A50 and A65 Star 1962 - 1965

Curved shapes, and clean lines looked modern in the sixties. Standard finish of this 1963 A65 Star was blue. A50 was green

BSA's first unit construction twins look as if they have gone back to their touring roots. But what now seems like staid styling was high fashion in the early Sixties. Lots of curved shapes and clean lines were BSA's contribution to the British motorcycle industry's brief infatuation with enclosure. And with the 42bhp pre-unit Super Rocket still in production until 1963, the 500 and 650 Stars were marketed for their flexibility rather than the their top speed.

The 1964 28.5bhp A50 was tested at 96mph by The MotorCycle's Bob Currie, who had squeezed 102mph from an A65 the previous year. "Speedy but docile," concluded Bob of the 38bhp 650 twin, judging BSA's marketing plans correctly.

The A50 was finished in polychromatic green, while the A65 was blue or flamboyant red. Black was an option for both models.

With its strengthened engine - the redesign included larger crankpins and timing side main bearing bush - the early unit construction twins are strong and reliable. And the popular opinion about the early twins, that the 500 is sweeter than the 650, also applies to these models.

An early A50 or A65 will be a good buy, although fully original examples are getting uncommon. Many late Sixties owners threw away the headlamp nacelle and side panels as the fashion for enclosure waned.