BSA Motorcycles Hornet Scrambler 1966
Several BSA A65 models were designed for the US market.
The home market models began with the 1962 A65 Star that developed 38bhp and had a top speed of 100mph (161kph). It was upgraded in 1963 to the A65 Rocket with twin carburettors and that was followed the next year by the A65 Lightning Rocket and Lightning Clubman models that developed the same peak horsepower at higher revs and achieved 105mph (169kph). The Clubman model was equipped with clip-on bars and a single seat with a back stop.
For the US market, the A65 Thunderbolt with a single carburettor and the A65 Lightning Rocket with twin carburettors were developed for road use. They developed 40bhp at 6,250rpm and 53bhp at 7,000rpm to reach top speeds of 101mph (163kph) and 108mph (174kph), respectively. The A65 Spitfire Hornet was the off-road model designed for the US market with single seat, small fuel tank, knobbly tyres and no lights although it was fitted with an alternator and regulator so that lights could be fitted. A lighting kit was available from BSA distributors and later US model variants known as A65 Firebird Scramblers were supplied with lights fitted.
This 1966 Hornet Scrambler was fully restored by Jim Hiddleston Restoration in the US and Dave Jenner in the UK immediately prior to being acquired for the NZ Classic Motorcycles collection via a US auction house in January, 2009.