example)
2) was there a Small Arms decal on the door of the tool box? ( below the saddle )
3) was there a 2.49 H.P. decal, either above/below the small arms decal on the number plate...and/or placed on the tool box door ?
I hope to find out more about "correct" decal placement before I finish the paintwork.
Thanks for the help.
Grant in Canada

[JABBA99]

Here's the catalogue picture for 1935 - no decals on toolbox - but doesn't show rear number plate.  Your bike is on Bonhams website as "unrestored" and you can just see a piled arms decal on rear number plate below light (don't know which style suits 1935) ....
https://cars.bonhams.com/auction/19768/lot/281/1934-bsa-249cc-model-b342-sports-frame-no-3859-engine-no-1896/

[Macneill]

Thanks,  yes, I've seen that photo too, indications are that I am on the right track with the piled arms decal on the rear number plate.  Somewhere I've also seen the 2.49 H.P. decal just above or below that but I can't locate that now.   

I am starting to feel that the examples where I've seen the decal on the tool box where examples of "creative license" rather than true original replication.

I've found that many of the artists' rendering of models in factory catalogues don't entire agree with the final, out the door appearance of a particular model so I'm still searching for photo examples.

Thanks,  Grant

[limeyrob]

"Artists rendering" from those times often contain a significant amount of "enhancement". Things that they think will appeal to buyers tend to get enlarged. The car industry was notorious, remember Austin Morris used 80% size mannequins for the artistes renders.
I've seen artists / company pictures that clearly show options or features that never made it onto the production models.

[Macneill]

Ah ha!  So yer saying that size DOES matter eh. 

[Steve.S]

This is a difficult one.
I'm certain BSA never fitted a transfer to the rear number pate.
The following is probably of no help to you, but the 1933 Sales Catalogue shows the B2 with a transfer on the toolbox.
The 1934 and 1935 catalogues show no toolbox transfer, but as has been said, catalogues can be unreliable.
A B2 road test in a 1934 edition of 'Motor Cycling' shows a photograph with no toolbox transfer.
There is no mention of transfers in the Parts Books for these models.
I wouldn't be surprised if fitting a transfer to the toolbox was ad hoc, although it does seem a good place for one.
The only certainty is that garter transfers were fitted to the petrol tank and the headstock.
Remember that the transfers for your machine would have 'BSA Cycles' and not 'BSA Motorcycles' which were later.
I have a feeling that '2.49 HP' transfers are just an embellishment made by current transfer suppliers.
I too like things to be correct, but at the end of the day, if I can get the damn thing to start, that's all that matters.

[Macneill]

Hello All,  thanks for the advice on decals.  Paint work for my B35-2 is done and I'm very pleased.
sorry for the huge link...could only manage to post a photo using my facebook post.

The Rubberman, Jeff Hunter supplied the knee grips...exactly as needed.  Thanks for the tips.

Grant in Guelph,  Canada   

https://scontent-yyz1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/770669531_122126079104773787_5854686913818207227_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_tt6&cstp=mx2048x1536&ctp=s2048x1536&_nc_cat=107&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=127cfc&_nc_ohc=Aq9xyoTCyzoQ7kNvwHOM6WC&_nc_oc=AdqdILBnU1SCn6zZOqtqCr7LTLwKhxeyCpdJRLQgeOSKRrsAUMtS3-EFNFAK7EGJc70&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-yyz1-1.xx&_nc_gid=X2rqJ6EYidtqJ0EXfeeLUQ&_nc_ss=7b2a8&oh=00_AQGg_vBlc0t1KC2j-bgliLJIqNDojn_4_S2o48OqjOIHOA&oe=6A92C85B