These notes are compiled from several sources and attempt to piece together the history of the Victor series, unfortunately the variations of East Coast / West Coast and US / UK models makes the accuracy murky at times. I look to you the reader, to help me correct and remedy any mistakes and omissions.


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

















































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HISTORY

1964 C15T TRIALS CAT
Jeff Smith's overbore C15 takes the 500cc World Moto-Cross Championship and holds the title for two years. His lightweight machine with a large engine rivals the worlds best 500's and Small Heath is under pressure to deliver a production version of his machine. From his "works" machine, the 441 cc Victor Scrambler is produced.

 

1965 B44 GP GRAND PRIX
With 441 cc displacement and a hard-chrome plated alloy barrel, this 90 mm stroke machine establishes the Victor line. In the UK the B44 VS Victor Scrambler is released.
The Scrambler is distinguished by a squared-barrel and an Amal Concentric.
Note that Smith's machine was a "works" machine, it sported

  • a 7" rear brake
  • 20" front wheel
  • Reynold 531 tube frame
  • a weight of 225 lb.

These specs were too costly to reproduce in "production" models, although a few replicas are known.

 

1967 C25 BARACUDDA / VICTOR ENDURO / VICTOR SPECIAL / VICTOR ROADSTER
While the C25 Barracuda only displaces 247 cc, it sports the Victor crankcase and a squared-fin barrel. Both the VE and VS sport high-pipes for scrambles.

 

1968 B44 VS VICTOR SPECIAL and B44 SS SHOOTING STAR
While the B44 VS continues it's dual-purpose role, a street version is released as the B44 SS Shooting Star. The GP and Enduro are discontinued. The Victor Special and Shooting Star will remain in the lineup until BSA final days in 1970.


1971 B50T VICTOR 500 TRAIL
The Victor engine is now struggling to fight off the Japanese and much of the style of the previous lines is gone, it is now an import fighter and a "modern machine".

 

 

 

 

 

 

MODEL CHANGES

FRAME
'67 - uses a C15 trials frame with duplex tubes.
'68 - extra lugs and brackets are added
'69~'70 - faring mounting tubes are welded to the fork headstock.

 

TAP
Same as the '62 C25 is used on the B40E / B44VE / B44VS for '67~'70.
the B44GP uses a taper cock like the Goldstar.

 

TANK
All three years see the hallmark polished alloy and yellow tank. In '70 a polished cap is used.

 

BADGES
A number of configurations are used, from East to West Coast and between domestic and US models. I am designing a separate page to
reference each year/model and your help is greatly appreciated.

 

SPEEDO
With a 12.5:1 ratio box, the speedo has a unique mounting bracket in '67 which is standardized to the common plate in `68.

 

OIL TANK
While the '67 sports an oval tank, the '68~'69 sees the rectangular lines. The US version has a 1/4 turn cap versus the screw-on UK cap.

 

ALTERNATOR
'67~'68 uses the RM19 and the `69 uses the RM21.

UNDERSHEILD
Varied on the B44VS from '67 to the version on the '68 ~'70 models.

 

SIDE PANELS
In '68~'70, panels on both sides were added, while '67 had only a left side panel.

 

FRONT HUBS
1967 - 7" front brake and common hub with the B40E / B44VE / B44VR.
1968 - 8" brake introduced on the same hub.


REAR HUBS
Starting in 1967, all years saw the QD, crinkle hub.