BSA A65 oil in frame
THE OIL IN FRAME A65 twins were launched by BSA in a blaze of publicity and hubris at a trade show in November 1970, held at London’s Lancaster Hotel.
As well as the Ariel 3 moped and the Fury 350 twins that were supposed to save the day for the British motorcycle industry, there was the Rocket 3 triple, unit singles in 250 and 500cc capacities, a last outing for the old chrome tanked 500cc Royal Star A50 twin and a range of modernised A65 650 twins. These were the single-carb Thunderbolt, twin-carb Lightning and the Firebird, a twin-carb Lightning with black high-rise pipes, a bash plate and folding pegs.
They had the new oil bearing frame, which was claimed to increase oil capacity, reduce weight and improve cooling. The frames were painted grey, an odd choice for something destined to be covered in oil and road muck. The oil tank was the rear frame tube, dropping to a ‘top hat’ gauze filter at the bottom
