# BSA C11 > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/BSA_C11 > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/BSA_C11.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BSA_C11 > Source revision: 1301315259 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{Short description|British motorcycle}} {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2017}} {{Use British English|date=January 2017}} {{Infobox Motorcycle |name=BSA C11 |image=BSA C 11 (250 cc) 1955.jpg |image_size=250px |aka= |manufacturer=[BSA](/source/Birmingham_Small_Arms_Company) |parent_company= |production= 1939-1956 |predecessor= BSA C10 |successor= [BSA C12](/source/BSA_C12) |class= |engine= 249cc [OHV](/source/overhead_valve) [single-cylinder engine](/source/single-cylinder_engine) |wheelbase= |length= |width= |height= |seat height= |power= 12 bhp |torque= |dry weight= |fuel_capacity= |fuel_economy= |transmission=Duplex primary chain }} The '''BSA C11''' is a British [motorcycle](/source/motorcycle) manufactured by [Birmingham Small Arms Company](/source/Birmingham_Small_Arms_Company) (BSA) at their factory in Armoury Road, [Small Heath](/source/Small_Heath%2C_Birmingham), [Birmingham](/source/Birmingham), between 1939 and 1956. Actor [Steve McQueen](/source/Steve_McQueen) owned a 1951 BSA C11. ==Development== The BSA C11 was a pre-unit single-cylinder developed before the [Second World War](/source/Second_World_War) from the sidevalve C10. Fitted with overhead valves and displacing 249cc, the C11 was launched in 1939 and continued to be developed into the 1950s.{{cite web|url=http://www.realclassic.co.uk/newsfiles/news08052200.html|title=The BSA C Model Group|accessdate=2009-10-25|archive-date=11 October 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081011043225/http://www.realclassic.co.uk/newsfiles/news08052200.html|url-status=dead}} The C11 frame was improved in 1951 when BSA added plunger rear suspension. ==Military W-C11== Although British armed forces only used a few BSA C11s as lightweight transport (having selected instead the [BSA M20](/source/BSA_M20)) in 1940 530 C11s were ordered in military specification by the [Office of the High Commission of India](/source/High_Commission_of_India_in_London). Modifications for war use included a rear carrier over the mudguard, an additional air filter on the fuel tank and a mag dyno in place of the coil.{{cite book|last=Orchard|first=C. J.|author2=Madden S.J.|title=British Forces Motorcycles 1925 - 45|publisher=Suton Publishing Ltd|date=1997|isbn=0-7509-1445-9}} ==BSA C11G== thumb|right|A 1955 BSA C11G Problems with the gearboxes were addressed by the model C11G, which was available either with a three speed gearbox and a rigid frame or with a four speed gearbox in the plunger frame. The C11G also had improved front brakes and became popular as a post war commuter motorcycle.{{cite web|url=http://www.bsansw.org.au/history.htm|title=BSA Post World War II|accessdate=2009-10-25|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20091014221838/http://www.bsansw.org.au/history.htm|archivedate=14 October 2009|url-status=dead}} ==Steve McQueen's C11== Actor [Steve McQueen](/source/Steve_McQueen) owned a 1951 BSA C11. Painted in British racing green, McQueen's C11 had a chrome tank with green and gold accents and chrome wheels with green spokes.{{cite web|url=http://www.cybermotorcycle.com/euro/brands/bsa.htm|title=Steve McQueen's C11|accessdate=2009-10-25| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20091110181158/http://www.cybermotorcycle.com/euro/brands/bsa.htm| archivedate= 10 November 2009 | url-status= live}} After McQueen's death the C11 was kept by his wife Barbara for many years before being sold by auction.{{cite web|url=http://www.motorcycleclassics.com/found-on-ebay/mcqueenbsa.aspx|title=Steve McQueen's 1951 BSA C11|accessdate=2009-10-25}} ==BSA C12== {{Main|BSA C12}} From 1956 the C11 was replaced with the [BSA C12](/source/BSA_C12) which had the same 249cc overhead valve engine in a modern frame with good suspension, more efficient brakes and a more comfortable seat. A number of engine modifications also made it more reliable than the C11. The BSA C12 was in turn replaced by the [BSA C15](/source/BSA_C15) in 1958. ==References== {{reflist}} {{BSA motorcycles|state=collapsed}} C11 Category:Motorcycles introduced in the 1930s Category:Single-cylinder motorcycles [http://bsac10c11c12.co.uk BSA C10 C11 C12 Forum] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220706231858/https://bsac10c11c12.co.uk/ |date=6 July 2022 }} --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [BSA C11](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BSA_C11) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BSA_C11?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.