146 pages, 95 black & white illustrations, size 5.5 x 8.5 inches. Originally published under the title The Book of the BSA, by ‘Waysider’ (F.J. Camm) this book is one of The Motorcyclist’s Library series published in the USA by Floyd Clymer by arrangement with the original publishers, Pitman Ltd. of London, England.
This reprint of the 4th edition (1930) includes complete technical data, and detailed instructions for the service, repair and overhaul of the major mechanical and electrical components for the A series (1.74HP), B series (2.49HP), L series (3.49HP), S series (4.93HP), H series (5.57HP), E series (7.70HP) and G series (9.86HP) Pre-WW2 Single and Twin-Cylinder SV and OHV Motorcycles. Also included are detailed specifications and data for the 6, 6a, 7, 7c, 9, 9c, 14 & 15 sidecars and the 9HP (1021cc) BSA Three-wheeler.
A GUIDE TO THE VARIOUS ‘BOOK OF THE BSA’ EDITIONS FOR OWNERS OF PRE-WW2 MODELS THROUGH 1939
The 2nd edition (published 1926) provides detailed coverage on the 2.49HP through 9.86HP models up to 1926 with some of those models dating back as far as 1914. This edition includes a 1927 supplement that provides data on the first year ‘Sloper’ model. As the ‘Sloper’ models are highly regarded and collectible the VelocePress reprint (ISBN 9781588501790) of the 2nd edition is considered to be a significant publication for BSA models built prior to 1927.
The 4th edition (published 1930) covers the 1.74HP to 9.86HP models up to 1930 and it was also the time frame that BSA began to identify their models by the use of an alpha designation. Once again some of those models date back to 1914 making the VelocePress reprint (ISBN 9781588502308) of the 4th edition of most use to owners of the early A (1.74), B (2.49), L (3.49), S (4.93), H (5.57), E (7.70), G (9.86) models.
With the publication of the 6th (1933) and 7th edition (1935), model coverage changed to include the 149cc to 986cc X, B, R, W and M singles and the V-Twin J and G models. The 7th edition included a 1936 supplement and was also the last edition to include the X, R, W and J models as they were eliminated from the 8th edition. Consequently, the VelocePress reprint (ISBN 9781588501868) of the 7th edition is of most use to owners of the X, B, R, W, M, J and G models up to, and including, 1936.
The 8th edition, (published 1937) eliminated all of the data for the earlier models prior to 1936 and the contents were specific to the 1937 models only. Due to its narrow focus, it is likely to be of the least use to owners of pre 1937 models.
The 9th edition published in 1939 made up for the lack of information in the 8th edition and it is the only edition specific to the entire line of BSA models manufactured from 1936 through 1939 prior to the onset of WW2 including the B, C, G, J, M, Q, R, W, X & Y models. The 10th, 11th and 12th editions published after the end of WW2 were just a reprint of the 9th edition with the addition of a 50 page ‘supplement’ covering the post-war models. This supplemental information is of little use to owners of the pre-war models. Therefore, as the 8th edition did not include information on the J, R, W and X models the VelocePress reprint (ISBN 9781588502315) of the 9th edition is of the most use to owners of the 1936 to 1939 B, C, G, J, M, Q, R, W, X & Y models.
