1939-1945 BSA Airborne Folding Paratroopers Bike (‘Parabike’)
– A ‘Barn Find’ in Very Authentic Original Condition
Frame Number R77467
(Now sold, and in Asia)
This Airborne came out of long-term storage. It’s a classic ‘barn find’ – which, for modern-day vintage vehicle collectors, is like finding buried treasure.
It has never been restored. Everything on it is authentic and original, with the exception of the bicycle bell, which was not army issue.
I enjoy looking at restored vintage vehicles as much as the next fellow. But, with most vintage machines now restored – and many of them over-restored – totally original unrestored examples such as this have now become the ultimate collector’s pieces. Please bear in mind that I paid a lot for it, so it’s not cheap!
Of course, the best thing about a good unrestored BSA Airborne like this is when the original transfers still exist. The BSA Piled Arms motif on the seat tube, above, is in good condition.
The arrow on the headstock is also in remarkably good condition for its age; they usually fade more than the BSA transfers.
Original, readable transfers are the first thing I look at when I inspect a vintage bicycle. If necessary, everything else can be found and replaced. Original transfers can’t.
It brings me a lot of pleasure to see a bike as original as this. To my missus, it would no doubt look like a rusty old wreck and she’d wonder why I’ve left cracked tyres on it. She likes shiny bikes. Maybe ‘oily rag’ originality is a ‘bloke’ thing? To me, it feels like a direct connection with the past, with history. I’m not someone who wears smart clothes, so I suppose I’m an ‘oily rag’ myself? The tyres are original ‘War Grade’ issue that – despite sidewall cracks – still pump up.
*************************
Close up views of original War Grade front tyre, front wheel & brakes
There’s now a special page on the BSA/Military Bicycles Website for War Grade Tyres
*************************
Close up views of the original handlebars, levers, grips, handlebar tommy bar retainer, front lamp bracket
*************************
Close up views of original sliding pedal footpegs, BSA chainset, upper and lower folding retainers.
*************************
Close up views of original BSA Airborne saddle and saddle frame
The saddle is the original, though a little worse for wear. If you wish it can be built up underneath, though I don’t mind it as it is.
*************************
Close up views of original rear War Grade tyre, rear drop outs, rear brakes, rear wheel, rear hub, frame number
**********************
For comparison, you can see the Airborne here next to my wartime US Navy Columbia.
**********************
www.Oldbike.eu 