Britbike forum Forums British motorcycles in general British motorcycles in general Unreal BSA B33 Survivor

So I recently bought a 1953 BSA B33 from a woman who inherited it from her father and was clueless as to what she should do with it. As it turns out, her father was a film maker in Montreal and was in an accident on a different bike in the 70s, so his B33 was the centerpeice in his living room since. The bike has appeared in a few of his movies from the late 60s, including what is supposed the very first Canadian erotic film, titled Valerie. I now have to decide if I should simply make it safe to take out for the odd ride or do a simple resto removing some of the more garish pieces but mainting the original timpani. There was a documentary made of him entitled "Adagio pour un gars de bicycle" (Adagio for a Biker), and I don't want to remove something from what may be a piece of French Canadian Film history.

This is a link to the trailer of the documentary http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNQ2_9fwtsc







this is the URL to my flickr page that contains more images

http://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/

Mmmmmm- Tastefully done!

Ha ha no kidding, a friend of my dads almost [***] bricks when he saw it, his advice was to keep it as it is, a photograph in motorcycle styling history.

JC Whitney used to sell a hood ornament like that rear fender ornament. I think it had lit eyes that flashed with the turn signals.....

I think its from a packard actually, but i could be wrong

You can afford a house AND motorcycles AND cigarettes...?

I wouldnt change a thing.

Ryder- I love the old B31s and B33s, especially with the rigid or plunger frame. Do what you suggested and just take the bits off you don't like and store them so you can get it back how it was. When it is decided that the film maker was a genius and everything to do with him is worth millions you will be ok! I wouldn't do any restoration apart from cleaning.

Dave.

Did Valerie get nekkid on the bike? (for starters)
which suddenly reminded me of something that happened on the hood of my MG about 25 years ago.............

Just inflate the tyres, change the oil, fill up with gas and ride it.

Ha ha I wish I could afford all those luxuries, i'm new to this scene but my Dad's owned and restored his fair share of Nortons and Triumphs. I think I'll take the advice of you guys and change as little as possible. I have a feeling theres a beautiful motorcycle underneath all the grease and grime, all she needs is a good wash.

And as for Valerie getting nekkid on the bike, I really couldnt say i'm trying to get in touch with the National Film Board of Canada to dig up some of Rene Bails old films but so far to no avail. If anyone has any buddies that are Canadian amateur film buff's perhaps they can help me out?

OHV BSA singles are worthy machines and not too expensive to restore mechanically.

My personal view is that your bike was styled by a drug 5uc#ed hippy waster and Canadian Taxpayers wore the tab ?

But I do like it, particularly the engine.

Ryder

What you have there is one of Armoury Roads finest with a slice of pure canadiana.

I love it :bigt

I wouldn't change a thing unless ,of course, you chose to incorporate somewhere a moose rack and a couple of hockey sticks

Happy riding