1964 BSA A65
NEW MODELS
The 1964 BSA A65 was, of course, the third model year of the new unit construction BSA twins, the 500cc A50, and the 650cc A65, which had replaced the very successful pre-unit A7 (500) &
A10 (650) in 1962.
BSA was very conservative in the new machine's configuration, as was their style. The
1962 BSA A65 Star was joined in 1963 by a tuned version (higher performance), the 1963 BSA A65 Rocket. In 1965, the Rocket sprouted 2 carburetors & became the
'65 BSA A65 Lightning.
1964 BSA A65 ENGINE WORK
As would be expected from any second-year model, following such a major engine redesign, there were teething problems. It was more of a complete redesign actually, with virtually no shared components with the engine it replaced, unlike Triumph who carried the crankshaft, cams & entire top end over from pre-unit to unit in 1963. The new
BSA twin really was
new, and there was much to learn. Early A65s used a bushing to support the crankshaft on the timing side, and the oil that fed the crankshaft ran through it. While not as much of a problem on the underpowered 500cc A50s, it proved to be the Achilles Heel of the more powerful
BSA A65. It would wear out quickly, which would starve the crank, and thus the big end bearings, for oil, ultimately leading to a catastrophic engine failure, usually in the form of a broken connecting rod or a broken crank or both. The pre-unit A7 and A10 also used a similar bushing on the timing-side main, and it too was known to be an area of weakness.
So, why did BSA do it? Cost-savings, no doubt.
1964 BSA A65 & A50 VERY SIMILAR
BSA, in an another awkward attempt at saving money, built two bikes, in two different displacement classes, out of one bike. The 500cc A50 and the 650cc A65 were essentially mechanically the same in every respect with the exception of the pistons, cylinders & heads, and the front brake. The A50 had a 7-inch SLS and the A65 had an 8-incher, another crude attempt at saving money that made no sense at all. Despite the A50 being down on power, when compared to the A65, it weighed virtually the same, and needed just as much braking power to stop it, at any given speed.
1964 BSA A65 FAILS TO LIGHT FIRES
Even by 1964 standards, the
BSA A65 was looking pretty staid and conservative. This is the year Triumph introduced their exciting new line of unit-construction 650 twins & they were selling like hotcakes. But
BSA's new unit twins failed to excite buyers. Not even as well as the pre-unit models they replaced. The market that they had been built for, the same market that BSA had built its entire business on, the cost-conscious commuter, was going away, and being replaced by people who saw motorcycling as an exciting lifestyle. The new
Triumph line certainly fit the bill, and so did all these wild new Japanese bikes that had just begun flooding the marketplace. Would
BSA respond, and make adjustments? Not hardly. It was business as usual, building the same bikes they always had for the same type of buyer, whether he still existed or not.
1964 BSA A65 - STEADY DEVELOPMENT
Either way,
BSA continued to develop and refine its unit construction twins, and they steadily got better & better, the
A65 turning into a very fine motorcycle.
1964 BSA A65 SPECIFICATIONS
A65 Star Twin A65 Royal Star Engine type Displacement Bore & Stroke Compression Carburetor(s) Ignition Engine output Primary drive Clutch Gearbox Ratios, overall: 1st, bottom 2nd 3rd 4th, top Final drive Frame type Wheelbase Seat height Ground clearance Suspension, front Suspension, rear Brake, front Brake, rear Tire, front Tire,rear Fuel Capacity Curb weight
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Standard Roadster Premium Roadster Air-cooled OHV vertical twin 654cc 75mm X 74mm 9.0:1 Amal Monobloc, 1-1/8" Breakers & coils, Lucas 38 bhp @ 5800 rpm Triplex chain Multi-plate, wet 4-speed constant-mesh, right-foot shift
11.1:1 7.18:1 5.13:1 4.35:1 Chain Welded & brazed lug, full double cradle 54" 33" 7" Telescopic fork, hydraulic damping Swing arm, 2 Girling dampers 8"SLS drum 7" SLS drum 3.25" X 18" Dunlop 3.50" X 18" Dunlop 2.4 gal (US models); 4.8 gal (UK & export) 406 lbs
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MORE BSA PAGES:
BSA Motorcycles
..... BSA Gold Star
..........1939
..........1953
..........1954
..........1961
..........1962
..... BSA A7 (pre-unit 500)
..........1952
..........1955
..... BSA A10 (pre-unit 650)
..........1951
..........1954
..........1957
..........1958
..... BSA A65 (unit-construction 650)
..........1962
..........1963
..........1964
..........1965
..........1966
..........1967
..........1968
..........1969
..........1970
..........1971
..... BSA Rocket 3 (750 triple)
..........1969
..........1971
..... BSA Bantam
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BSA Motorcycles: The Final Evolution


The BSA Gold Star: Motorcycle History


Illustrated Bsa Buyer's Guide (Motorbooks International Illustrated Buyer's Guide)


Bsa Twin Restoration


BSA Unit Singles: The Complete Story including the Triumph Derivatives


Bsa Motor Cycles: Since 1950 (British Motor cycles since 1950)


BSA Unit Twins


BSA 500 & 650 Twins: The Essential Buyer's Guide


Triumph and Bsa Triples


How to Restore Triumph Trident T150/T160 & BSA Rocket III: YOUR step-by-step colour illustrated guide to complete restoration (Enthusiast's Restoration Manual)
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