Women and Motorcycles

[Allred]

[Allred]

[m143]

With the motorcycle image flipped it’s too hard to enjoy the tattooing.

Allred wrote

[oldironnow]

m143 wrote

With the motorcycle image flipped it’s too hard to enjoy the tattooing.

It's built for the UK market.

[Allred]

m143 wrote

With the motorcycle image flipped it’s too hard to enjoy the tattooing.

I knew there was something wrong with that picture, just couldn't figure out what!!!! LOL.

There,........... fixed.

[Allred]

[m143]

[Allred]

Another fine picture of one of those A65 Beezas!

(extremely difficult to discern an A50 from an A65 at a distance, but the A50 had a 7" front brake drum and the A65 had an 8" front brake drum......so I think the above is an A65).

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[Allred]

[Allred]

[Fatfatboy]

Allred wrote

Another fine picture of one of those A65 Beezas!

(extremely difficult to discern an A50 from an A65 at a distance, but the A50 had a 7" front brake drum and the A65 had an 8" front brake drum......so I think the above is an A65).

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That is a nice one.


Not girl related,,,,

Allred,, I’ve recently came across a really nice A50 for sale and was wondering how the performance of the A50 stacked up against a A65.
Do you have any experience here?

[Allred]

Fatfatboy wrote

Not girl related,,,,

Allred,, I’ve recently came across a really nice A50 for sale and was wondering how the performance of the A50 stacked up against a A65.
Do you have any experience here?

My recollections of such things are from a bygone age, but here's what I remember............

Both the A50 and A65 in standard form are pretty low compression motors (8:1 I think) and are really nice, tractable motors and nice to ride. The standard 500 Star has around 28-32 rwhp and the standard 650 round 38rwhp, so neither are high speed machines, 90mph is probably the max for either, one probably getting there a little quicker.

Where the difference comes in is that the A65 has several variants (Thunderbolts/Lightnings/Spitfires, etc) that had increasingly larger power outputs, from 45rwhp to 52rwhp to 55rwhp, with compression ratios of  10.5:1 and high lift cams to achieve the higher top speeds expected from the buying public of the time (110mph/120mph/125mph). This not only strained the motor to limits its original design didn't foresee, it also made the machines much less tractable, increased vibration and made them less enjoyable as a daily rider, but fine for the youthful cafe racers.

The 500cc A50 didn't have the same buyer as its 650cc elder brother and so in standard "Star" form it remained a relatively docile but nice machine. It did have an increase in compression ratio and carburetor size a couple of years into production, but they were minor, just 9:1 compression and a 1" Amal which increased power output to around 32rwhp.
The only other 500 model was the Cyclone, which had twin carbs and a higher compression ratio. I never rode one of those but I can assume that while it may have had slightly more power it would not be as nice a bike to ride.

Bottom line.........from memory the 500cc A50 was a fine bike, nice temperament, fast enough for normal use (especially with its single-leading-shoe drum front brake!). Because it doesn't have the sporty reputation of its older brother the value of the 500s are much less than the 650, and also harder to sell, so bear that in mind if you are tempted to buy, you should be able to get it for a bargain price, but conversely it may not be that easy to sell when the time comes.


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[Fatfatboy]

Wow,,, great memory. Thanks for the plethora of information.

The bike in question is a ‘69 Royal Star in nice original condition with quite a bit of recent maintenance parts replaced, bearings, brakes cables and such.
His asking price is $3k. I’ve not seen any complete A50’s up for sale so don’t have anything to compare to.



Req. pic

[Allred]

Fatfatboy wrote

The bike in question is a ‘69 Royal Star in nice original condition with quite a bit of recent maintenance parts

A '69 will have the later Triumph/BSA twin leading shoe front brake, so that's a good thing, and probably has a concentric carb by then too? Early models suffered from worn timing-side crankshaft bearings, but these were upgraded to an improved phosphor bronze type for 1966.

I don't think you would be disappointed and should be able to get a nice example for around $3K-$5K depending on originality and condition.

[Allred]

[Allred]

[hacksaw]

the BSA picture back a page or two was an A65. not A50.
you tell by counting the fins. 10=A65 7=A50

the only real difference between them is the stroke. other wise the bikes are the same. you may find A50's with 18
" front wheels though.

most are royal stars allthough there were a few highr compression cyclones .

the A50 didnt vibrate as much as its longer stroke brother. you could likely get 90mph out of one allthough i never tried with mine.
A65's will top the ton and beyond.

unfortunately i dont have a pic of my A50. i sold it to the museum in rockland, ct.

[Allred]

hacksaw wrote

the only real difference between them is the stroke.

Hack, I'm pretty sure the A50 and A65 shared the same crank and rods, the 650 gaining its increased capacity through larger cylinder bores/pistons.

The A50's bore/stoke was 65.5mm x 74mm and the A65's 75mm x 74mm, making the 650 a very slightly  "over-square" motor, and the A50 a relatively "long stroke" motor.

Both A50 and A65 have very pleasing characteristics in basic "Star" form, it's only when you get to the later Spitfires, especially the MKII I think it was, armed with Amal GP carbs, 10.5:1 pistons and radical cam that things got a little too frantic!

[Allred]

[Allred]