1969 BSA ROYAL STAR 500 MOTORCYCLE, 6,882 ORIGINAL MILES FROM NEW, RESTORED, RUNS AND RIDES AS NEW...
Frame Number: EC 22172 A50R
Engine Number: EC 22172 A50R
In the 1960’s, with the motorcycle craze in full swing on both sides of the Atlantic, the BSA Motorcycle Company turned out some of the most iconic road bikes of all time.
The condition of this machine is very nice, and an older restoration. Everything from the frame to the motor to the fenders has been done and is correct, and as far as I can tell, just the way it came from the factory.
I believe I am the third owner from new, but can’t
be positive. This machine has been a part of my collection and is actually
ridden, not just dusted. It is also stored in a temperature controlled
environment throughout the entire year.
When I purchased this particular machine, it was in
the condition you see in the photos, but had not run in some time, since the
owner was up in age and not able to ride anymore. I went through the
entire machine, got everything working and started riding it occasionally.
All of the major engine, transmission, and braking components are
operational.
The tires are in good condition and are not in need
of replacement. The brakes have also been completely rebuilt, front and
rear.
The engine and transmission are original and are in
perfect running condition. The bike starts very easily. A brand new
battery was also just installed.
The paint on the tank is in very nice condition with a couple of minor imperfections, as you can see in the photos. The seat pan is original and I believe the seat covering has been replaced, but I can’t be sure because it looks very original and very well preserved.
Overall, the chrome is in very nice condition, and not in need of any type of work.
The BSA on the road is very easy to handle, and
rides down the road tight, with no shakes, shimmies, or rattles. It
shifts and accelerates smoothly and holds the road as it should.
It’s a great machine to ride and enjoy as well as something you can take to a show and have judged. Again, there is absolutely nothing that needs to be done to this machine to ride, show, and enjoy it.
I have a motorcycle collection made up primarily of
British, German, Italian, and Japanese motorcycles, as well as Hercules pre-mix
and oil injected machines. If you have
specific questions, just want to learn more, or are looking for something in
particular, please let me know.
I’m also always looking for other vintage
motorcycles to add to my collection, so if you have something interesting to
share, please contact me.
TERMS: $500 DEPOSIT DUE
WITHIN 24 HOURS OF AUCTION CLOSE. BALANCE OF AUCTION AMOUNT MUST BE PAID
BY CASH IN PERSON, BANK TO BANK TRANSFER, OR CERTIFIED FUNDS (WITH
VERIFICATION) ONLY WITHIN 7 DAYS OF AUCTION CLOSE. SORRY, NO C.O.D. AND
NO PAYPAL FOR FINAL PAYMENT.
The description of this motorcycle is written to
the best of my knowledge. However, I am by no means an expert on vintage
BSA motorcycles. Please don’t
hesitate to ask for more photos and, if possible, come and look in person
before the auction ends. ALL SALES ARE FINAL! If you have any
questions, please contact me before the auction ends.
If you have any questions, please contact me.
If you live close to Chicago, I encourage you to come and inspect the motorcycle
in person.
In an effort to protect the eBay user information
and to help ensure the authenticity of correspondence between sellers and
bidders, eBay’s new listing format does NOT display any bidder information.
However, I STRONGLY encourage bidders to contact me directly to answer
questions or to verify correspondence. Seller reserves the right to not
accept bids or sell the vehicle to anyone with a zero or negative eBay feedback
rating.
This motorcycle is being sold as is, where is with
no warranty, expressed, written or implied unless there is a warranty in effect
from the factory. The seller shall not be responsible for the correct
description, authenticity, genuineness, or defects herein, and makes no
warranty in connection therewith. No allowance or set aside will be made
on account of any incorrectness, imperfection, defect or damage. Any
descriptions or representations are for identification purposes only and are
not to be construed as a warranty of any type. It is the responsibility
of the buyer to have thoroughly inspected the motorcycle and to have satisfied
himself or herself as to the condition and value and to bid based upon that
judgment solely. The seller shall and will make every reasonable effort
to disclose any known defects associated with this motorcycle at the buyer's
request PRIOR to the close of sale. Seller assumes no responsibility for
any statements regardless of any oral statements about the item.
Please remember that your bid constitutes a legally
binding contract to purchase this item. If you require an inspection,
have it done prior to bidding. I strongly encourage all bidders to
inspect the motorcycle personally or enlist the services of a professional
inspector prior to placing a bid. After the sale, inspections are not
recognized as a contingency to completing your obligation to your winning
bid. If there are any questions regarding the above terms, please e-mail
prior to bidding.
Please do not waste my time or yours bidding on an
item you do not intend to pay for. If you bid on this motorcycle and win,
you are expected to pay and pick it up in a timely manner!
I welcome ALL international bidders and am happy to
assist with making shipping arrangements. I can also arrange crating for
shipment on my end for a nominal extra charge. If you are an
international buyer, I understand it can take some time to arrange shipping, so
I do not mind keeping the motorcycle for a longer period of time until pick
up. Please contact me before the sale ends, if possible, to discuss the
specifics.
Thanks for your interest!
For more on the BSA Royal Star, please read on past the photos…
The BSA
Royal Star was a Birmingham Small Arms Company (BSA) motorcycle whose new engine design paved the way for a
range of successful unit construction twins. As well as giving a clean look to the
engine, with the pushrod passages part of the cylinder block casting, unit construction
reduced the number of places oil could leak from.Development:
The decision by Lucas in the late 1950s to switch production of motorcycle electrical components (from magneto/dynamo systems to alternator/coil systems) forced British motorcycle manufacturers to completely redesign their engines. Triumph and BSA took the opportunity to move from pre-unit and semi-unit construction to full unit construction, that is, with the engine and gearbox together in an integrated casting. At the same time, Bob Fearon, Managing Director and General Manager of BSA recognized the need for an updated look that built on the best features of the A10 but which would succeed in the potentially lucrative but competitive United States market.
Working with Chief Development Engineer Bert Perrigo they developed the unit construction Star twins. Launched in 1962 as the 500 cc BSA Star and later the more sporty Royal Star. The model was widely exported to the USA and Australia as well as becoming a top seller in the UK in the early 1960s.
The Royal Star had a relatively small 1" single Amal monobloc carburetor, and later Concentric carburetor, but in 1964 new 8.5:1 pistons and a new gearbox improved performance. The machine had a top speed of about 90 mph and was relatively free of vibration.
Sharing common engine and cycle parts with the larger BSA A65 Star 650 twin, it was an over-engineered machine and proved very robust. The only major fault with the engine design was a plain crankshaft bearing on the timing side which, when worn, would cause a drop in oil pressure. In 1965, BSA addressed the bearing issues with a roller bearing on the drive side, as it had been on the pre-unit engines, with an improved bronze bushing on the timing side.
The Cyclone was the same basic machine as the Royal Star except fitted for high performance. The A50CC Cyclone Competition built for the US market model year 1964 had dual 1 1/16" carburetors, higher 10.5:1 engine compression, magneto ignition, larger front brake, 2 gallon fuel tank and upswept open exhaust. Built for scrambles, this model had no road lights. The A50C Cyclone Road built for the US market model years 1964 and 1965 had 1 1/16" dual carburetors, higher 9:1 compression engine and larger front brake. This model had battery ignition, full road lighting and the same 2 gallon fuel tank. Both models were available for the UK market with 9:1 engine compression, battery ignition and 4 gallon fuel tanks.
References:
Bacon, Roy “BSA Twins and Triples”
Clarke, R.M. “BSA Twins 1962 – 1973”. Brooklands Books Ltd. ISBN 1-85520-337-5.
Clement Salvadori (July–August 2011). "1962 BSA A50 Royal Star". Motorcycle Classics. Retrieved 2011-07-18.