I don't understand what my bike is

[Pleba]

Good morning, my name is Giacomo Plebani, I'm new to the forum. I'm writing this post about a BSA that my boss brought me for a restoration, the problem is that I don't know it , looking a bit on my own I didn't find anything similar, I was wondering if by sending some photos there was someone who could help me, if you then explain a couple of curiosities of the bike, even the most banal ones are welcome . thank you very much from Italy

[militaryron]

It looks very much like a 1929 B29 to me? Ron

[JABBA99]

Maybe more like the S30-18 due to shape of mag drive chest?  Looks like it's had some sort of rear suspension and a foot change added???
If you have the engine and/or frame number, that would help identify it. Jeff

[Pleba]

Thanks Ron and Jeff for the answers , I also had trouble identifying it for the gearbox and rear suspension. All the models I saw are rigid .
I took some more photos maybe they can help you.
Giacomo

[militaryron]

The numbers on the front of the crankcase are just to confirm matching halves of the case. Is there something stamped on the left side below the barrel?  Ron

[Pleba]

Sorry Ron, my bad I hadn't seen it , I'll send it. can you tell me something more about the lubrication? then the left knob seems to regulate the ignition advance, for what?
Thank you
Giacomo

[JABBA99]

The "F" series engines relate to 1925/26 3.49hp model, and should have a "flat tank" frame (see catalogue image).  It looks like your frame, with suspension, is a non-BSA frame. Engine F8862 is from March 1925 and was a "sports" model ... difficult to decipher who it went to (see image - line below Shimwell) ... it might say "Italy" (or something else - your guess is as good as mine)? Jeff

[Steve.S]

What a strange motorcycle. It seems to be a Bitsa.
I do not recognise the gearbox at all, but I'm sure someone does.
I'm sure JABBA is correct in identifying the engine.
If it's a vintage BSA frame, the frame number may be under the saddle on the left side, but have a close look all over to see if you can find a frame number.
Someone has fitted covers to the valve springs.
I see it has a duplex primary chain, so the clutch is much later.
I wonder if you can spot any welding on the frame on the top and bottom mountings for the plungers, which look very aftermarket to me.
The bottom of the headstock looks like a thin steel cover, and the knurled ring is odd.
I'm sure the rear brake drum and backplate are not BSA.
Oil would be fed by gravity to the Pilgrim oil pump, which would drip feed oil into the crankcase, and be splashed about all over the place by the flywheels. Don't forget to turn the oil tap on before you start it.
In the'30's BSA used a left hand twistgrip for the ignition advance, but someone has fitted a later drum twistgrip.
It seems someone has welded a hump onto the petrol tank, and fitted a cajones protector to the back of the tank.
Does it run?

[Pleba]

Good morning everyone,
first of all thanks for the clarifications.
sorry for the delay but I couldn't answer before .
I looked for the frame number everywhere but I didn't find anything, as soon as I have time I'll try to brush it. in your opinion is it a bike modified over the years? so it's not worth fixing it? it would be nice to know the history of this part, even the carburetor seems strange to me, has the bsa ever mounted dell'orto? yes anyway after cleaning the carburetor it started, it burns a lot of oil but it works, I also managed to take a ride, let's say that next time I'll put the chain guard on I found oil in parts that I didn't even know about
Giacomo

[Rog1]

Good morning everyone,
first of all thanks for the clarifications.
sorry for the delay but I couldn't answer before .
I looked for the frame number everywhere but I didn't find anything, as soon as I have time I'll try to brush it. in your opinion is it a bike modified over the years? so it's not worth fixing it? it would be nice to know the history of this part, even the carburetor seems strange to me, has the bsa ever mounted dell'orto? yes anyway after cleaning the carburetor it started, it burns a lot of oil but it works, I also managed to take a ride, let's say that next time I'll put the chain guard on I found oil in parts that I didn't even know about
Giacomo

It does seem to be a bike modified over the years, but that doesn't mean it isn't worth fixing; it means that it is a bike with a most unusual history, a history that is well worth preserving; dents, scrapes, unmatched paintwork and all.

If you can identify the various parts used, you will be able to establish roughly when the alterations were made. The bike may have been like this for many years.