My friend that collected all these WW1 machines doesn't ride!!!! He bought this BSA inEngland, 2011. When it arrived, I uncrated it, added fuel and oil, and it started second kick. Rode about six or seven blocks, around my neighbourhood, that evening. Throttle is two levers (air and fuel, so you basically set mixture for a fast idle), ignition advance is a lever on the left (full advance as soon as you get going), Clutch is the left lever, or the foot pedal and three speed gearbox is controlled with the hand lever, on the right...... keeps you totally involved!
Oil feed is controlled by a hand pump and knob that sets the drip feed rate. Too much and it smokes. To little and it will seize.
Brakes are a bicycle style clamping pads on the front rim, and a wooden shoe that fits in the right side “pulley” on the rear wheel. Neither is terribly effective. For lights, there is a little pot that holds powder in the bottom, and water in the top. You open a small needle valve to regulate a small drip feed. This generates acetylene gas, that travels through rubber pipes to the front and rear lamps. Open the glass, and ignite with a match! It’s been in a museum, ever once that afternoon, but I’m sure it would start easily. Like any 102 year old motorcycle, it would need constant attention.
