Value of a wartime BSA folding bike...

[Jim Burrill]

A fellow MV guy called about one thing, then an "oh, maybe you know..."

He was at a barn sale here in eastern PA and usual stuff - housewares and farm tool... thought to ask the seller if he had anything "military"

Guy said, well yes.. a funny bicycle that his dad brought back in his bomber from England at the end of Ww2.

Seems he has a BSA folding bike in untouched condition (except the seat was replaced with a wider one from something here.)

Neither of us are into bicycles so Haven't a clue what the value is.

Asked him to get back to the seller and get names and dates on paper to give some provenance to the bike.

Anyone "into" British bicycles who can educate us on them a bit.

It is not mine,so I am just passing along the request for info....

[motto]

I wouldn't say too much Jim, HM Government has a long memory and they're probably still looking for the bike and hold a warrant for the fellow who took it or his descendants!
Us Aussies know these things!

David

[chris vickery]

Jim
Suffice it to say, the fellow has what is known as a Paratrooper bike made by BSA.
An untouched original is quite rare and quite valuable.
It would be worth a lot more if it was 100% including the wartime seat.
Very nice reproduction seats are available from a guy in the UK.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Nice story if turns out to be true.

Not all folding bicycles were used by paratroopers, but that's what they are associated with most of the time.

As for value, check the internet (eBay, milweb, etc) as they come up for sale quite regularly. Do bear in mind they do not (at least always) sell for the asking prices, the current ad on milweb has been on there for quite a while.

H.

[jack neville]

Prices for complete bikes have ranged from around AUD $2000 to almost $5000 for the best original example over the past couple of years. They come up regularly.