BSA MC 1 Racer
BSA MC 1 Racer | |
Manufacturer | |
---|---|
Production | 1952 |
Engine | Four stroke, horisontal single cylinder, DOHC, with bevel-gear camshaft drive, four radial valves and external flywheel. |
Compression ratio | 10.1:1 |
Top Speed | 177 km/h / 110mph |
Transmission | 4-Speed |
Frame | Tubular, double cradle type |
Suspension | Front: Leading link Rear: Mono shock |
Brakes | Front: Drum Rear: Drum |
Weight | 113 kg / 248 lbs (dry), |
Fuel Capacity | 26 L / 7 US gal |
Manuals | Service Manual |
It could reach a top speed of 177 km/h / 110mph.
Engine[edit | edit source]
The engine was a Air cooled cooled Four stroke, horisontal single cylinder, DOHC, with bevel-gear camshaft drive, four radial valves and external flywheel.. The engine featured a 10.1:1 compression ratio.
Drive[edit | edit source]
Power was moderated via the Dry, multi-plate.
Chassis[edit | edit source]
Stopping was achieved via Drum in the front and a Drum in the rear. The front suspension was a Leading link while the rear was equipped with a Mono shock. The MC 1 Racer was fitted with a 26 L / 7 US gal fuel tank. The bike weighed just 113 kg / 248 lbs.
Photos[edit | edit source]
Overview[edit | edit source]
BSA MC1
In the immediate post-World War II
era, Bert Hopwood, then an engineer at Norton, created the legendary Dominator
parallel twin. In May 1948, Hopwood became chief engineer at BSA. Eager to
develop an innovative, new generation of products for BSA, in 1949 he roughed
out the concept of a 250cc single simply coded MC1 with a horizontal
cylinder and four radial valves operated by short, chain-driven, overhead
camshafts connected by bevel gears.
At a time when long-stroke engines were the
accepted norm, the MC1s square 68mm x 68mm dimensions were unusual. Hopwoods
assistant at Norton, Doug Hele, followed him to BSA in 1949, and in 1950 was
commissioned by Hopwood to put this concept into metal as the prototype for a
family of road bikes, with a possible view to racing in the Lightweight TT in
the Isle of Man where Moto Guzzi singles of comparable format were dominant.
Three engines were built and aprototype lapped the Motor
Industry Research Association's banked test track at 104mph without
streamlining. Reigning 500cc champion Geoff Duke took interest in the project
and was given a test ride in the winter of 1954. He was greatly impressed by the
MC1 and his association with it led to fevered speculation that BSA was about to
enter the international racing arena.
Knowing that BSA bosses would expect nothing less than
total success, Hopwood veoted a road racing programme because he felt the
machine was insufficiently developed to guarantee victory in the Isle of Man TT.
He saw the MC1 as the basis for advances sports roadsters but sadly, the
company's senior management did not share his vision.
Make Model | BSA MC1 Racer |
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Year | 1952 |
Engine Type | Four stroke, horisontal single cylinder, DOHC, with bevel-gear camshaft drive, four radial valves and external flywheel. |
Displacement | 248.5 cc / 15.2 in |
Bore X Stroke | 70 x 64.5 mm |
Cooling System | Air cooled |
Compression | 10.1:1 |
Lubrication | Dry sump |
Carburetor | 2 x Amal |
Exhaust | Single, chrome |
Clutch | Dry, multi-plate |
Maximum Power | 25 kW / 34 hp @ 10250 rpm |
Transmission | 4-Speed |
Final Drive | Chain |
Frame | Tubular, double cradle type |
Front Suspension | Leading link |
Rear Suspension | Mono shock |
Front Brakes | Drum |
Rear Brakes | Drum |
Wheels | Steel, laced spokes |
Dry Weight | 113 kg / 248 lbs |
Fuel Capacity | 26 L / 7 US gal |
Top Speed | 177 km/h / 110mph |
Colours | Racing green |