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BSA A65 Rocket, A65T/R and Lightning

"A65 Rocket"

Make Model	BSA A65Rocket
Model	BSA A65R and Lightning (European market) BSA A65T/R (US market)
Year	1964 - 66
Engine	Four stroke, parallel twin cylinder, OHV
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

"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.