| Manufacturer | Birmingham Small Arms Company (BSA) |
|---|---|
| Model year | 1963–1968 |
| Engine | 654 cc (39.9 cu in) air cooled four stroke, parallel twin, OHV, 2 valves per cylinder |
| Power | 54 bhp (40 kW) @ 7250 rpm |
| Transmission | 4 Speed / chain |
| Fuel capacity | 4 gallons (2 in the US export version) |
The BSA Spitfire is a Birmingham Small Arms Company (BSA) motorcycle made from 1963 to 1968. One of the first BSAs to have 12-volt electrics, the Spitfire was also one of the first "street racers" with two large-bore Amal GP carburettors, complete with velocity stacks.[1]
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In 1966 BSA were starting to experience financial problems and the management decided to rationalise the range to just six motorcycles.[1] The A65 Spitfire motorcycle was one of these and had a number of new features including a new twin-downtube steel frame and new Girling shocks. A 190mm front drum brake improved braking and lightweight alloy rims reduced the weight to 174 kg[2]. Two large-bore Amal GP carburetors with velocity stacks improved acceleration but made the Spitfire hard to kick start when the engine was hot, so owners chose to replace them with Amal concentric carburettors with more conventional round air filters and this became the factory supplied specification in 1967. Keen to boost sales in the US market BSA produced a special Spitfire with a two gallon fuel tank following the trend set by the Harley Davidson Sportster. The UK Spitfire had a conventional four gallon tank, with a large five gallon option from 1967.[1].
The 1968 MKIV Spitfire was the last made. Amal’s new Concentric carburettors were combined with twin-leading-shoe front brakes and independently adjustable Lucas ignition points for easier starting. Engine power output was increased to 53 bhp (40 kW). A total of 471 true 1968 model year Spitfires were produced, not counting the carryover 1967s converted to 1968 specs.