BSA Victor Roadster/Shooting Star
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Make Model | BSA Victor Roadster/Shooting Star |
Year | 1965 - 70 |
Engine | Single cylinder, 4-stroke,OHV, 2 valves |
Capacity | 441 cc / 26.9 cub in. |
Bore x Stroke | 79 x 90 mm |
Cooling System | Air cooled |
Compression Ratio | 9.4:1 |
Lubrication | Dry sump |
Oil Capacity | 2.25 L / 4 pints |
Exhaust | Single, stainless steel |
Ignition | Coil |
Battery | 12V |
Starting | Kick start |
Max Power | 21.9 KW / 30 hp @ 6500 rpm |
Clutch | Wet, multi-plate |
Transmission | 4-Speed |
Final Drive | Chain |
Frame | Tubular steel, cradle |
Front Suspension | Telescopic forks |
Rear Suspension | Swing arm, twin shock absorbers |
Front Brakes | 8 in., sls drum |
Rear Brakes | 7 in., sls drum |
Wheels | Steel, wore spokes |
Front Tyre | 3.25 x 18 in. |
Rear Tyre | 3.50 x 18 in |
Dimensions | Length: 2083 mm / 82 in. (From 1969: 2113 mm / 83.2 in. Width: 711 mm / 28 in. |
Wheelbase | 1321 mm / 52 in. From 1969: 1346 mm / 53 in. |
Ground Clearance | 190 mm / 7.5 in. |
Seat Height | 790 mm / 31 in. |
Wet Weight | 145 kg / 320 lbs |
Fuel Capacity | 8 L / 1.75 US gal |
Average Consumption | 3.1 - 4.3 L/100 km23 - 32 km/l / 55 - 75 mpg |
Top Speed | 145 km/h / 90 mph |
Colours | Cherokee red and chrome |
Source | Wikipedia, Motorcycle Classics |
In these days of 1,600cc — and bigger — road machines, it’s hard to believe the single-cylinder BSA 441 Shooting Star was actually described by a period magazine as a “touring mount.” Touring? On a 441cc single? My, how times have changed.
The truth is, by 1968, only the most committed Anglophile or thumper fan thought of BSA’s trusty single as a touring machine. Even if you did get it rolling up toward its potential top speed of 95mph, a velocity much higher than you’d expect out of such a small bike, the tingle from that single piston beating up and down at high revs would probably wear you out before you made it more than a few hundred miles.
But even so, 441cc was enough for a lot of people, and the BSA 441 Shooting Star single was considered one of the better machines to roll out from BSA’s Small Heath, England, factory.
Although the C15 got a cool reception here, it sold well in England and Europe. This was an era of increasing interest in trials and motocross racing, and the little single quickly proved itself a competent machine in offroad racing. Jeff Smith, one of England’s great motocross racers of the 1950s and 1960s, was a star rider for BSA, and his connection to the brand helped drive sales of the C15, and BSA’s smaller 2-stroke singles, as well. It was, in fact, Smith’s great popularity that helped launch the BSA 441 Victor and, a few years later, the BSA 441 Shooting Star. Sensing more opportunity, in 1967 BSA further expanded the model line by offering a road version, the B44VR Victor Roadster. U.S. dealers didn’t get the Roadster at first, however. Press Reports “The 441 single is a rare jewel of simplicity and a masterpiece of performance.” — Cycle, April 1968 |