Property of a deceased's estate, 1957 BSA 650cc A10 Spitfire Scrambler

• Imported from the USA in 2013
• Only one owner in the UK
• Restored and sympathetically improved
• Requires recommissioning

BSA's US-market Scrambler 650 twin was launched in 1957 and swiftly renamed Spitfire Scrambler. High-rise handlebars, knobbly tyres, upswept exhaust pipes and a smaller fuel tank distinguished the desert-racer from its roadster cousins, while inside the engine there were high-compression pistons and bigger valves.

The accompanying BSA Owners Club Dating Certificate confirms the machine displaying the frame and engine numbers listed above is a 650cc A10 Spitfire Scrambler despatched to Hap Alzina in Oakland, California, USA on 28th August 1957. The frame was changed while the machine was in the USA, a not unusual occurrence for a motorcycle subjected to fast off-road use. It has been stamped with the engine number, as some states at that time required the frame and engine numbers to match. This was done prior to the Utah Certificate of Title being issued in 1996. The machine is still fitted with the original engine.

Imported from the USA in December 2013, this Spitfire Scrambler has belonged to the late owner - its sole UK registered keeper - since January 2017. (The gov.uk MoT log lists the machine as registered on 31st December 1957.) The BSA was first registered in the UK on 17th January 2018.

Maintenance Log (on file):

• 16 02 2018 – total rebuild: engine, forks, front wheel, new exhaust, seat, oil filter, chronometric clocks
• 3 04 2018 – oil change
• 12 05 2018 – SCT2 gearbox destroys itself. Richard Clamp repairs under extended warranty
• 20 06 2018 – oil change
• 29 06 2018 – primary chain snapped, new Regina chain fitted
• 26 07 2019 – rocker box tighten ad valve clearances - all tight
• 16 10 2020 – Drain oil for the year
• 20 07 2021 – Oil and filter

Additional documentation supplied:

• Current V5C Registration Certificate (listing 0 former keepers)
• 2018 DVLA application to register a vehicle – with numberplate authorisation certificate
• 2014 NOVA reference
• US Title (previously owned by one R Brinkerhoff of Salt Lake City)
• BSA Owners Club Vehicle Report
• 2013 Bill of Sale (Utah State Tax Commission). Sold by R Brinkerhoff of Salt Lake City
• 2014 Bill of Sale (Utah State Tax Commission). Sold by Utah Vintage Cycles to a P Cole
• 2014 Schumacher Cargo shipping and customs clearance invoices (P Cole)
• Early 2017 online auction purchase invoice for £5,500

This motorcycle has not been run or maintained for approximately a year and will therefore require recommissioning to a greater or lesser extent. As such, it is being sold strictly as seen.

It was restored and carefully enhanced by its late owner, a retired aircraft engineer who worked on the Tornado with BA(E) and later served as Chief Engineer on the Nimrod at RAF Kinross. His high standard of precision engineering is clearly reflected in both the detailed maintenance log and the meticulous workmanship evident throughout the motorcycle. Until relatively recently, the motorcycle was regularly started, maintained, and kept in riding condition, and represents a rare opportunity to own a well maintained example of BSA's iconic, powerful and rugged off-roader, capturing the spirit of desert racing and scrambles motorcycles from the golden age of off-road motorcycling. Offered with a selection of useful spares including bash guard, gearbox shell, footpegs, levers and sundry components. Key not required.