BSA Spitfire: Difference between revisions
cleanup, rewrite some copyvio, sub headings, del 'street racer' + financial trouble + range - irrelevant, del twin tube frame- irrelevant, was new 63 for A65 not 66 for Spitfire refs for UK spec only |
extra para for racing extras, added more specs in infobox from one-source cited in infobox |
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|engine= {{Convert|654|cc|abbr=on}} [[air cooled]] [[four stroke]], [[parallel twin]], [[OHV]], 2 valves per cylinder, 2 [[Amal (carburettor)|Amal]] 10GP2 carburettors |
|engine= {{Convert|654|cc|abbr=on}} [[air cooled]] [[four stroke]], [[parallel twin]], [[OHV]], 2 valves per cylinder, 2 [[Amal (carburettor)|Amal]] 10GP2 carburettors, five pints of oil |
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|wheelbase=56 inches |
|wheelbase=56 inches |
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|brakes=190mm (7.5 inches) front, 180mm (7 inches) rear |
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|suspension=BSA telescopic front fork with two-way damping, [[Lucas Industries#Girling| Girling]] rear shock absorbers with three-position spring adjustment |
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The bike was supplied as a sports-tourer with raised handlebar, forward-mounted rider footrests, a large dual seat, and the glass-fibre fuel tank and side panels covering the oil tank and battery/tools<ref name="Motor Cycle"/> were finished in ''Peony Red''<ref name="Motor Cycle advert">[[The Motor Cycle|Motor Cycle]], 21 April, 1966. ''BSA factory advert''. Accessed 2013-06-28</ref>. The UK Spitfire had a conventional four gallon tank<ref name="Motor Cycle"/>, with a large five gallon option from 1967.<ref name="hsw" /> |
The bike was supplied as a sports-tourer with raised handlebar, forward-mounted rider footrests, a large dual seat, and the glass-fibre fuel tank and side panels covering the oil tank and battery/tools<ref name="Motor Cycle"/> were finished in ''Peony Red''<ref name="Motor Cycle advert">[[The Motor Cycle|Motor Cycle]], 21 April, 1966. ''BSA factory advert''. Accessed 2013-06-28</ref>. The UK Spitfire had a conventional four gallon tank<ref name="Motor Cycle"/>, with a large five gallon option from 1967.<ref name="hsw" /> |
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A selection of factory extras were available to enable the model to enter Production Races, including a fairing and single racing seat.<ref name="Motor Cycle"/> |
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Two large-bore Amal GP carburetors with velocity stacks improved acceleration but made the Spitfire hard to kick start when the engine was hot, so owners chose to replace them with Amal concentric carburettors with more conventional round air filters and this became the factory supplied specification in 1967.{{Citation needed|date=May 2011}} Keen to boost sales in the US market BSA produced a special Spitfire with a two gallon fuel tank following the trend set by the [[Harley Davidson Sportster]]. |
Two large-bore Amal GP carburetors with velocity stacks improved acceleration but made the Spitfire hard to kick start when the engine was hot, so owners chose to replace them with Amal concentric carburettors with more conventional round air filters and this became the factory supplied specification in 1967.{{Citation needed|date=May 2011}} Keen to boost sales in the US market BSA produced a special Spitfire with a two gallon fuel tank following the trend set by the [[Harley Davidson Sportster]]. |
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Revision as of 00:55, 28 June 2013
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| Manufacturer | BSA |
|---|---|
| Predecessor | A65L Lightning |
| Engine | 654 cc (39.9 cu in) air cooled four stroke, parallel twin, OHV, 2 valves per cylinder, 2 Amal 10GP2 carburettors, five pints of oil |
| Power | 54 bhp (40 kW) (claimed) @ 6900 rpm[1] |
| Transmission | 4 Speed / chain |
| Suspension | BSA telescopic front fork with two-way damping, Girling rear shock absorbers with three-position spring adjustment |
| Brakes | 190mm (7.5 inches) front, 180mm (7 inches) rear |
| Wheelbase | 56 inches |
| Fuel capacity | 4 gallons (2 in the US export version) |
The BSA Spitfire was a high-performance BSA motorcycle made from 1966 to 1968. Based on the earlier BSA Lightning with a power-upgrade achieved by higher compression-ratio 10.5:1 pistons and two large-bore Amal GP carburettors with velocity stacks [1] it was one of the first BSAs to have 12-volt electrics.[2]At introduction in 1966, it was the fastest standard BSA ever produced and the fastest standard motorcycle tested by Motor Cycle with a best run at 123 mph and average of 119.2 mph[1]
Development
Spitfire MkII
The first A65S Spitfire of 1966 was confusingly designated MkII and had a number of new features including two-way damped front forks, Girling shocks and a brace [1] between the downswept exhaust pipes[3]. A 190mm front drum brake improved braking and lightweight alloy rims reduced the weight to 174 kg.[4]
The bike was supplied as a sports-tourer with raised handlebar, forward-mounted rider footrests, a large dual seat, and the glass-fibre fuel tank and side panels covering the oil tank and battery/tools[1] were finished in Peony Red[3]. The UK Spitfire had a conventional four gallon tank[1], with a large five gallon option from 1967.[2]
A selection of factory extras were available to enable the model to enter Production Races, including a fairing and single racing seat.[1]
Two large-bore Amal GP carburetors with velocity stacks improved acceleration but made the Spitfire hard to kick start when the engine was hot, so owners chose to replace them with Amal concentric carburettors with more conventional round air filters and this became the factory supplied specification in 1967.[citation needed] Keen to boost sales in the US market BSA produced a special Spitfire with a two gallon fuel tank following the trend set by the Harley Davidson Sportster.
Spitfire MkIII
The Mk111 was fitted with Amal Concentric carburettors when these were available during 1967
Spitfire MKIV
The 1968 MK1V Spitfire was the last made. Amal’s new Concentric carburettors were combined with twin-leading-shoe front brakes and independently adjustable Lucas ignition points for easier starting. Engine power output was increased to 53 bhp (40 kW).[citation needed] A total of 471 true 1968 model year Spitfires were produced, not counting the carryover 1967s converted to 1968 specs.[citation needed]
Gallery
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Spitfire MK IV at Birmingham National Motorcycle Museum -
Spitfire MK IV at Birmingham National Motorcycle Museum -
Close up of MK IV badge
See also
References
- ^ a b c d e f g Motor Cycle, 21 April, 1966. Road test Accessed 2013-06-28
- ^ a b "BSA Spitfire". Retrieved 2009-07-15.
- ^ a b Motor Cycle, 21 April, 1966. BSA factory advert. Accessed 2013-06-28
- ^ Classic Bike review accessed 2008-05-05