Leon's BSA homepage: engine and frame numbers

BSA engine and frame numbers

Engine and frame numbers started at 101 and counted upwards. Sometimes some changes were introduced during the production of a certain model. In order to identify these changes in a model the engine and/or frame number prefixes were changed. During 1938 BSA developed a number of new or modified models which were only introduced during the 1939 model year, hence the double year letter in the numbers. In that case a series of models did not necessarily start at 101 but at the number at which they ended the 1938 production year. Actually this was more or less a case of stamping the engine and the frame with another year letter.

Click one of these links to proceed directly to a certain model year:

model year 1930
model year 1931
model year 1932
model year 1933
model year 1934
model year 1935
model year 1936
model year 1937
model year 1938
model year 1939
model year 1940

1930

model	description	engine number	frame number	remarks
A30-2	1.74 h.p.	Y...	E...	two stroke
B30-3	2.49 h.p. S.V	XM.101	XB.101
B30-4	2.49 h.p. O.H.V.	XR.101	XB.101
L30-5	3.49 h.p. S.V.	XT.101	XB.101
L30-5	3.49 h.p. S.V. commercial	XT.101	XA.101	commercial carrier
S30-7	4.93 h.p. S.V.	XS.101	XH.101	sloper
H30-8	5.57 h.p. S.V.	XX.101	XH.101	sloper
S30-9	4.93 h.p. De Luxe S.V.	XX.101	XH.101	sloper
H30-10	5.57 h.p. S.V. De luxe	XX.101	XH.101	sloper
L30-11	3.49 h.p. O.H.V	XS.101	XH.101	sloper
S30-12	4.93 h.p. O.H.V.	XW.101	XX.101	sloper
S30-13	4.93 h.p. O.H.V. De Luxe	XP.101	XH.101	sloper
E30-14	7.70 h.p. S.V. V-Twin	XY.101	XD.101	V-twin
G30-15	9.86 h.p. S.V. V-Twin	XY.101	XD.101	V-twin
G30-16	9.86 h.p. W.T. S.V. V-Twin	XZ.101	XG.101	V-twin
S30-18	4.93 h.p. Light S.V.	XU.101	XL.101
S30-19	4.93 h.p. O.H.V. Light	XU.101 of XO.101	XL.101

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1931

model	description	engine number	frame number	remarks
B31-1	2.49 h.p. S.V.	Y1-101	Y1-101
B31-2	2.49 h.p. O.H.V.	Y2-101	Y1-101
B31-3	2.49 h.p. O.H.V. de Luxe	Y3-101	Y3-101
L31-4	3.49 h.p. S.V.	Y4-101	Y1-101
L31-5	3.49 h.p. S.V. de Luxe	Y5-101	Y5-101
L31-6	3.49 h.p. O.H.V.	Y6-101	Y5-101
S31-7	3.49 h.p. S.V.	Y7-101	Y7-101	Sloper
H31-8	5.57 h.p. S.V.	Y8-101	Y7-101	Sloper
S31-9	4.93 h.p. O.H.V.	Y9-101	Y7-101
S31-10	4.93 h.p. O.H.V. de Luxe	Y10-101	Y7-101	Sloper
E31-11	7.70 h.p. S.V.	Y11-101	Y11-101	2 gallon tank V-Twin
E31-11	7.70 h.p. S.V.	Y11-101	Y11A-101	3 gallon tank V-Twin
G31-12	9.86 h.p. S.V. W.T.	Y12-101	Y12-101	V-Twin World Tour

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1932

model description engine number frame number remarks

B32-1 2.49 h.p. O.H.V. Z1-101 Z1-101

B32-2 3.49 h.p. S.V. Z2-101 Z1-101

L32-3 3.49 h.p. O.H.V. Special Z3-101 Z3-101

L32-4 3.49 h.p. S.V. de Luxe Z4-101 Z4-101 hand change

L32-4 3.49 h.p. S.V. de Luxe Z4-101 Z5-101 foot change

L32-5 3.49 h.p. O.H.V. de Luxe Z5-101 Z4-101 hand change

L32-5 3.49 h.p. O.H.V. de Luxe Z5-101 Z5-101 foot change

L32-5 3.49 h.p. O.H.V. Blue Star Z5-101 of Z11-1051 Z4-101 hand change

L32-5 3.49 h.p. O.H.V. Blue Star Z5-101 of Z11-1051 Z5-101 foot change

W32-6 4.99 h.p. S.V. Z6-101 Z6-101 hand change

W32-6 4.99 h.p. S.V. Z6-101 Z7-101 foot change

W32-7 4.99 h.p. O.H.V. Z7-101 Z6-101 hand change

W32-7 4.99 h.p. O.H.V. Z7-101 Z7-101 foot change

W32-7 4.99 h.p. O.H.V. Blue Star Z7-101 of Z12-463 Z6-101 hand change

W32-7 4.99 h.p. O.H.V. Blue Star Z7-101 of Z12-463 Z7-101 foot change

S32-8 4.93 h.p. O.H.V. de Luxe Z8-101 Z8-101 Sloper

H32-9 5.57 h.p. S.V. de Luxe Z9-101 Z8-101 Sloper

G32-10 9.86 h.p. S.V. Z10-101 Z10-101 V-Twin

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1933

model description engine number frame number remarks

B33-1 2.49 h.p. S.V. A1-101 A1-101

B33-2 2.49 h.p. O.H.V. S.P. A2-101 A1-101

B33-3 2.49 h.p.O.H.V. Blue Star Junior A3-101 A3L-101

R33-4 3.48 h.p. O.H.V. A4-101 A4-101

R33-5 3.48 h.p. O.H.V. Blue Star A5-101 A4-101 hand change

R33-5 3.48 h.p. O.H.V. Blue Star A5-101 A5-101 foot change

W33-6 4.99 h.p. S.V. A6-101 A4-101

W33-7 4.99 h.p. O.H.V. A7-101 A4-101

W33-8 4.99 h.p. O.H.V. Blue Star A8-101 A4-101 hand change

W33-8 4.99 h.p. O.H.V. Blue Star A8-101 A5-101 foot change

W33-9 4.99 h.p. O.H.V. Special A9-101 A9R-101 hand change

W33-9 4.99 h.p. O.H.V. Special A9-101 A9L-101 foot change

M33-10 5.95 h.p. S.V. de Luxe A10-101 A10-101 Sloper

M33-11 5.95 h.p. O.H.V. de Luxe A11-101 A10-101 Sloper

G33-12 9.86 h.p. S.V. Light A12-101 A12-101 V-Twin

G33-13 9.86 h.p. S.V. W.T. A13-101 A13-101 V-Twin World Tour

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1934

model description engine number frame number remarks

X34-0 1.49 h.p. O.H.V. B150-101 B1-101

B34-1 2.49 h.p. S.V. B1-101 B1-101

B34-2 2.49 h.p. O.H.V. B2-101 B1-101

B34-3 2.49 h.p. O.H.V. Blue Star B3-101 B3-101

R34-4 3.48 h.p. O.H.V. B4-101 B4-101

R34-5 3.48 h.p. O.H.V. Blue Star B5-101 B4-101

R34-6 3.48 h.p. O.H.V. Special B6-101 B6-101

W34-7 4.99 h.p. S.V. B7-101 B7-101

W34-8 4.99 h.p. O.H.V. B8-101 B4-101

W34-9 4.99 h.p. O.H.V. Blue Star B9-101 B4-101

W34-10 4.99 h.p. O.H.V. Special B10-101 B6-101

J34-11 4.98 h.p. O.H.V. Twin B11-101 B11-101 V-Twin

M34-12 5.95 h.p. S.V. de Luxe B12-101 B12-101 Sloper

M34-13 5.95 h.p. O.H.V. de Luxe B13-101 B12-101

G34-14 9.86 h.p. S.V. W.T. B14-101 B14-101 V-Twin

B34-17 2.49 h.p. O.H.V. Sports B17-101 B3-101

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1935

model description engine number framenumer remarks

X35-0 1.49 h.p. O.H.V. E0-101 E1-101

B35-1 2.49 h.p. S.V. E1-101 E1-101

B35-2 2.49 h.p. O.H.V. E2-101 E1-101

B35-3 2.49 h.p. O.H.V. de Luxe E3-101 E3-101

R35-4 3.48 h.p. O.H.V. de Luxe E4-101 E3-101

R35-5 3.48 h.p. O.H.V. Blue Star E5-101 E5-101

W35-6 4.99 h.p. S.V. E6-101 E6-101

W35-7 4.99 h.p. O.H.V. E7-101 E5-101

W35-8 4.99 h.p. O.H.V. Blue Star E8-101 E5-101

W35-9 4.99 h.p. O.H.V. Special E9-101 E9-101

M35-10 5.95 h.p. S.V. E10-101 E10-101 Sloper

M35-11 5.95 h.p. O.H.V. E11-101 E10-101 Sloper

J35-12 4.98 h.p. O.H.V. Twin E12-101 E12-101 V-Twin

G35-14 9.86 h.p. S.V. E14-101 E14-101 V-Twin

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1936

model description engine number frame number remarks

X-0 1.49 h.p. O.H.V. D0-101 D1-101

B-1 2.49 h.p. S.V. D1-101 D-101

B-2 2.49 h.p. O.H.V. D2-101 D1-101

B-18 2.49 h.p. O.H.V. Light de Luxe D18-101 D1-101

B-3 2.49 h.p. O.H.V. de Luxe D3-101 D3-101

R-4 3.48 h.p. O.H.V. de Luxe D4-101 D3-101

R-19 3.48 h.p. O.H.V. Competition D19-101 D3-101

R17 3.48 h.p. O.H.V. S.P. D17-101 D6-101

W-6 4.99 h.p. S.V. D6-101 D6-101

Q-7 4.96 h.p. O.H.V. D7-101 D6-101

Q-8 4.96 h.p. O.H.V. Empire Star D8-101 D8-101

R-5 3.48 h.p. O.H.V. Empire Star D5-101 D8-101

Q-8 4.96 h.p. O.H.V. Empire Star 3D8-101 D38-1101 intermediate change

R-5 3.48 h.p. O.H.V. Empire Star 3D5-101 D38-1101 intermediate change

J-12 4.98 h.p. O.H.V. Twin D12-101 D12-101 V-Twin

M-10 5.95 h.p. S.V. D10-101 D10-101

Y-13 7.48 h.p. O.H.V. D13-101 D13-101 V-Twin

G-14 9.86 h.p. S.V. D14-101 D14-101 V-Twin

R-20 3.48 h.p. O.H.V. New Blue Star D20-101 D6-101

Q-21 4.96 h.p. O.H.V. New Blue Star D21-101 D6-101

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1937

model description engine number frame number remarks

B20 250 c.c. S.V. Tourer HB20-101 HB20-101

B21 250 c.c. O.H.V. Sports HB21-101 HB20-101

B22 250 c.c. O.H.V. Empire Star HB22-101 HB20-101

B23 350 c.c. S.V. Tourer HB23-101 HB20-101

B24 350 c.c. O.H.V. Empire Star HB24-101 HB24-101

B25 350 c.c. O.H.V. Competition HB25-101 HB24-101

B26 350 c.c. O.H.V. Sports HB26-101 HB24-101

M19 350 c.c. O.H.V. de Luxe HM19-101 HM19-101

M20 500 c.c. S.V.Tourer HM20-101 HM19-101

M21 600 c.c. S.V. Tourer HM21-101 HM19-101

M22 500 c.c. O.H.V. Sports HM22-101 HM19-101

M23 500 c.c. O.H.V. Empire Star HM23-101 HM19-101

Y13 750 c.c. O.H.V. Vee Twin HY13-101 HY13-101 V-Twin

G14 1000 c.c. S.V. Vee Twin HG14-101 HG14-101 V-Twin

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1938

model description engine number frame number remarks

B20 250 c.c. S.V. Tourer JB20-101 JB20-101

B21 250 c.c. O.H.V. Sports JB21-101 JB20-101

B22 250 c.c. O.H.V. Empire Star JB22-101 JB20-101

B23 350 c.c. S.V. Tourer JB23-101 JB20-101

B24 350 c.c. O.H.V. Empire Star JB24-101 JB24-101

B25 350 c.c. O.H.V. Competition JB25-101 JB24-101

B26 350 c.c. O.H.V. Sports JB26-101 JB24-101

M19 350 c.c. O.H.V. de Luxre JM19-101 JM19-101

M20 500 c.c. S.V. Tourer JM20-101 JM19-101

M21 600 c.c. S.V. Tourer JM21-101 JM19-101

M22 500 c.c. O.H.V. Sports JM22-101 JM19-101

M23 500 c.c. O.H.V. Empire Star JM23-101 JM19-101

M24 500 c.c. O.H.V. Gold Star JM24-101 JM24-101 eerste Gold Star

Y13 750 c.c. O.H.V. Vee Twin JY13-101 JY13-101 V-Twin

G14 1000 c.c. S.V. Vee Twin JG14-101 JG14-101 V-Twin

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1939

model description engine number frame number remarks

C10 Standard 250 c.c. S.V. KJC10- KJC10- 1938 production

C10 De Luxe 250 c.c. S.V. KC10-101 KC10-101

C11 250 c.c. O.H.V. KC11-101 KC10-101

B21 Standard 250 c.c. O.H.V. KJB21- KJB20- 1938 production

B21 De Luxe 250 c.c. O.H.V. KB21-101 KB21-101

B23 Standard 350 c.c. S.V. KJB23- KJB20- 1938 production

B23 De Luxe 350 c.c. S.V. KB23-101 KB21-101

B24 Silver Star 350 c.c. O.H.V. KB24-101 KB24-101

B25 Competition 350 c.c. O.H.V. KB25-101 KB24-101

B26 350 c.c. O.H.V. KB26-101 KB24-101

M20 Standard 500 c.c. S.V. KMS20-101 KM20-101

M20 De Luxe 500 c.c. S.V. KM20-101 KM20-101

M21 600 c.c. S.V. KM21-101 KM20-101

M22 Standard 500 c.c. O.H.V. KJM22- KJM19- 1938 production

M22 De Luxe 500 c.c O.H.V. KM22-101 KM20-101

M23 Silver Star 500 c.c. O.H.V. KM23-101 KM23-101

M24 Gold Star 500 c.c. O.H.V. KM24-101 KM24-101

G14 Vee Twin 1000 c.c. S.V. KG14-101 KG14-101 V-Twin

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1940

model description engine number frame number remarks

C10 250 c.c. S.V. WC10-101 WC10-101

C11 250 c.c. O.H.V. WC11-101 WC10-101

C12 350 c.c. S.V. WC12-101 WC10-101

B29 Silver Sports 350 c.c. O.H.V. WB29-101 WB27-101

M20 500 c.c. S.V. WM20-101 WM20-101

M21 600 c.c. S.V. WM21-101 WM20-101

M23 Silver Star 500 c.c. O.H.V. WM23-101 WM20-101

G14 Vee Twin 1000 c.c. S.V. WG14-101 WG14-101 V-Twin

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Created: 12-4-98
Last udate: 21-3-01

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