BSA Paratrooper Bike

[Bowman]

We just got home with this bike. It's missing the seat, wrong grips, tires and cables. the crank is wrong on the bike but we have the oringinal, missing the pins to hold it on though. What do you all think about it and does anyone know a value?
Do any of you have parts that you would sell?

Thanks

 

[kingfish254]

Those are pretty cool folding bikes.
I really don't have an idea on value though.

 

[Jpromo]

Mmm I need that crankset.. I'mma send a PM.

 

[Hsean]

Those bikes hold a pretty decent value. even as it sits now it does, but its worth finding anything proper that belonged to it. ive seen em sell for over $900

 

[Sphinx]

10-12 years ago, they were selling for about $500.00.http://www.ebay.com/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=300666042021&item=300666042021&lgeo=1&vectorid=229466

 

[deven_science]

One of my favorite foldables.

They can fetch into the thousands when somewhat complete, so this is in the high hundreds, at least.

 

[Bowman]

Thanks for the info guys

 

[Jpromo]

Dug around a bit and the ones that sell over in Europe seem to pull a lot more than here.. which is weird because they are probably more common over there. Complete ones this side of the pond seem to be in the 900-1300$ range.

 

[MplsCoaster]

Saw my first one at the Portland Art Museum Exhibit "Cyclopedia, Iconic bike designs" very cool
posted a pick (about middle of the page)
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=72003&start=30

Great find, Congrats!

 

[Bowman]

Does anyone know what the correct tires are for this bike?
Also does anyone here have a set of BSA grips that you would be willing to sell?

 

[Jpromo]

Pretty sure the tires are Dunlop and will have War Grade Tyre on the sidewall. Probably not many of them still floating around. The material composition used during wartime didn't hold up as well to aging.

 

[Bowman]

Thanks is that the only brand that made war grade tires?

 

[kingsting]

The frame looks very bent to me. She took quite a frontal impact at one point...

 

[Bowman]

Was thinking the front fork may have bent back some also. The bike folds with out ant promblem and I found another bike with the same wheel frame gap. So not sure if bent or the gap for that year made.
Here are 2 I found that look the same, spacing wise.
Not say that it did not take a hit. All most would be that much cooler if it took a hit like that comeing down on D Day

 

[wheelsofdreams]

I sold one last year for 1,200.00. It had dents and crack in frame.
I bought one this year for 700.00 but the front wheel is not original, and only one brake set.
neither had original grips, tires, or seat.
A good seat close to the original is the Brooks B17

would like to know if the front handlebar screw on top works and handlebars turn freely.
Both the bikes I have had the bars stuck.

I would really like to find an original front wheel will pay up to $200.00

http://richards-outpost.com/e-store/e-s ... ikes-a.htm

 

[wheelsofdreams]

In fine restored condition they go for about $3,000. + - $500.00.
original tires are priceless, (on side wall "Dunlop War Grade", repo grips are available, it also would of had a tool bag hanging from seat.
Its really a nice riding bike with a high bottom bracket, and cantilever double tube design light and strong and able to clear a tree trunk!
Used by Canadian troops on D-Day invasion , landed on the beach and dropped from the sky, very cool bike!

 

[Bowman]

Thanks guys for the great info, i finally got the crank on and i am still on the search for a seat. And yes my head screw does move

 

[wheelsofdreams]

let me know when you are ready to sell

 

[Bowman]

Ok will do, but for now i have no plans to sell

 

[Sphinx]

Check it out.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=91TRqYIpAeY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T0kxi2aj07M
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LT5VpE9cNpo