Assembled from ‘A’ pattern (Road-Racing) BSA Fittings, this bicycle is exceedingly popular for racing and fast road riding purposes. The frame can be built either for 26in or 28in wheels, and with sloping or parallel top tube as desired.
– BSA Fittings catalogue description
BSA Fittings kick-started the cycle industry in many countries around the world, but particularly in Australia, New Zealand and France. A BSA company report in 1909 revealed that while there was a demand for complete BSA bicycles in Britain, there was still a preference for BSA Fittings around the world. Many local shops built bicycles from BSA fittings in Britain too.
1910 Road Racer built from BSA Fittings
Sloping Top Tube with 2″ Drop
Standover height: 34″ to 32″
BSA 3-speed gear
Pull-up front brake
Bowden rear brake
23″ Frame
28″ Wheels
(Now sold)
The BSA Fittings Road Racer was one of the most practical bicycles of its day. It could be built by any competent cycle builder with fittings ordered through the cycle trade. The advantage was that the customer could peer over the shop owner’s shoulder as he leafed through the trade catalogues and select the parts he wanted. Best of all, despite having top quality components it was half the price of a machine sold by the well-known companies.
The sloping top tube on this example has a two inch drop, the top tube being 34″ above the ground under the seat post, and 32″ above the ground at the steering head end. It’s a quirky machine, with its handlebars pointing forwards in Aussie-fashion, and a lovely Bowden brake on the rear. This fast tourer would no doubt have been owned by a series of canny roadmen down the years. I know the last two owners – Alan and Tim – spanning 30 years or more, and they are canny roadmen to a tee. As I so often say, I wish I knew the first owner who ordered it from his local cycle shop. Oh to have been a fly on that wall 113 years ago as he at last walked into the shop to collect it, jumped on and sped away down the road weaving through the traffic…
A previous owner has added a period French headbadge as decoration and a later French saddle, which is comfortable enough and in keeping with the bicycle. It rides easily and fast. I suppose in 1910 it was the cycling equivalent of a sportscar. Whether you want it for fast touring or city commuting, it is was designed at the time as a practical machine for both. This scorcher is ready to ride and, eleven decades later, it still covers those bases.
1910 BSA FITTINGS CATALOGUE