1956 BSA B31 Registration Number: 743 XWA Frame Number: TBA...

Hammer

£2,200

1956 BSA B31

Registration Number: 743 XWA
Frame Number: TBA

A fresh design for the post-war period rather than an updated pre-war design, BSA’s new B31 was announced in August 1945, pitched as a thoroughly modern interpretation of the traditional sporting middleweight single, with telescopic forks and a four speed gearbox. Endowed with good performance (up to 70 mph on 73 octane pool petrol), the B31 quickly established itself in the market and would sire a range of increasingly glamorous models culminating in the post war Goldies. The overhead valve engine featured an iron top end and a separate pushrod tunnel. 1948 saw a change of livery with the silver tank panels giving way to green lined with gold and a new, stronger rigid frame was adopted. The next significant change occurred as the forties drew to a close with the option of a plunger frame. Later the pivoted fork frame, first seen on the Gold Stars, became available for the B31. The B 31's punchy 'iron' engine had the bore and stroke of the 350 'Goldie' and looked exactly like it to most people, but also had plenty of reliable power and a feeling of durable solidity allied to splendid handling

This example has been subject to mechanical refurbishment in recent times. The engine was stripped and rebuilt with oversized bores (now to 415cc), new bearings, larger inlet ports, and Gold Star cams. The dynamo was overhauled and converted to 12 volts. The brakes have been treated to new shoes at the front. The forks feature two-way damping, and new seals, the wheels are alloy-type rims fitted with new tyres, and driven via new chains.  

Finished in Gold Star cafe racer trim, this B31 is a highly usable bike featuring some useful upgrades.