BSA B440 Victor Enduro
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| BSA B440 Victor Enduro | |
| Manufacturer | |
|---|---|
| Production | 1971 |
| Engine | Four stroke, single cylinder, OHV, 2 valves |
| Compression ratio | 8.4:1 |
| Ignition | Coil |
| Battery | 12V |
| Transmission | 4-Speed |
| Frame | Tubular steel, cradle |
| Suspension | Front: Telescopic forks Rear: Swing arm, twin shock |
| Brakes | Front: 8 in., sls drum Rear: 7 in., sls drum |
| Front Tire | 3.25 x 19 in. |
| Rear Tire | 4.00 x 18 in. |
| Weight | |
| Oil Capacity | 3 L / 5 pints |
| Fuel Capacity | 8 L / 1.75 US gal |
| Manuals | Service Manual |
Engine[edit | edit source]
The engine was a Air cooled cooled Four stroke, single cylinder, OHV, 2 valves. The engine featured a 8.4:1 compression ratio.
Drive[edit | edit source]
Power was moderated via the Wet, multi-plate.
Chassis[edit | edit source]
It came with a 3.25 x 19 in. front tire and a 4.00 x 18 in. rear tire. Stopping was achieved via 8 in., sls drum in the front and a 7 in., sls drum in the rear. The front suspension was a Telescopic forks while the rear was equipped with a Swing arm, twin shock. The B440 Victor Enduro was fitted with a 8 L / 1.75 US gal fuel tank.
Photos[edit | edit source]
Overview[edit | edit source]
BSA 440 Victor Enduro
This Cheney-BSA is one of six machines commissioned by the
Ministry of Defence, for whom Bryan Cowshall was working as a test driver at the
time, for use by the British Army Vase A Team in the ISDT and other
international events.
Bypassing red tape, master frame-maker and ex-ISDT gold-medallist Eric Cheney built the first bike in time for Bryan Cowshall to debut it at the National Enduro at Bordon. A win at the following weeks ISCA Enduro was sufficient to interest the MoD top brass and the prototype machine (minus Cheneys special moto-cross motor and rear wheel assembly) was accepted for evaluation together with a second rolling chassis. Those two machines were subsequently raced successfully by Bryan Cowshall and Army Champion, George Webb, resulting in the purchase of four more rolling chassis from Eric Cheney. To satisfy the civil servants responsible for funding the project, the frames were painted Army Green as the ISDT Team were supposedly riding military machines. Bryan Cowshalls letter reveals that the frame stamping MVEECY 5 stands for Military Vehicle Experimental Establishment CheneY number 5. He further states that which rider rode which bike in the ISDT cannot be determined from the frame numbers, although he was able to identify this machine as his by virtue of an official seal marking carried over from his 1970 ISDT BSA, as well as certain other unique features.
The engines used by the Armys ISDT team were works units
prepared in the BSA Competitions Department and fitted with lightened and
polished crankshafts and con-rods. A compression plate (with appropriately
lengthened pushrods) was fitted together with enduro cams, bigger valves and a
special exhaust system designed by Dr Gordon Blair of Queens University
Belfast. The lubrication system was modified to include the primary drive in
order to cool the high-output alternator, while the ignition system specially
developed by Lucas was dual CDI with external coils mounted on either side of
the front downtube. The alloy clutch basket fitted to the Cowshall bike was a
personal perk from the Comp Shop and not fitted to the other machines.
In the ISDT itself, Bryan Cowshall had his bikes forks seize and lost a footrest on the first morning, but nevertheless managed to finish on time. Unfortunately Bryan, together with several other riders, was taken ill overnight and could not continue with the event.
What happened to his machine subsequently is not known.
"1972 ISDT Works Cheney BSA 441 Enduro"
| Make Model | BSA 440 Victor Enduro |
|---|---|
| Year | 1971 |
| Engine Type | Four stroke, single cylinder, OHV, 2 valves |
| Displacement | 441 cc / 26.9 cub in. |
| Bore X Stroke | 78 x 60 mm |
| Cooling System | Air cooled |
| Compression | 8.4:1 |
| Lubrication | Dry sump |
| Oil Capacity | 3 L / 5 pints |
| Exhaust | Steel, high level |
| Carburetor | 30 mm Amal Concentric |
| Ignition | Coil |
| Battery | 12V |
| Starting | Kick start |
| Max Power | 20.6 kW / 28 hp @ 6500 rpm |
| Clutch | Wet, multi-plate |
| Transmission | 4-Speed |
| Final Drive | Chain |
| Frame | Tubular steel, cradle |
| Front Suspension | Telescopic forks |
| Rear Suspension | Swing arm, twin shock |
| Front Brakes | 8 in., sls drum |
| Rear Brakes | 7 in., sls drum |
| Wheels | Steel, wire spoke |
| Front Tire | 3.25 x 19 in. |
| Rear Tire | 4.00 x 18 in. |
| Fuel Capacity | 8 L / 1.75 US gal |
| Colours | BSA racing yelllow and silver, Blue/white, Army green (Cheney) |
| Source | Speedtracktales |