# BSA Sloper > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/BSA_Sloper > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/BSA_Sloper.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BSA_Sloper > Source revision: 1291142093 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) Type of motorcycle BSA Sloper 1929 BSA Model S29 De Luxe SV 500cc Manufacturer BSA Production 1927-1935 Class Standard Engine 493 cc (30.1 cu in) OHV[1] Bore / stroke 80 mm × 98 mm (3.1 in × 3.9 in) Top speed 70–75 mph (113–121 km/h) (Super Sports version)[1][2] Frame type Duplex cradle Brakes Drum front & rear Linked front-rear from rear pedal. The **BSA S-Series**, most commonly known as the **BSA Sloper**, was a series of [motorcycles](/source/Motorcycle) produced by the [Birmingham Small Arms Company](/source/Birmingham_Small_Arms_Company) (BSA) of [Birmingham](/source/Birmingham), England, from 1927 to 1935. Launched in 1927, the motorcycle featured a slanted 493cc [overhead valve engine](/source/Overhead_valve_engine) and a saddle tank that enabled a low seating position, improving the centre of gravity and handling. It was designated as the new S-series, with an [engine capacity](/source/Engine_displacement) of 493cc for UK road tax reasons. The S-series designation applied to all BSA engines at the time with the same [bore](/source/Bore_(engine)) and [stroke](/source/Stroke_(engine)) regardless of whether the cylinder was sloped or vertical or if the engine had an overhead valve (OHV) or [side-valve](/source/Flathead_engine) (SV) configuration. However, *Sloper* became the term used by motorcyclists and hence adopted by BSA for marketing. The Sloper range remained much the same until its demise in 1935. Each model was designated with the two numbers of the year produced, hence the S31 was produced in 1931 and appeared in the BSA catalogue for that season. Thus in 1931, the standard OHV Sloper was S31-9, the De-Luxe was S31-10 while the side valve Sloper was S31-7.[1] The first models featured a 493cc (80x98mm) single ported cylinder-head, topped by a cast-aluminium enclosure for the rockers, with exposed valve springs.[1] Alongside the cast barrel were plated tubes to cover the pushrods. Easy cam contours and wide bases on the tappets ensured no associated valve clack, meaning that the Sloper was regarded by many as one of the smoothest and quietest of sporting 500cc machines. The large crankcase accommodated both a large and heavy flywheel, and a separate oil feed tank controlled by a hand meter.[1] Early models had a duplex-frame and three-speed gearbox, but soon the top tube was replaced by an I-frame forging to support a new steering head. By the 1929/30 the engine carried a twin-port head, and the OHV joined by a less-popular side-valve model; these models also had extra chrome. From 1932 all were equipped by a 4-speed gearbox.[1] From 1930 there was an optional sporting kit for £10, including a high-compression piston, hardened valves and springs, and a racing sparkplug, but the company noted that there were few buyers.[1] The model ceased production in 1935, by which time there were only two models, an overhead valve and a sidevalve, both of 595cc.[2] The large heavy flywheel and easy cams gave the Sloper a slow purposeful tick over, which was supplemented by large fishtail silencers. Its engine rhythm, together with its easy handling may have added to choice of its name. Cruising speed was 55 miles per hour (89 km/h), with a top speed of around 75 miles per hour (121 km/h).[1] ## See also - [List of motorcycles of the 1920s](/source/List_of_motorcycles_of_the_1920s) ## References 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Ayton_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Ayton_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Ayton_1-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-Ayton_1-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-Ayton_1-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-Ayton_1-5) [***g***](#cite_ref-Ayton_1-6) [***h***](#cite_ref-Ayton_1-7) C.J. Ayton. *Guide to Pre-War British Motorcycles*. Temple Press. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0600351408](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0600351408). 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Holliday1974_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Holliday1974_2-1) Holliday, Bob (1974), [*Motorcycle panorama: a pictorial review of design and development*](https://archive.org/details/motorcyclepanora0000holl/page/74), Newton Abbot, p. [74](https://archive.org/details/motorcyclepanora0000holl/page/74), [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-668-03647-4](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-668-03647-4) ## External links Wikimedia Commons has media related to [BSA Sloper](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:BSA_Sloper). - [BSA 1930s Motorcycles](https://www.bsa1930s.nl/) v t e BSA motorcycles Post-war motorcycles 750 cc A70 Lightning A75 Rocket 3 650 cc A10 series A10 Golden Flash A10 Road Rocket A10 Rocket Gold Star A10 Spitfire Scrambler A10 Super Flash A10 Super Rocket A65 Firebird Scrambler A65 Hornet A65 Lightning A65 Lightning Clubman A65 Lightning Rocket A65 Spitfire A65 Spitfire Hornet A65 Rocket A65 Star A65 Thunderbolt T65 Thunderbolt Unit twins 500 cc A7 A7S Star Twin A7SS Shooting Star A50 Cyclone A50 Royal Star A50 Wasp B33 B50MX Moto Cross B50SS Gold Star B50T Victor Trail BB34 Gold Star CB34 Gold Star DB34 Gold Star DBD34 Gold Star Gold Star Catalina M20 Unit twins ZB34 Gold Star 441 cc B 44 B44 Shooting Star B44 Victor Enduro B44 Victor GP B44 Victor Roadster B44 Victor Special 350 cc B31 B40 Star B40 Sportsman SS90 B40 WD BB32 Gold Star CB32 Gold Star DB32 Gold Star Fury ZB32 Gold Star 250 cc B25FS Fleetstar B25 Starfire B25SS Gold Star 250 B25T Victor Trail 250 C11 C12 C15 Star BSA C15 Sportsman SS80 C15 Starfire C25 Barracuda Sunbeam Two stroke Bantam Sunbeam Pre-war motorcycles 770 cc Model E 600 cc M33-10 M34-12 M34-13 500 cc M20 Q8 Empire Star Sloper W33-7 W33-8 Blue Star 350 cc Model L R5 Empire Star R33-5 Blue Star 250 cc B21 B22 Empire Star B33-3 Blue Star C11 Designers Doug Hele David Garside Bert Hopwood Val Page Edward Turner Other BSA Company BSA motorcycles Birmingham Small Arms Company List of BSA motorcycles Norton Villiers Triumph --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [BSA Sloper](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BSA_Sloper) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BSA_Sloper?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.