498 cc, 33 hp, OHV vertical twin engine, two AMAL Monobloc carburettors, four-speed, foot-shift transmission, dual seat, telescopic front forks, rear swing-arm suspension, hand-operated front drum brake, foot-operated rear drum brake. Wheelbase: 54.75"

The A50 and A65 BSA were the 1960s unit-construction replacements for the trusty 500-cc A7 and 650-cc A10 from the 1950s. As many as 11 models were offered in the mid-60s, among them Royal Stars, Lightings, Thunderbolts and Spitfires. They represented the last golden summer for the British motorcycle industry, before arrival of the Honda 750 in 1969.

This 500-cc BSA A50 Star was imported from the USA in 1998. It appears to be a sound, original survivor, with good chrome and excellent paint, although there is evidence of a touch-up on the left side panel. Supplied with an MoT until July 2011, we are informed it runs very well and is easy to start. At some point the engine has been upgraded to BSA Cyclone specifications, with a BSA Cyclone twin carburettor cylinder head and AMAL Monobloc carburettors. These are genuine period items, not reproductions. The bike is dated 1966, which corresponds with its licence plate, and it comes with a UK V5C registration document and new MoT.