Topic: Okay, I Like The Old 50s' Gold Stars, But What About The Newer 500 Singles?

[bill440cars]

     For example, what about the BSA B50, anyone got input on those bikes? Good Points Bad Points, How About It Lets hear the Pros and the Cons! I remember when the 250cc version came out, the folks in our area, were buying the C15 Starfires, stripping them down and taking them to the Scrambles track and racing against the Triumph Cubs (originally 200ccs but with a "conversion kit, 250cc) and usually coming out on top. I'd like to hear about the reliability, ridability, excetera ! Any Gurus out there?

[Green550F]

I've got a 1996 Savage 650(Suzuki S40). It's utilitarian, reliable, nimble. but also too low HP(30), too cramped(I'm 165# @ 6'3").

It can be a do-all bike. Just doesn't do-all well.
It usually is a round town ride, but It's being replaced there with my Cafe 350 project.
This weekend it's going to do a 3-day/1500mile road trip around Lake of the Woods. IA to Canada and back!

I haven't done a "what the !@#$ was I thinking?" trip in years, so I'm due!
It will also count toward my Compass Goal... to ride as far north, south, east, and west as possible in the lower 48. Hopefully I'll do the rest on a more comfortable bike!

[bill440cars]

 Something similar to this one, is what I am talking, not quite as nice, but not a bad looking sort and seems to be in good working order as well.



                         

[Caminokid]

Bill,
I have owned a couple of hands full of BSA's. Its a 50/50 thing with me. Half of them gave me problem after problem and the other half never even once left me pushing them on back home. It seems when they did break down...it was the furthest point from home to. I pushed a 66 10 miles back home.

[crazypj]

I like them but could never afford one when I was a kid ( and sure as hell can't afford one now  ).
 Alan Clews (CCM) bought out the BSA race shop when it closed down so with developments he started there is quite a lot available for them if you have the cash.
 BSA did a deal with Disney in early 70's to use Thumper the rabbit stickers on the B50MX
 They are making lots of HP with new technology, think 680cc is biggest they go?
Main weak point is transmission, (after all, it was originally designed for a 250, C15)
 I think the big bore motors are only 3 speed

PJ

[bill440cars]

I like them but could never afford one when I was a kid ( and sure as hell can't afford one now  ).
 Alan Clews (CCM) bought out the BSA race shop when it closed down so with developments he started there is quite a lot available for them if you have the cash.
 BSA did a deal with Disney in early 70's to use Thumper the rabbit stickers on the B50MX
 They are making lots of HP with new technology, think 680cc is biggest they go?
Main weak point is transmission, (after all, it was originally designed for a 250, C15)
 I think the big bore motors are only 3 speed

PJ

            Check this one out:  http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270441761558&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWAX%3AIT#v4-32 Might know it's one of those listings that I can't just copy the photos!

[Sam Green Racing]

Nobody bid on it 

Sam.

[bill440cars]

Nobody bid on it 

Sam.

   Nope!   It came and went without ONE single bid on it!   makes me wonder if the fellow might be open to an offer on it?    It's only about an hour and a half from where I am.   HMMMM, who knows, I just might take my Dad and stroll down that way and see if I can locate it. It's a small town and fellow might be open to an offer. Plus I could get a 1st hand look at it, if it hasn't sold locally, that is. might be able to pick it up for a song! Trouble is, "I Can't Sing!"

[Uncle Ernie]

It can't hurt to call.

Seems like you're set on a BSA?
If it's just a 500 single you're looking for, I think the SR500 is possibly the best ever made.  Terrific engine that loves to get modified if you want / need to.  The body work is amenable to customizing.  Great (low) prices, and did I mention how great the engine is? 
If i could kick-start a bike, I'd still have mine. 

[medic09]

Ernie beat me to it.

The Yamaha SR500 was the best single bike I've owned.  (Sorry 'bout the pun/double entendre!)  Did everything the Gold/Shooting Star did, without any of the problems.  There is a also a very good SR500forum.  http://www.sr500forum.com/forum/

[medic09]

BTW, Motorcycle Classics just featured the 441 Shooting Star in the Under The Radar column.

[GoatBaSS]

BTW, Motorcycle Classics just featured the 441 Shooting Star in the Under The Radar column.

And they did the SR a while back.

[bill440cars]

       

It can't hurt to call.

Seems like you're set on a BSA?
If it's just a 500 single you're looking for, I think the SR500 is possibly the best ever made.  Terrific engine that loves to get modified if you want / need to.  The body work is amenable to customizing.  Great (low) prices, and did I mention how great the engine is? 
If i could kick-start a bike, I'd still have mine. 

           Oh, I don't know, I just thought it'd be cool to have the BSA and it seemed to be in pretty good shape and wasn't far away either . I'm not used to something popping up that is that accessible, you know?

           For an old Single, I'd LIKE to have an old Gold Star Early to mid 50s' or a Matchless Typhoon (600cc single). Not that there is anything wrong with the SR500. In fact, I HAVE an 80' SR500 that is not in too good of a shape. I have to warn you, it IS pretty rough!

                                                            

                                                                                       

[GoatBaSS]

If you got a cb 350 twin, Ill trade you that and the SR for a running 75 754ss with title,rust from PA, and a "Slight" clutch problem that I hope to figger out soon.

[Uncle Ernie]

Here's Jake's BSA.  It sure looks and sounds awfully nice.  I kind of tried to make my Musketball look like this, but a Royal Enfield is really a piece of doody.  But- it has E-start.  >sigh<  I hope you're healthier than me. 




Ya know- Earl just sold a BSA 250 for cheap- maybe $600?  Ran good, too.

[bill440cars]

Here's Jake's BSA.  It sure looks and sounds awfully nice.  I kind of tried to make my Musketball look like this, but a Royal Enfield is really a piece of doody.  But- it has E-start.  >sigh<  I hope you're healthier than me. 




Ya know- Earl just sold a BSA 250 for cheap- maybe $600?  Ran good, too.

  Now THAT"S a Gold Star!   Ya miscue on starting that one and you could be on crutches for a bit! Got chances of a MEAN kick!   Friend of my Dad's had one back when, with some hot pieces in the engine and a short reverse cone megaphone! Talk about walking AND talking!