BSA 1934 J34-11 498cc 2 cyl ohv 3407

BSA 1934 J34-11 498 cc ohv V-twin frame # B11 634 engine # B 11.624

At the 1933 Olympia show BSA displayed a 14-model range; more than 60 machines were showed an one of the newcomers was a handsome 498 cc (63×80 mm) 45 degree OHV V-twin, the model J 34-11. The machine was actually not a complete newcomer: it was based on a design specially prepared for the War Office a year or so earlier. After extensive tests the military authorities were satisfied with its performance and between 1933 and 1936 some 700 machines were ordered by the Army, War Office and RAF: the model J was for some years the standard British Army motorcycle. At Olympia it created great interest with the public because of its good looks and OHV twin engine, which engine type was new in the BSA range. Foot change and dry sump lubrication were also modern features for 1934. At around £70 the model J was 20% more expensive than a comparable single cylinder OHV and it was but slightly more powerful. Consequently, not too many of these interesting machines were sold to the general public in their 3-year production run and today they are pretty rare birds. The machine we present was imported in The Netherlands from Italy in 1983 and successively restored; pre-restauration photos are available. She’s had a long sleep in a private BSA collection and is now ready to be enjoyed again.