LOT 567
1967 BSA 650cc A65 Firebird Scrambler Registration no. NAL 217E Frame no. A65 FA7910 (see text) Engine no. A65 FA7910
Sold for £5,980 inc. premium
Lot 567
1967 BSA 650cc A65 Firebird Scrambler Registration no. NAL 217E Frame no. A65 FA7910 (see text) Engine no. A65 FA7910
1967 BSA 650cc A65 Firebird Scrambler
Registration no. NAL 217E
Frame no. A65 FA7910 (see text)
Engine no. A65 FA7910
Registration no. NAL 217E
Frame no. A65 FA7910 (see text)
Engine no. A65 FA7910
BSA introduced their smooth-style series of A50/A65 engines in 1962. Known as the 'Power-Egg' the new 'square' engine was a dominant force in sidecar racing, both in the 500 and Unlimited Classes, especially when Chris Vincent – a techno-boffin at BSA's Small Heath factory – was at the helm! With its tidy-looking motor of 75mm bore/74mm stroke the 650 version provided strong competition to Triumph's Trophy and Bonneville models, grabbing an improved share of street-bike sales in the UK, and performing with great success on USA's fiercely competitive dirt circuits. In the event many thousands of A65s (and its A50 sibling) were sold in North America's booming market, although towards the end of that decade the Birmingham factory suffered a series of production delays, resulting in an output of far fewer machines than could have been sold. During the A65's ten-year production span the two main mechanical changes were i) an upgrade to 12-volt electrics and ii), a splaying of the inlet ports to accommodate twin-carburettors. With its 10: 1 CR for example the 50bhp Firebird was now comfortably positioned in the 100 mph bracket, de rigeur for all large capacity British twins.
BSA did not hold back in this period with their use of exciting model names, dipping into Met Office parlance with Cyclone, Lightning, and Thunderbolt. Their earlier 500cc unit-engine Wasp and 650cc Hornet had made a worthwhile mark in USA Desert Racing, prompting concerns to be raised that these under-equipped/race-ready bikes, which were not street-legal, were increasingly being ridden on the highway. These concerns led BSA to the genesis of the first ever Firebird, in late 1967, essentially a 'civilised' Hornet, but kitted in its crate with lights, silencers and road-spec tyres.
The Firebird was repatriated from USA in 1999. Following a 2001 restoration by Weedon Classics, it was purchased by the current vendor in 2002. Supplied as expected in exceptional condition; great care had been taken to ensure the BSA was presented as close as possible to catalogue specification. Thereafter it was enjoyably if sparingly ridden – but exclusively under sunny skies – until 2008, confirmed by the final tax disc. Not run since, but regularly turned-on-the-kick-start, the Firebird has been carefully dry-stored, but will now require a thorough re-commissioning before further use. The BSA is offered with a V5C, Roy Bacon Dating Certificate, plus a full set of keys. It should be noted that due to 'over-painting' the frame number is not visible.
This attractive Firebird is understood to have originated from a run of approximately 250 machines, the majority of which were exported; only a handful have subsequently returned to the UK.
BSA did not hold back in this period with their use of exciting model names, dipping into Met Office parlance with Cyclone, Lightning, and Thunderbolt. Their earlier 500cc unit-engine Wasp and 650cc Hornet had made a worthwhile mark in USA Desert Racing, prompting concerns to be raised that these under-equipped/race-ready bikes, which were not street-legal, were increasingly being ridden on the highway. These concerns led BSA to the genesis of the first ever Firebird, in late 1967, essentially a 'civilised' Hornet, but kitted in its crate with lights, silencers and road-spec tyres.
The Firebird was repatriated from USA in 1999. Following a 2001 restoration by Weedon Classics, it was purchased by the current vendor in 2002. Supplied as expected in exceptional condition; great care had been taken to ensure the BSA was presented as close as possible to catalogue specification. Thereafter it was enjoyably if sparingly ridden – but exclusively under sunny skies – until 2008, confirmed by the final tax disc. Not run since, but regularly turned-on-the-kick-start, the Firebird has been carefully dry-stored, but will now require a thorough re-commissioning before further use. The BSA is offered with a V5C, Roy Bacon Dating Certificate, plus a full set of keys. It should be noted that due to 'over-painting' the frame number is not visible.
This attractive Firebird is understood to have originated from a run of approximately 250 machines, the majority of which were exported; only a handful have subsequently returned to the UK.
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