The BSA Hornet was a British motorcycle made by BSA at their factory in Birmingham for export to the USA between 1964 and 1967.
Development
The BSA Spitfire Hornet ('64-'65) and Hornet ('66-'67) (and the 500cc BSA Wasp) were developed by BSA in 1964 as purpose built off road and desert racer motorcycles in response to demand from the US market for a 'stripped down' BSA Lightning with more power. Although they could be used on public roads, BSA Spitfire Hornets and Hornets were supplied without headlights or taillights, with 'straight through' exhaust pipes; high pipes (east coast model) and low TT pipes (west coast model) and twin carburettors.[2] The 6 volt coil 'ET' (energy transfer) ignition system was designed to include easy conversion to add lights for road use but the exhaust pipes needed to be fitted with mufflers to become road legal.[3] The 'Mandarin Red' Spitfire Hornet ('64-'65) was further upgraded in 1965 with a more positive gear selector and a quick change gearbox sprocket. Ignition was also improved, as was the lubrication system but customers complained of vibration. In '66 the name was changed to Hornet but still retained the Mandarin Red (looked like orange) color. In '67 the color was changed to a darker red 'Cherokee Red' and was the last production year for the Hornet.
The BSA Spitfire Hornet was a true racing motorcycle, with the A65 engine was upgraded with high compression pistons, and a performance cam. The gear ratios were altereed for sprint acceleration and the brakes (the 8inch model from the BSA Gold Star) were improved with special cooling fins.[2] Popular in the US the BSA Spitfire Hornet was not marketed in the UK, although the name was later used for the top selling BSA Spitfire road bike. For '66 and '67 the Spitfire Hornets name was changed to Hornet.[1]
[edit] Steve McQueen BSA Hornet road test
Actor Steve McQueen tested the BSA Hornet and described it as "a keen bike - but I found it awfully heavy". McQueen suggested that a lot more weight would have to be stripped off to make the bike competitive. He also noted that the Hornet also had a tendency to want to go its own way but had what he called a 'good-functioning' power train. He also suggested that if the front forks were raked on a more forward angle the BSA would have "a more stable ride in the rough and would be generally a smoother performer"
Manufacturer United Kingdom BSA, Birmingham
Also called A65-25PH; A65H; A65HA
Production 1964-67
Engine 654 cubic centimetres (39.9 cu in), OHV parallel twin
Top speed 102 miles per hour (164 km/h)
Power Approximately 53 horsepower
Transmission Four speed gearbox to chain final drive
Brakes Drum brakes
Tires Dunlop K70 Gold Seal
Wheelbase 56 inches (140 cm)
Seat height 32.5 inches (83 cm)
Weight 380 pounds (170 kg) (dry)
Fuel capacity 2 gallons
by http://www.flickr.com/photos/ronsaunders47/5722178724/
May 19, 2012
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I met a guy on Saturday who had owned the road version with 102000 miles on the clock!
via davekpcv
May 18, 2012
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I was on my way home from the grocery store and got stopped by what I thought was a funeral procession. Turned out to be about 1,000 motorcycles rolling through town. ;)
May 15, 2012
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第二屆台灣機車皇后選拔
Motorcycle Taiwan 2007 [ The 2nd Int'l Motorcycle Industry Show ]
Canon EOS 30D + Tamron SP AF 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II + Canon Speedlite 430EX
中華民國對外貿易發展協會主辦，台灣區車輛工業同業公會及中國經濟通訊社協辦的「2007年第二屆台灣國際機車產業展」，於今(2007)年5月18 日至20日假台北世貿三館舉辦。有別於國際知名的機車展覽會，這次的展覽具有「Via-Taiwan Service」、「Made by Taiwan」、「改裝零配件」以及「重型機車」4大特色。
資訊來源：台灣國際機車產業展覽會
http://203.66.210.64/motorcycletaiwan/chinese/overview/news_view.shtml ?docno=487
May 19, 2007
Photo by Yueh-Hua
May 10, 2012
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The BSA Lightning is a British motorcycle made by BSA at their factory in Birmingham between 1965 and 1972.
Development
The BSA Lightning was designed as the 'all-round' sportbike of the 1960s, planned largely for export to the US market to complement the touring BSA Thunderbolt and the supersports BSA Spitfire. Development of the engine aimed to make it more reliable, quieter and less prone to oil leaks, with top speed sacrificed to improve mid-range and rideability. With twin carburettors the A65L could still reach 108 mph (174 km/h), however. Improvements included an oil pressure warning light which had a tendency to malfunction, so riders learned to ignore it.[2]
A close ratio gearbox combined with a high kick camshaft made for lively acceleration and performance at higher rpm than the standard A65. The bottom gear was a bit high, however, so riders had to learn to slip the clutch up to 10 mph (16 km/h). Above 5000 rpm customers also complained about excessive vibration, with a tendency to weave above 90 mph (140 km/h). A useful feature was an 'emergency starting' key position for times when the battery was flat to connect the alternator current directly to the ignition coils.
In 1972 the BSA Group were in financial difficulties and in a last attempt to extend the brand life a new frame was developed for the A65L. As well raising the seat height to an impractical 33 inches (840 mm), it actually broke during testing at the MIRA test track, marking the end of one of the most successful range of British twin cylinder motorcycles.[3]
201 750cc versions, designated the A70L, were also produced in 1971 for American racing homologation purposes.
Manufacturer United Kingdom BSA, Birmingham
Also called A65L
Production 1965–1972
Engine 654 cc, OHV parallel twin
Top speed 110 mph (180 km/h)
Power 53 bhp (40 kW) @ 7,000 rpm
Transmission Four speed gearbox to chain final drive
Brakes drum brakes
Wheelbase 56 inches (1,400 mm)
Seat height 32.3 inches (820 mm)
Weight 395 lb (179 kg) (dry)
from ronsaunders47
May 08, 2012
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Another motorcyle cake. One of my favorite types of cakes to make.
source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/kimandashlee/
May 07, 2012
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Long Beach International Motorcycle Show.
Long Beach, CA
View Large
May 03, 2012
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