BSA Spitfire

For the BSA Spitfire Hornet, see BSA Hornet. For the BSA Spitfire Scrambler, see BSA Spitfire Scrambler.
BSA A65 Spitfire
BSA Spitfire MkIV
ManufacturerBSA Motorcycles Ltd
Parent companyBirmingham Small Arms Company
PredecessorA65L Lightning
Engine654 cc (39.9 cu in) air cooled four stroke, parallel twin, OHV, 2 valves per cylinder, 2 Amal 10GP2 carburettors, five pints of oil
Power54 bhp (40 kW) (claimed) @ 6900 rpm[1]
Transmission4 Speed, chain
SuspensionBSA telescopic front fork with two-way damping, Girling rear shock absorbers with three-position spring adjustment
Brakes190mm (7.5 inches) front, 180mm (7 inches) rear
Wheelbase56 inches
Fuel capacity4 gallons (2 in the US export version)
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The BSA Spitfire is a high-performance BSA motorcycle made from 1966 to 1968 with model designations of MkII, MkIII and MkIV. Announced at the Brighton motorcycle show held during September 1965,[2] it was 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.[3] 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] The Spitfire was used for travelling Marshalls' course duties at the 1967 Isle of Man TT races.[4]

  1. ^ a b c Motor Cycle, 21 April 1966. Road test Accessed 2013-06-28
  2. ^ Motor Cycle, 16 September 1965. p.390. Brighton Show. Bright'n Breezy. Range-by-range Review and Prices Accessed 2013-08-09
  3. ^ "BSA Spitfire". Retrieved 15 July 2009.
  4. ^ Motor Cycle 3 August 1967 p.1 BSA Spitfire Mk111 full-page Advertisement Accessed 2013-08-09