BSA C15250
BSA C15250 | |
Manufacturer | |
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Production | 1958 - 67 |
Engine | Four stroke, single cylinder, OHV |
Compression ratio | C15, C15T: 8.0:1 C15SS: 8.75:1 C15S: 10.0:1 |
Spark Plug | C15, C15T: Champion N5, gap 0.020 in. C15SS: Champion N4, gap 0.020 in. C 15S: Champion N3, gap 0.020 in. |
Transmission | 4-Speed |
Frame | Single loop with twin rails under engine |
Suspension | Rear: Pivoted fork |
Front Tire | C15, C15SS: 3.25 x 17 in. C15T, C15S: 3.00 x 20 in. |
Rear Tire | C15, C15SS: 3.25 x 17 in. C15T, C15S: 4.00 x 18 in. |
Wheelbase | C15, C15SS: 1308 mm / 51.5 in C15T, C15S: 1314 mm / 51,75 in. |
Seat Height | C15, C15SS: 762 mm / 30 in. C15T: 838 mm / 33 in. C15S: 813 mm / 32 in. |
Weight | C15, C15SS: 127 kg / 280 lbs C15T, C15S: 120 kg / 265 lbs (dry), |
Oil Capacity | C15, C15SS: 2.25 L / 4.76 US pints C15T, C15S: 2.75 L / 5.8 US pints |
Fuel Capacity | C15: 11.5 L / 3.0 US gal C15SS: 13.6 L / 3.6 US gal C15T, C15S: 9.4 L / 2.5 US gal |
Manuals | Service Manual |
Engine[edit | edit source]
The engine was a Air cooled cooled Four stroke, single cylinder, OHV. The engine featured a C15, C15T: 8.0:1 C15SS: 8.75:1 C15S: 10.0:1 compression ratio.
Drive[edit | edit source]
Power was moderated via the 4 Friction plates.
Chassis[edit | edit source]
It came with a C15, C15SS: 3.25 x 17 in. C15T, C15S: 3.00 x 20 in. front tire and a C15, C15SS: 3.25 x 17 in. C15T, C15S: 4.00 x 18 in. rear tire. The C15250 was fitted with a C15: 11.5 L / 3.0 US gal C15SS: 13.6 L / 3.6 US gal C15T, C15S: 9.4 L / 2.5 US gal fuel tank. The bike weighed just C15, C15SS: 127 kg / 280 lbs C15T, C15S: 120 kg / 265 lbs. The wheelbase was C15, C15SS: 1308 mm / 51.5 in C15T, C15S: 1314 mm / 51,75 in. long.
Photos[edit | edit source]
Overview[edit | edit source]
BSA C15
BSA acquired the Triumph marque at the start in 1936, and the
BSA C15 250 cc four stroke was derived from the 200 cc Triumph Tiger Cub, itself
coming from the 150cc Terrier. Edward Turner became head of the BSA automotive
division and in 1958 BSA introduced the concept of unit construction, where the
engine and gearbox were combined in one piece rather than as separate
components. The BSA C15 'Star' was the first unit construction model and proved
more reliable and economical than its predecessor, the BSA C11.
The engine had an iron barrel and alloy head with overhead
valves operated by pushrods which ran in a separate tube to fully enclosed
rockers. The camshaft was geared directly to the crankshaft which had skew gears
driving a shaft with the points at the top and the oil pump at the bottom. The
alternator was to the left and the primary drive was via a duplex chain to a
multi plate clutch. The four speed gearbox was at the rear of the vertically
split crankcase. The frame was single loop with twin rails under the engine and
pivoted fork rear suspension, and both wheels were 17 inch with full width cast
iron hubs. An oil tank was under the seat on the right matched by a toolbox on
the left. Between them was an ignition switch panel hiding the battery. The
headlamp was fitted in a nacelle which also housed the instruments and switches
as was fashionable at the time. Deeply valanced mudguards were fitted to the
standard model, making it look heavier than it actually was.
The C15 also had a completely redesigned frame and the 250 cc C15 engine also exploited an advantage of being the biggest capacity motorcycle a learner rider in the UK could use before passing a motorcycle driving test.
The BSA C15 did, however, require careful maintenance and as well as oil leaks and electrical faults there were problems with the gearbox, failures of the valve gear, weak big-end and problems with the adjustment of the clutch. Originally, the distributor sprouted from above the R/H side of the gearbox; but in 1965 the distributor was moved to the left side of the engine.
During 1967 the 250 cc C15 was replaced by the BSA B25 'Starfire' and BSA C25 'Barracuda' models, which had a quickly detachable rear wheel and 12 volt lights. The engine was also increased in capacity to 441cc develop the BSA B44 Shooting Star and the BSA Victor Special.
Make Model | BSA C15, C15SS, C15T, C15S |
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Year | 1958 - 67 |
Engine Type | Four stroke, single cylinder, OHV |
Displacement | 249 cc / 15.2 cub in. |
Bore X Stroke | 67 x 70 mm |
Compression | C15, C15T: 8.0:1 C15SS: 8.75:1 C15S: 10.0:1 |
Cooling System | Air cooled |
Oil Capacity | C15, C15SS: 2.25 L / 4.76 US pints C15T, C15S: 2.75 L / 5.8 US pints |
Carburetor | Amal |
Exhaust | Single, steel, chrome |
Starting | Kick start |
Spark Plug | C15, C15T: Champion N5, gap 0.020 in. C15SS: Champion N4, gap 0.020 in. C 15S: Champion N3, gap 0.020 in. |
Battery Capacity | 13 Ah |
Max Power | 11 kW / 15 hp @ 5000 rpm |
Clutch | 4 Friction plates |
Transmission | 4-Speed |
Final Drive | C1C5, C15SS: Chain, 112 pitches C15T, C15S: Chain, 123 pitches |
Gear Ratios | C15: 1st 15.98 / 2nd 10.53 / 3rd 7.66 / 4th 5.98:1 C15SS: 1st 12.63 / 2nd 9.91 / 3rd 7.19 / 4th 5.98:1 C15T: 1st 28.53 / 2nd 22.05 / 3rd 14.67 / 4th 9.0:1 C15S: 1st 19.0 / 2nd 14.94 / 3rd 10.8 / 4th 9.0:1 |
Frame | Single loop with twin rails under engine |
Steering Head Angle | C15, C15SS: 65° C15T, C15S: 63° |
Steering Lock Angle | C15, C15SS: 50° C15T, C15S: 60° |
Front Wheel Travel | 127 mm / 5 in |
Rear Suspension | Pivoted fork |
Rear Wheel Travel | 63 mm / 2.5 in. |
Front Wheel | C15, C15SS: WM1-17 C15T, C15S: WM1-20 |
Rear Wheel | C15, C15SS: WM2-17 C15T, C15S: WM3-18 |
Front Tire | C15, C15SS: 3.25 x 17 in. C15T, C15S: 3.00 x 20 in. |
Rear Tire | C15, C15SS: 3.25 x 17 in. C15T, C15S: 4.00 x 18 in. |
Front Brake | 6.5 in., drum |
Rear Brake | 6.5 in., drum |
Dimensions | Length: C15, C15SS: 1981 mm / 78.0 in. C15T, C15S: 2045 mm / 80.5 in. Width: C15: 660 mm / 26 in. C15SS: 686 mm / 27 in. C15T, C15S: 800 mm / 31.5 in. Height: C15: 940 mm / 37 in. C15SS: 914 mm / 36 in. C15T: 1067 mm / 42 in. C15S: 1054 mm / 41.5 in. |
Wheelbase | C15, C15SS: 1308 mm / 51.5 in C15T, C15S: 1314 mm / 51,75 in. |
Ground Clearance | C15, C15SS: 127 mm . 5 in. C15T: 191 mm / 7.5 in. C15S: 178 mm / 7 in. |
Seat Height | C15, C15SS: 762 mm / 30 in. C15T: 838 mm / 33 in. C15S: 813 mm / 32 in. |
Dry Weight | C15, C15SS: 127 kg / 280 lbs C15T, C15S: 120 kg / 265 lbs |
Fuel Capacity | C15: 11.5 L / 3.0 US gal C15SS: 13.6 L / 3.6 US gal C15T, C15S: 9.4 L / 2.5 US gal |
Source | Wikipedia |