…you also need…
In order to counteract the grizzled desert racer we told you to put in your shed, we’ve decided you also need a superb unit BSA. The connection is both bikes have competition history.
… a bike which displays the talents of the builder.
BSA’S unit Mxers were developed when the comp department at the factory realised the Gold Star was on its limit as a serious racer. Yes, Jeff Smith was still winning on his but that says more about him than the bike.
The world was changing, lighter bikes were being developed and the non-unit construction models would always be heavier, no matter what was done to them.
Starting with their B40 motor, Brian Martin put together a bike for Red Marley Hill Climb, just to see. Martin was no slouch on a motorcycle and did well enough for the factory to sanction some works bikes with a view to eventually doing well in GPS. History records that with Smith in the saddle and Martin in charge of the comp shop BSA did well in GPS… very well… and gained two world championships.
They also produced a range of MX machines which even now are doing well in classic MX. This particular one is raced by Alan Arnott, though not owned by him.
With Alan’s Gold Star being less than competitive in the European ECMO series he wanted to keep on the pace so Paul Cullum dropped off a load of bits and Alan assembled this B44 for the pre-68 class.
It’s out to 500cc, runs on methanol and looks oh so nice and before Alan got it dirty we asked him about it.
The frame is a close replica of an early Cheney with a few mods to the swinging arm position to ease chain tensioning issues. A painted frame rather than nickel plated, the shade won’t be found on any colour chart, but we’re calling it Arnott Blue after the creator who said: “I was given a load of blue paint which I didn’t like at all, so added black until I got a shade I liked…”
Suspension at either end is a combination of several types, the front forks for instance are Marzocchi internals with Ceriani sliders while at the back are Ohlins with Reiger springs. Rolling on wheels made from CZ hubs, the rear brake plate is actually a front one converted to fully floating rather than fixed. Alloy rims are modern as are the Michelin tyres fitted to them.
The engine is not too trick and is made using a round barrel for eligibility reasons, the compression ratio is quite high for methanol and the ignition is twin spark Interspan, two sparks allow less ignition advance and a better burn rate. Unlike most others racing such engines, Alan has a four-speed box as he feels the spread of gears is better, and he hasn’t embraced belt drive for the primary but he has an NEB clutch in there.
The bike has stainless steel fasteners throughout and the heads have been relieved to shave off extra weight. The bike exudes attention to detail and for this reason we say you need a unit Beezer in your shed.