This bike was part of the McBride collections. McBride's was a dealership for almost 100 years, just around the corner (10 minute walk) from my house. Unfortunately they went under about 18 months ago, and the collection was sold off.
My BMW R75/6 was also part of the dealership collection for about 20 years. Someone traded it in I think in the early 80's and it sat there I guess on display or in the back in storage. As a result it's perfectly all original and in perfect condition.
It was a sad day when they closed up. They were in a great old building, which had a bowling alley on the 2nd floor at one point. The accessories shop moved up there and the old lanes were still there in the floor. You could see the markings etc.
The only good part was they blew out the inventory at deep discounts. I picked up a set of Progressive springs for my BMW forks for $25 and also scored a framed vintage 1970's BMW poster that they would have put in the dealerships. It was nice having both a Honda and BMW dealer around the corner. I bought pretty much all my CB550F parts through them.
That BSA was part of a huge lot that the guy in the US bought. It was in a magazine shortly after - can't recall the specifics though. Percy McBride showed some real discipline and forward thinking when he put that BSA in storage and kept all the crating etc.
They've since torn the building down, which is just as sad and now the vacant lot is for sale.
We lost another old bike shop just last week too. Dukes Cycle, another near 100 year old business burned to the ground in a 6 alarm fire that took out a block of Queen St. West in Toronto. They however are relocating and remain in business.
