Everyone loves a good barn find. But the story behind this adorable BSA has a different twist: It?s a charity find.
When Hurricane Sandy tore through the Eastern seaboard of the United States in 2012, New York was hit hard. In an effort to help displaced residents in Far Rockaway, Brooklyn, the local motorcycle community came together, and held a fundraiser.

This BSA went under the hammer?and Brooklyn resident Tim Harney, took it home. “The bike was literally a pile of broken bolts and bent metal,” Tim tells us. “Hidden inside its warped cases, however, beat the heart of a 1951 BSA C11.”
With just 12 max horsepower and a top speed of around 45 mph (72 kph), the pile of parts did not look very enticing. ?But the idea of buying a generator with the proceeds of the sale, and supplying power to two city blocks, sounded great!? says Tim. So, with his pocket lightened to the tune of $500, the 250cc pre-unit British single became Tim?s new project bike.
With customer work keeping him busy, Tim couldn?t make the BSA his #1 priority. It just sat in his shop, getting a little bit of attention here and there, month after month. Then, years later, Tim suddenly found the incentive he needed.
“I was invited to show a bike at the Brooklyn Invitational,” he says. “The show is more gallery and less garage shop. Some say it spawned the modern ’boutique motorcycle show.’?

“Honored to be showing amongst industry legends, I kne...