BSA

[Allred]

The UK version was called the BSA 441 Victor Shooting Star.

They were known colloquially as the BSA Shooting Shitheap. They would knock the bottom ends out on a regular basis. I rebuilt several myself.

Basically a 250cc C15 bottom end with a 441 top end, the crank was over stressed. The C15 was stressed enough when in SS80 form, (the sport version of the 250cc C15) it didn't stand a chance in 441 form.


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[Allred]

To many the epitome of a BSA is the 650 A10 Rocket Gold Star.

Produced at the end of the A10 run in 1962/63 it had 9:1 compression pistons, a high-lift 357 camshaft, a 1 5/32 Amal monobloc carburetor, optional siamese exhaust with a Gold Star muffler, alloy rims and clip-on handlebars. Could also be had with the Gold Star close-ratio RRT2 gearbox.

They produced 46-50rwhp depending on exhaust and every one I saw was finished in silver-gray and chrome.

A buddy of mine had one, it had a tasseled seat and front and rear crash bars........sounds a little over the top, but it actually looked fantastic!  

The truth was that BSA was readying for the release of the new A50/A65 and had a hodge-podge of spare parts that needed to be used up, the result was the Rocket Gold Star........at a 30% price increase! A sales maneuver to be proud of!


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[motogrady]

Allred wrote

The UK version was called the BSA 441 Victor Shooting Star.

They were known colloquially as the BSA Shooting Shitheap. They would knock the bottom ends out on a regular basis. I rebuilt several myself.

Basically a 250cc C15 bottom end with a 441 top end, the crank was over stressed. The C15 was stressed enough when in SS80 form, (the sport version of the 250cc C15) it didn't stand a chance in 441 form.


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I went thru high school with a guy who had a 250.  It might have been a Triumph.  
Effin muffler was the size of a suitcase.  But, fact remains, he rode that thing almost every day to and from school. For at least 2 years.  Early 70s.  And really, I don't ever remember him having any issue with it.

Interesting info on the 441.  

A bit before my time, but BSA was a player in the dirtbike scene.
Here's a legend, Jeff Smith, 2 time Motocross World Champion, I think 65/66, giving a glimpse of what once was.

https://youtu.be/VDVjM25DzUk

[Allred]

motogrady wrote

I went thru high school with a guy who had a 250.  It might have been a Triumph.  
Early 70s.  And really, I don't ever remember him having any issue with it.

If it was a Triumph TR25W (the only 250 "Triumph" of the time) it was a BSA under the badge. Basically a BSA 250cc C15 motor........but, by then they had dumped the roller bearing crankshaft for a new, much stronger shell bearing journal.

The C15 had a roller bearing crank, and even in original 15 bhp it was known for its weak bottom end (it was in fact based on the similar Triumph 200 Tiger Cub engine, which also was known for its weak crank) The tuned SS80 (22bhp I think) had a beefier roller crank but still susceptible to bottom end failure. In the late 60s they beefed up the crank some more, but by this time they were increasing the capacity to 441 which was asking a lot of such an old design. The problem wasn't solved until the introduction of the plain bearing shell crankshaft.

[Fatfatboy]

m143 wrote

With all the talk of BSA's around here lately lets give them their own spot.

The centerfold of the AMA mag. this month.

This is a cool thread.

There is a guy on BSA Motorcycle Owners of North America FB page that has a hillclimber BSA. It's an A70 bumped up to 800cc and is fuel injected. Says it drips fuel out the exhaust at idol.







I'm sure I'd would get a kick and a giggle hearing that thing blasting up a hill.

[Fatfatboy]

motogrady wrote

The tickler thing, ha, I had an orange montesa for a bit, Amal carb maybe, had the tickler button.
Effin petrol would go everywhere!lol

This Beezer I got from Keith is the first tickler I've ever owned. I like it. Gives a sorta connection to the waking up the machine that I don't get out of my push the button and go bikes.


My carb seeps fuel at the bowl to body connection. Makes the garage smell like an old bike shop which isn't a bad thing but the wife parks her car in the same garage. I half thought about getting a Mikuni but I want to tickle the thing so I've ordered a rebuild kit instead.

[Allred]

Okay, without looking at your phone, or googling it, right off the top of your head, do you know what B.S.A stands for?

No cheating, admit it if you don't know.

[Fatfatboy]

Allred wrote

Fast forward 10 years to a 1968 BSA 650 A65 Spitfire MK IV.

BSA introduced a brave, new, bulbous styling in 1962 with their 500cc A50 and 650cc A65 models. (This one sports a pair of aftermarket "Ace" handlebars).



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 That is an ugly tank. I could see why a guy would want one if traveling to the outreaches but it is not near has good looking as the smaller chrome US tanks.

[Fatfatboy]

This here is the A50 that is for sale about 3 hours North of me that I've been considering.







He's asking $3k for it.

"It does leak oil. As the BSA advertisement says: if it doesn't leak bring it back so we can fix it till it does!"

[Allred]

Fatfatboy wrote

This Beezer I got from Keith is the first tickler I've ever owned. I like it. Gives a sorta connection to the waking up the machine that I don't get out of my push the button and go bikes.


My carb seeps fuel at the bowl to body connection. Makes the garage smell like an old bike shop which isn't a bad thing but the wife parks her car in the same garage. I half thought about getting a Mikuni but I want to tickle the thing so I've ordered a rebuild kit instead.

Good move FatFat, there is nothing wrong with an Amal Monobloc.

Check for wear in the main body where the main slide moves up and down, if there is excessive wear there air can get around the slide and the bike will never run right. (I've seen them so worn that the slide "clicks" loudly when the bike is running due to so much clearance!)

Also the needle jet can wear on high mileage machines.

Some owners remove the choke slide, I think it is a mistake, they are "essential" for cold starting.


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[m143]

Allred wrote

Okay, without looking at your phone, or googling it, right off the top of your head, do you know what B.S.A stands for?

No cheating, admit it if you don't know..

Bastard Stopped Again

[Allred]

Fatfatboy wrote

This here is the A50 that is for sale about 3 hours North of me that I've been considering.

He's asking $3k for it.

"It does leak oil. As the BSA advertisement says: if it doesn't leak bring it back so we can fix it till it does!"

I'm suprized that it has a sls front brake, although I do see many pics of that model year with sls, I guess the tls was an option?. And it looks to have a Amal Monobloc (can't really tell, from one side it looks like a concentric, from the other side it looks like a monobloc, pictures aren't hi-def enough)

Are we sure it's a 1969?

It's showing the passage of time, but it is 50+ year old.

The seat looks very "used".

I'm puzzled as to how those mufflers are attached? And they don't look to be OEM BSA.

Looks like some loose wiring under the bottom triple clamp?

Some side panel screws missing.

It shouldn't leak oil, both the A7/A10 and A50/A65 were pretty oil tight when assembled properly...........where is it leaking oil from? If it is leaking from the primary case, or the cylinder head area it is pretty easily fixed. (I would want to take the head and barrels off anyway, just to inspect the inside).

What did he say was the work recently done to it?????

I bet he would take $2,500 in a heartbeat.


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[Allred]

m143 wrote

Bastard Stopped Again

LOL....well that's better than Boy Scouts of America.................but...............

Is that an admission that you don't know?

[m143]

Birmingham Small Arms never made me giggle like that does.

[Allred]

m143 wrote

Birmingham Small Arms never made me giggle like that does.

Yes, firearms manufacturers before they were motorcycle manufacturers, and so first prize goes to m143 (the check's in the mail)


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[Allred]

Dick Mann's BSA Rocket III on which he won the 1971 Daytona 200.

A heavily modified frame, suspension, brakes and exhaust, the only thing identifiable with the street bike was the engine, and it was heavily massaged with a 26hp increase over the original from 58hp to 84hp.


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[Allred]

Or if offroad is your thing, how about this gorgeous twin-carb special BSA A10 Scrambler?



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[Allred]

1971 BSA Fury............what were they thinking!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


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[oldironnow]

That Daytona BSA is a good lookin' bike.

[oldironnow]

Allred wrote

1971 BSA Fury............what were they thinking!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


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Fury, Blurry, Bury

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BSA_Fury