Vishal Agarwal, a Bangalore based motorcycle enthusiast, has a thing for retro motorcycles, and one of his prized possessions, a BSA Bond 50, recently caught our attention. An avid collector, Vishal owns as many as 20 classic motorcycles. His garage comprises three Yamaha RD 350s, a Royal Enfield Silver Plus, a Royal Enfield Explorer and a 1977 Royal Enfield Bullet to name a few.
The BSA Bond 50 entered Vishal’s collection about half a decade ago and took a year and a half to get back in its prime shape. The long duration to restore the retro-classic was primarily due to a shortage of spare parts for the motorcycle. However, his hard work paid-off and nearly one and a half year and INR 40,000 later, the BSA Bond 50 was up and running on the streets of Bangalore.
The BSA Bond 50 is in stock form. Apart from the Papaya Orange paint, which has replaced the motorcycle’s original shade, there are no cosmetic or mechanical upgrades to this rare retro-classic. The graphics, too, have been retained from the original styling with the BSA branding on the side panel and “Bond” printed on the fuel tank.
The motorcycle features compact styling and retro elements like a round headlight with a black surround, orange coloured covers for the blinkers, and rectangular tail light. Behind the headlight is a single-pod instrument console. Chrome bits are rare, limited to the front fender, exhaust and the blinker housings. Wire-spoked wheels further enhance the BSA Bond’s retro-classic character.
One of the noted features on the BSA Bond 50 is its rear suspension. The BSA Bond 50 was one of the first motorcycles to feature a monoshock rear suspension, and the setup has been retained on Vishal’s motorcycle. At the front, there's a conventional telescopic suspension with black dust rubber cover.
A tall-set handlebar and a well-cushioned seat are aimed to deliver upright and comfortable ergonomics.
The engine, a 49.93cc, air-cooled, two-stroke, single-cylinder motor, has been retained in the stock form. It is coupled to a four-speed gearbox.
Overall, the restoration process by Vishal Agarwal is commendable and deserves a round of applause for his BSA Bond 50. We wish him many happy miles on his prized possession.
