BSA Gold Star Spitfire Scrambler

[Andy Downes]

Wanted now Gold Star Spitfire Scrambler, from non-runner to concours, but must be genuine, I know the value of this model. This is not someone who is trying to buy a concourse model for nothing. I am in the UK, thasnk you.

[tombeau]

...and nice to meet you too Andy.

[bsa-bill]

Hi Andy and welcome
We're a friendly bunch here, lots of good advice and a bit of banter,it's customary to introduce yourself with a bit of history, bikes owned and fettled, that sort of thing.
Your quest for a " Gold Star Spitfire Scramble " will get everyone's attention and a pointer if anyone knows of one going, could be a difficult job prizing one out of a members stable though.
Good luck with it though

[tombeau]

 
Yeh welcome. Tell us a bit about yourself.
Cheers,
Iain

[Andy Downes]

Hio, quick history, very old, road bikes from Cubbies to Goldies, Honda CB 750/4 , Moto Martin CBX's, MV'S -  current bike Fireblade, intend to race Yamaha XS650 in 2012. Wife has retired allowed me to buy a bike of my dreams, lot's of thought went into it and came up with A10 Spitfire Srambler, did some homework, came across the Goldie version and thought let's shoot for the moon, hence the posting, I suspect we have heard it all before but let's make an old man happy. Location - God's chosen country Scotland. My other bike if this does not come off is Royal Enfield Interceptor MK11 Export model, as I first saw one in a dealership near to where I live, as I was buying some parts for my Cubbie, ah childhood memories, and the weather was always better!!!!!!

[RichardL]

Andy,

Welcome. So,  does this mean that,  even though you are a Loyal Subject,  this would be your first dabble in British bikes? I must agree with you,  Scotland is God's chosen country.............. for producing great whiskey. No offense to our Irish members, I think Jamieson is great too.

Now,  don't get me wrong, I love my A10,  but if a racer without existing BSA loyalty were going to buy the British bike of his dreams,  wouldn't a Vincent Black Shadow come into that dream?

CLICK!

(That represents the sound of our administrator cancelling my membership and thinking,  "Hey what about our excellent Norwegian whiskies?")

Richard L.

[a10 gf]

ah childhood memories, and the weather was always better!!!!!!

The grass was greener, The light was brighter, With friends surrounded, The nights of wonder, Before time took our dreams away, There's a hunger still unsatisfied (Pink Floyd, High Hopes)

Welcome to the forum, and hoping you will find help.

[tombeau]

May be worth speaking to Cake St Classics.
Cheers,
Iain

[tombeau]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1954-BSA-GOLD-STAR-A10-SPITFIRE-SCRAMBLER-CLASSIC-NICE-/130585295766?pt=UK_Motorcycles&hash=item1e677d7b96#ht_1438wt_1398
Looks very pretty. Discuss.....

[chaterlea25]

Hi Tombeau,
"Frankencycle" at its best 
Spitfire Scramblers wern't made in 1954????
I have an article published in the "Goldie" magazine which proposes that they were first produced in 1957 .
extract below.

""Quoting from a 1963 BSA U.S. sales brochure, "New for 1963... The famous Spitfire now has the lightweight Gold Star frame, Gold Star Catalina type brakes front and rear, ..". In another 1963 press release for the A10 Rocket Gold Star and the Gold Star Spitfire Scrambler, the first is described as a "Super Rocket with Gold Star racing and custom features..." and the second as "Super Rocket with Gold Star Scrambler Features..." Despite BSA's claims that these Gold Star-based factory hybrids were "new" models, they actually had produced the first ones in 1957. However, it was made in this hybrid form in very small numbers in 1957, reverting to standard A10 frame and cycle parts for the next five years. Still, the press office seems to have forgotten in 1963 that this was the second time around.

Having established that there was a scrambler version of the famous A10 "Rocket Gold Star" in 1963, we are ready to look back a few years to find the origin of this model. The standard British-authored books on the marque are oblivious to the fact that there were Spitfire Scramblers prior to 1959. The reason for this is, they were export-only at the time, so very few people in England even knew of their existence. However, there were clues, if you knew where to look. Amid the usual BSA models for 1957, Amal lists the carburetor specifications for a "650 c.c. American Scr. Twin." However, all is revealed in the May 1957 issue of "Cycle" magazine in the form of a full-page ad for the "NEW! Spitfire Scrambler." Its name alone was another first for this machine, initiating BSA's trend of naming models after WWII fighter aircraft. That issue of "Cycle" also contains a very useful article copied straight from a press release (the identical text is used in "American Motorcycling" the same month) "BSA Announces New 40" Scrambler Model."   ""


Regards
John O R

[Lightningpower]

What were the characteristics of the early Spit Scram frames?  Did they have one mounting point for the exhaust or two?  Any other distinguishing features on the early ones?

[chaterlea25]

Hi All,
Maybe ??????? this ones a better bet ???? ???? ????

Ebay no 270851762003

Nowt to do with me etc.

Regards
John O R

[pappy]

i have a 1963 goldstar spitfire scrambler.  but the engine is not original, it is from a 1958 road rocket.  the bike had been converted to a road bike when i got it 20 years ago.  it had been customezed some in the 1960's with some extra chrome and aftermarket fenders and exhaust, and italian aluminum rims and stuff.  and the engine hotted up.  high compression and no spark retard, kicks like a mule.  it's a fun scooter, i ride it a lot and so have to work on it from time to time.  don't want to sell, just wanted to talk about it.  it's probably not worth that much extra becasue of the engine.  i think the rgs type bsa are a little over rated anyway.  they do have a little bit better brakes, but the A65 i think have the same, and people don't freak out about that.  i think the regular A10's are a cool bike.  i did not know what this one was until reading up on A10's and rgs i checked the frame and saw it had rgs markings!  but it had no pillion loop!  so i thought someone cut it off.  then i did some more checking and figured it had to be a scrambler.  it is a nice handler on the street! 

[70tbolt]

If you have not already done so, I encourage you to resister your frame with the Gold Star Owners Club UK.  The records keeper (Ian Jackson) should be able to provide you with more information as to when and where it was shipped.  You can find the contact information on my web page devoted to GSS Scramblers.  http://goldstarspitfires.weebly.com/

Cheers
Geoff Ullmann

[muskrat]

G'day pappy & 70tbolt, welcome to the forum. Trying to sneek in the back door.
 Pappy some pics of yours would be nice. Start a new topic.
 Geoff great site.
Cheers