BSA B31 Road Test the best value for money British 350

[@johnrule984]

I've had my 1958 BSA B31 for 40 years. I'm 75 years old now and still ride it when I can . One of the best bikes BSA evmade.

[@bikerdood1100]

Nice 👍

[@fontana6394]

Ive had mine since I was 14, still have it and like you ride it when I can. I’m only 48 so still have plenty of miles to do !!

[@mikewilkins3210]

A great bike. My first bike on my 16th birthday was a 1958 B31 alternator model. I paid £15 for it in completely original and unmodified condition from our next door neighbour who had used it to go to work on until he stored it in his garage for a few years. I owned it for a few years until I succumbed to buying an oil in frame Triumph 650, new from Elie motors of Tooting. I knew I’d made a huge mistake when riding the Triumph back to just outside Meriden, where I lived. The vibration was uncomfortable and it soon destroyed itself within a few months just about 3 weeks after Meriden went bust for the first time. I’d love to find another alternator model B31.

[@bikerdood1100]

Nice 👍🏻

[@Svorro]

I spent some time on my fathers 50's B33 this summer, and its truly a wonderful machine.

[@bikerdood1100]

Indeed they are

[@alistairbernard9574]

Hi, your video on the B31 is a real treat. What a Gorgeous and Charming Machine. My Dad used a 1955 B31 and he used to do a 200 km run up and down regularly over the weekend as he had to travell home from his place of lodging. He said the B31 Never let him down except a broken Throttle cable once. Rain or Shine the B31 goes. Today it's dated yeah but you are talking of the 50s hear and BSA did a Fantastic Job producing the B31. A well built Reliable all rounder. Good looks, Superb Chassis and dependable. Sad i missed many opportunities in getting one my self But on the Positive side my Bro in Texas has got an identical Machine to the one featured and should be up and running soon after a total Nut & Bolt Restoration. In Short the B31 is a by 'Word' for Reliability ❤

[@bikerdood1100]

Great to hear from you A broken throttle cable can happen to any bike especially when it’s getting heavy use and they are indeed lovely bikes

[@limyrob1383]

I rode many miles on a B31 and actually kept it for over 20 years as my go-to bike for short runs. Handled well, comfortable and lovely to ride, but in the end I found it too slow in modern traffic. I had to hold it at full throttle too much given that it was 50 years old. Its a lovely engine, smooth and easy to start, nicer than the 500 but where we live nearly every road out of town is a fast dual carriageway and I was getting out accelerated by busses and loaded trucks. So I swapped to an A10, same ride and comfort but the extra power to keep up. The B31 is still one of my all time favorites, it was the Morris Minor of motorcycles,

[@bikerdood1100]

I have an A10 and found them very similar experience to the B31 Except the engine of course

[@chrisweeks6973]

Goodness, this takes me back to my youth!

[@bikerdood1100]

Good I hope

[@petertate5741]

Cracking bike absolute joy to see it on the road.Great video mate.Well done for showing these old British machines on your channel .😊👌

[@bikerdood1100]

Thanks was a great day out

[@rickh8380]

Really nice little bike. I also really like your gold BSA too. One of my favorites. Take care, ride safe. Cheers from the States

[@bikerdood1100]

Thanks

[@mikewysko2268]

Enjoyed the scenery. Loved the classic motorcycles.

[@bikerdood1100]

Cool 😎

[@herysutoto7006]

BSA 1956 motor paling enak dikendarai

[@bikerdood1100]

Er ok 🤔 Very true

[@bobmurphy9380]

Very reliable bikes, love mine!

[@bikerdood1100]

Very nice they are too

[@Vanrides.]

The 56 model was the only year BSA fitted Ariel full width hubs.

[@bikerdood1100]

Interesting They were pretty good certainly an important on the half width hubs of my 54 Goldflash

[@ianbrown-zw8pz]

Had a plunger-equipped B33 from 1951 when I was 17 in 1957 and loved it! It followed a 1950 Sunbeam S7 which I had when I was sixteen. They each cost £75-00! I enjoyed the beezer more than the Sunbeam because it was lighter and easier to handle both at rest and on the move. Swapped the beezer for an Ariel Leader in 1960 which I commuted on for a few years. Very different but the Leader was great for weather protection and light to handle. If it had a slightly more powerful four-stroke engine I think it would have survived longer in the marketplace!

[@bikerdood1100]

Well they did experiment with 4 stroke engines in the ARIEL. There’s a 4 cylinder 600c. Prototype in the National motorcycle museum It’s engine is in line and laid down like a K series BMW

[@roysmith4716]

Very nice video, I enjoyed he commentary and the description of the bike, thanks for this as I always yearned for a BSA B model single.

[@bikerdood1100]

They are lovely bikes indeed

[@highdownmartin]

The beeza single engine; empire star' b31 and b33 has to be the most aesthetically pleasing bike engines ever. And it's a bloody good engine too!

[@bikerdood1100]

Very true sir Well said

[@borderlands6606]

Lovely machine.

[@bikerdood1100]

Indeed it is

[@upsidedowndog1256]

That looked like fun! My 1971 CB350 twin seems like a modern bike in comparison. Electric start, double leading edge front brake, and upgraded charging system have me spoiled!

[@bikerdood1100]

Well the fact that it’s several years younger might explain that I would think

[@Lanes-Explorer5733]

This was such a treat as my friend had one and we rode out together a lot. His B31 kept up easily with my 5ta Triumph as it handled so well. My RE Hunter isn't so very different from the B31 having a long stroke heavy flywheel engine. Perhaps that's why I love it so much - though I love the look of the B31 you rode. Very elegant.

[@bikerdood1100]

It was a very nice bike indeed I should try one of the new Enfield 350s for a comparison. We did own an 89 350 Which was very similar in many ways

[@Lanes-Explorer5733]

@@bikerdood1100 yes that would be an interesting comparison. While I'd love either a B31 or B33 I'm probably better watching you ride it and enjoying my workshop manual - letting my imagination do the rest 😂

[@IanLawrie-l9q]

Fabulous enlightening review 👍👌👏

[@bikerdood1100]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@dufushead]

1972 Marty Taylor had one in Mr Darlingtons metal work class that he was rebuilding.

[@bikerdood1100]

A lot of old bikes we used in schools back then for the kids to learn on too.

[@ridley8340]

I enjoyed watching that, I have just been offered a B31, not been ridden in 15 years, ran when it was put into storage and turns over now, quite a bit of rust and will need a full restoration (not sure about engine yet). Question is how available are parts for these now?

[@bikerdood1100]

BSA Parts supply is generally good I’d say Lots available in places online

[@ridley8340]

@@bikerdood1100 Thank you

[@Adibarum]

Awesome video and excellent review...Thank you..bought back many memories....I was a dipatch rider in the British Army and the B31 was the bike i learn all of the riding skills on neccessary to be a competant dispatch rider, the same bike you were riding minus all the chrome bits, everything was just hand painted Army Green, but they were very well maintained and just went on forever, and a good way to learn about starting a bike with manual advance and retard and a valve lifter, in 1980 the B31 was replace by the Can-Am Bombardier.

[@bikerdood1100]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@alecpym1706]

Lucky man.

[@bikerdood1100]

If it was my bike That would be lucky I suppose But was a nice ride that’s for sure

[@sefton1972]

What is that silver bobber type BSA near the start? Bloody gorgeous that bike.

[@bikerdood1100]

That’s an early model Gold Star

[@sefton1972]

@@bikerdood1100 top drawer it is.

[@shingerz]

Good video that lovely bike is it on yer shopping list 👍

[@bikerdood1100]

I’ve no room for any more at the moment unfortunately and I already have my A10 You can’t have everything as my wife constantly reminds me

[@-old-school-motorcyclesltd]

Lovely bike and ride ok lacking in power but gorgeous thing😊the B33 would be better but really good video😊😊 I assume the speedo tho is a little out😂 Great stuff again 😊😊

[@bikerdood1100]

Well it’s a museum bike so not in regular use I think if you cruise around at 50-60 mph the 350 is fine and a bit smoother than the B33 of course

[@HorseMalone]

Drop a B33 500cc barrel on it, swap out a few bits like cam and gears, get the head worked on, put on an Amal TT carb and you've got a cheap Gold Star.

[@bikerdood1100]

On the massive assumption that’s what you want of course That would a cheap GS rep of course. The real thing Has a much stronger gear box and bottom end

[@ajazkhan313]

Good ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@bikerdood1100]

You like the B31 It’s a great bike

[@ludo9234]

All that polish and chrome but the speedo isn't working.

[@bikerdood1100]

Well it’s a museum bike so not used regularly on road

[@jeffmoore4153]

Broken speedo or cable!!

[@bikerdood1100]

Don’t know Is a museum bike so not exactly in regular use

[@Jason-sx6su]

They should re-make decent bikes,not shit Brits.RD350LC would be my choice.

[@bikerdood1100]

Ridden one of those too Proper buzzy piece of shot or was two Funny how there so expensive now because so few survived That’ll be Yamaha build quality I expect 😂

[@johnarnold5891]

I have a b31 it's a stunner maroon tank with chrome and black bike over-all. Out of all my bikes she's my baby 😅

[@bikerdood1100]

Indeed they are little stunners