BSA A65R, A65T/R and Lightning
"A65 Rocket"
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Make Model | BSA A65R and Lightning (European market) BSA A65T/R (US market) |
Year | 1965 - 66 |
Engine | OHV Parallel twin |
Capacity | 654 cc / 39.9 cub in. |
Bore x Stroke | 75 x 74 mm |
Carburetors | Amal monobloc 389/67 |
Cooling System | Air cooled |
Compression Ratio | 9.0:1 |
Lubrication | Dry sump |
Engine Oil | SAE 20W/50 |
Oil Capacity | 3 L / 5 pints / 0.79 US gal |
Exhaust | 2-into-1 |
Ignition | Twin coil |
Spark Plug | Champion N4 |
Battery | 2 x 12V, 10 a.h., Lucas RM19 |
Starting | Kick start |
Max Power | 35.8 kW / 49 hp @ 7000 rpm |
Clutch | Multi-plate with bult-in cush drive |
Transmission | 4 Speed |
Final Drive | Chain |
Gear Ratio | 1st 11.49 / 2nd 7.32 / 3rd 5.24 / 4th 4.58:1 |
Frame | Steel tubing, cradle |
Front Suspension | Telescopic forks with coil spring - hydraulically damped |
Rear Suspension | Coil spring/hydraulically damped |
Front Brakes | 20.32 cm / 8 in., drum |
Rear Brakes | 17.78 cm / 7In., drum |
Wheels | Steel, wire spokes |
Front Rim | WM2-18 |
Rear Rim | WM2-18 |
Front Tyre | 3.25 x 18 in., ribbed |
Rear Tyre | 3.50 x 18 in., K70 |
Dimensions | Length: 2060 mm / 81.0 in. Width: 711 mm / 28 in. Height: 1010 mm / 39.8 in. |
Wheelbase | 1370 mm / 54.5 in. |
Ground Clearance | 178 mm / 7.0 in. |
Seat Height | 813 mm / 32 in. |
Wet Weight | 177 kg / 397 lbs |
Fuel Capacity | Europe:18 L / 4.8 US gal US: 9 L / 2 US gal |
Average Consumption | 4.7 L/100 km / 21.3 km/l / 50 mpg |
Top Speed | 174 km/h / 108 mph |
Review | Wikipedia,Motorbike Search Engine |
"Thunderbolt"
The BSA A65R Rocket was one of a series of unit construction twin cylinder Birmingham Small Arms Company (BSA) motorcycles made in the 1960s. A version branded as the A65 'Thunderbolt Rocket' was aimed at the US market. The A65R Rocket was produced from 1964 but was stopped in 1965 when all development at BSA was halted by financial difficulties.
Development
The A65R was a development of the old model range led by Bob Fearon, Managing Director and General Manager of BSA and Chief Development Engineer Bert Perrigo they developed the unit construction Star twins. To make the A65R more of a 'sports version' of the original BSA A65 Star (and in anticipation of more stringent noise control legislation) it was given 'siamesed' 2 into 1 exhaust pipes with a special baffle, as well as chrome plated mudguards and headlight brackets. Able to cruise at 85 mph (137 km/h) and with a top speed of 108 mph (174 km/h) it was sold as the fastest BSA in production. A special version of the A65 branded as the A65T/R 'Thunderbolt Rocket' was aimed at the US market and featured high rise handlebars and a smaller fuel tank.
By 1965 competition from motorcycle producers such as Honda were eroding BSA's previously rising sales figures. BSA's marketing team was slow to respond and new motorcycle development contributed to substantial losses, so by 1972 the company was absorbed into Manganese Bronze Holdings in a rescue plan initiated by the Department of Industry. A plan to combine Norton, BSA and Triumph failed through poor industrial relations and the BSA factories closed.
Thunderbolt Review Fancy something different? Tired of the same old journeys to the coast, stuck in traffic jams, burning the clutch? Then treat yourself to an Ordnance Survey map, costing only a few shillings from H.M. Stationery Office. And a BSA Thunderbolt. It's unlikely you would get a Thunderbolt from the HMSO, but a visit to your local showroom is well worth while. As a combination, a good map and a fine bike will recapture the "good old days" of motorcycling when the re-strictions were few and the pleasures many. If you want superb motorcycling, try a BSA Thunderbolt.
Motorcyclist Illustrated, 1967 |