B.S.A.
The B.S.A. Company will list four models for the 1912 season. They are a roadster, a free engine, a two-speed, and a T.T. model. All these types will be lifted with the 85 x 88 mm. engine, which has undergone practically no alterations. A dropped top tube is now employed on the frame. Inverted levers are used for the brake and exhaust lifter, and the B.S.A. spring fork, which has given great satisfaction, is retained. The new type Bosch magneto is used, and the metal magneto cover fitted to this year's machine is dispensed with, as the efficient front mud flap protects the magneto from mud. while the construction of the new type Bosch guards against shorting by rain. The tank is similar to this year's, but a screw petrol tap is fitted, and the T.T. and two-speed models are fitted with Best and Lloyd sight-feed lubricators. In all types the new B. and B. carburetter is used. The front wheel can be detached by removing a central bolt on which the hollow hub spindle is carried. Pedalling gear is fitted to all except the T.T. model, and in this ease it is replaced by a second pair of footrests. The foot brake is carried on a special lug. A new carrier has been evolved, having pannier tool-bags carried in metal pockets, which protect the ends, backs, and bottoms of the bags from mud splashed from the rear wheels.
It will be remembered that the B.S.A. clutch, a sketch of which was published in a recent issue, consists of a double ended and double-faced cone gripped between corresponding side pieces. A new and very neat two-speed gear is fitted in the hub. It is small and light. but smooth and positive in its action. Its operation is as follows : The gear is of the epicyclic type controlled by a double-faced clutch, and is placed in the rear hub. Normally, the springs S1 force the cone A into engagement with the corresponding cone B, which is splined to the hub shell H, thus locking the belt rim to the hub shell, and giving the high or direct gear. By depressing a pedal the rod K forces A out of engagement, and the gears revolve idly, giving the free engine position; but by further depressing the pedal the inner face of A is forced into engagement with the cone C, which is anchored to the frame, thus holding the sun wheel S (to which A is splined) from revolving, and causing the hub shell to be rotated through the planetary pinions P at a reduced ratio (in this case 38%). From a short trial spin, we are satisfied that the gear is extremely simple to manipulate, and very smooth in action, and when once engaged we noticed no tendency to slip.
1911 Olympia Show - The Motor Cycle November 16th, 1911. Page 1220
B.S.A., No. 122.
Birmingham Small Arms Co., Ltd., Birmingham. – The B.S.A. machines on view at the Show exhibit a few notable differences from those which have proved so successful during the last year, the only new introduction being a two-speed gear model with B.S.A. hub clutch. This device was recently illustrated and described in The Motor Cycle, and it need only now be said that it is of the epicyclic type, having a low gear with a forty per cent, reduction in ratio below the high. The clutch is entirely enclosed, and is of the metal-to-metal cone type. A good point in this gear is that only one kind of lubricant is required for the whole of the bearings. The magneto bracket is cast in one with the aluminium silencer end plates, but the aluminium magneto cover has been dispensed with, as a totally enclosed Bosch machine is used. The cut-out on the silencer is operated by a rocking pedal.
B.S.A. spring forks are the same in general design as those of last year, but now have a generator bracket brazed on to the side of the blade. The hand brake and exhaust lifter are worked by inverted levers with enclosed Bowden cables. The handle-bar grips are furnished with helical grooves which are extremely comfortable and firm. The frame is of the dropped type. The lubrication of the engine is by a Best and Lloyd sight-feed drip lubricator, and the oil is forced through an adjustable nozzle by a spring behind the plunger.
1911 Olympia Show - The Motor Cycle November 23rd, 1911. Page 1275
