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BSA M20
This page describes how my internet username came about. I've always been around motorcycles since childhood, my father is a keen motorcyclist, and his garages have always been full of modern and vintage motorbikes in various states of disassembly. It was inevitable that I'd follow in his footsteps. I've enjoyed riding motorbikes since I was old enough to get one, and although Japanese bikes are the cutting edge of technology and performance, British bikes were where it all began, and they hold a special place in my heart. In 2001 I bought a BSA model M20, made in 1949. For a year and a half this was my only transport, and I rode it to commute to work, and for all local trips. These bikes were originally designed for the military during world war 2, and then developed for civilian use afterwards.  This bike was a remarkable machine, no rear suspension, and a 500cc side-valve single cylinder engine. The original performance figures claimed it would do 65mph, I only dared to open the throttle flat-out once, on a freezing cold and foggy day, and then I saw just under 70mph on the speedo. It felt like 100mph. But on any other day it would overheat if much more than 45mph was held for any time. On a fine day and some quiet country lanes it was a joyous way to travel, chugging along slowly sitting comfortably in the sprung saddle enjoying the thumping exhaust note only a British long-stroke single cylinder engine can produce, and watching the countryside unfold at a leisurely pace, looking down at the speedo which proudly carried the words "Made in England". Other days it wasn't so much fun, stranded at the office on a rainy day because the ignition system was full of water, or running up and down the road trying to bump start it after buying fuel because it simply would not kick start when it was hot. Or trying (hopelessly) to stop the constant oil leaks. Still I loved this motorcycle. Sadly I don't own FSJ219 any more. The demands of constant international travel for my job meant that it was spending all its time idle in my sisters garage, and in 2004 I sold it. I don't know where it is, but I hope that the current owner is riding this bike and enjoying it. Still the bike lives on in my username. Every time I need to find a user ID for a website or logon then I can usually count on nobody else having used bsam20. |