BSA G14
BSA G14 | |
Manufacturer | |
---|---|
Production | 1927 - 40 |
Engine | Four stroke V-twin cylinder, L-head |
Ignition | Lucas magneto |
Battery | 6V |
Transmission | 4-Speed, constant mesh |
Frame | Duplex cradle with forged steel backbone |
Suspension | Front: Parallelogram with spring shock absorbers and friction damper Rear: None, spring loaded saddle |
Brakes | Front: Drum, 7 in. Rear: Drum, 7 in. |
Front Tire | 4.00 x 18 in. |
Rear Tire | 4.00 x 18 in. |
Wheelbase | 1600 mm / 63 in. |
Weight | 191 kg / 421 lbs (dry), |
Oil Capacity | 2.3 L / 4.8 US pints |
Fuel Capacity | 17 L / 4.5 US gal |
Manuals | Service Manual |
Engine[edit | edit source]
The engine was a Air cooled cooled Four stroke V-twin cylinder, L-head.
Drive[edit | edit source]
Power was moderated via the Multi-plate, dry.
Chassis[edit | edit source]
It came with a 4.00 x 18 in. front tire and a 4.00 x 18 in. rear tire. Stopping was achieved via Drum, 7 in. in the front and a Drum, 7 in. in the rear. The front suspension was a Parallelogram with spring shock absorbers and friction damper while the rear was equipped with a None, spring loaded saddle. The G14 was fitted with a 17 L / 4.5 US gal fuel tank. The bike weighed just 191 kg / 421 lbs. The wheelbase was 1600 mm / 63 in. long.
Photos[edit | edit source]
Overview[edit | edit source]
BSA G14
(Photo courtesy of Motorworld by V. Sheyanov: )
(Photo courtesy of Motorworld by V. Sheyanov: ) BSA made its first motorcycle with an L-head, V-shape engine in 1919. It was a 770-cc model E. In 1922 the company also went into commercial production of a 986-cc motorcycle which received index F and, after the upgrade in 1924, index G. Before 1936 the BSA motorcycle models had a double digit index that would change every year, and after 1936, as a next model range was coming to production, each machine got its own name. Thus heavy motorcycles of model G had at first indexes like G 30-16 or G 34-14 and after 1936 they were simply called G 14. Thus, even though the history of BSA G14 started in 1936, its heritage was as long as from early 1920s.
Despite the fact that G14 was supplied in its solo version, its main task was to act as a workhorse that is to transport heavy loads in the sidecar. The powerful engine was providing comfortable riding conditions for the driver, even across a rough terrain. In the 1930s motorcycles like the G14 were not counted, of course, as belonging to cruiser category, even though it had, from todays viewpoint, all relevant characteristics: additional torsion torque (that was achieved, among other things, due to flywheels), a long wheelbase, a retorted steering wheel, large tires, a lot of chrome and a low seat.
The frame of G14 was very special. Its base was made of forged steel and had impressive 16 kg of weight. The top part and the seat part of the frame were also forged. Forged steel is very rarely used in motorcycle design, with the exception of connecting rods, perhaps, even though it is well known that this solution is more reliable and solid than using molded pieces. This practice was more often the case in arms productionwhich was, in fact, BSAs original line of business.
In 1937 Holland broke the contract with BMW re delivery of military motorcycles and switched to cooperation with BSA concluding one of the largest contracts over its whole history of working with foreign suppliers. In the two years before the German occupation, the BSA delivered to the Dutch army over 1750 motorcyclesmodels M13 and G14.
The military version of G14 was delivered in pre-WWII years not only to Holland, but also to Ireland, India, South Africa and Sweden.
During WWII BSA was one of the largest suppliers of motorcycles to the British army. Of the 425 thousand motorcycles, the total of 126334 units was made in Birmingham. These were mostly, however, one-cylinder motorcycles that were chosen because of their lower cost and a relative ease of manufacture. As for G14 model, its production was terminated in 1940. Source Motorworld by V. Sheyanov:
(Photo courtesy of Motorworld by V. Sheyanov:
)
Make Model | BSA G14 |
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Year | 1927 - 40 |
Engine Type | Four stroke V-twin cylinder, L-head |
Displacement | 986 cc / 60.2 cub in. |
Bore X Stroke | 80 x 98 mm |
Cooling System | Air cooled |
Lubrication | Double mechanical pump |
Oil Capacity | 2.3 L / 4.8 US pints |
Carburetor | Amal 76 |
Exhaust | Two into one, steel |
Ignition | Lucas magneto |
Battery | 6V |
Starting | Kick start |
Max Power | 18.4 kW / 25 hp @3800 rpm |
Clutch | Multi-plate, dry |
Transmission | 4-Speed, constant mesh |
Final Drive | Chain |
Gear Ratios | Solo: 1st 13.7 / 2nd 9.5 / 3rd 6.0 / 4th 4.6:1 Sidecar model: 1st 14.3 / 2nd 9.9 / 3rd 6.3 / 4th 4.6:1 |
Frame | Duplex cradle with forged steel backbone |
Front Suspension | Parallelogram with spring shock absorbers and friction damper |
Rear Suspension | None, spring loaded saddle |
Front Brakes | Drum, 7 in. |
Rear Brakes | Drum, 7 in. |
Front Tire | 4.00 x 18 in. |
Rear Tire | 4.00 x 18 in. |
Dimensions | Width: 736 mm / 29 in. (without sidecar) |
Wheelbase | 1600 mm / 63 in. |
Ground Clearance | 120 mm / 4.7 in. |
Dry Weight | 191 kg / 421 lbs |
Fuel Capacity | 17 L / 4.5 US gal |
Colours | Black and chrome with green tank panels |
Source | Motos of War |