Highlights
- Very rare early Mk2 Special
- Great condition and largely standard
- Fitted with new AMAL concentric carbs with originals included
- Current keeper since 2016
- Long list of remedial work by seller since purchase
- Replacement cylinder head and electronic ignition since purchase
- Dry stored and little used since 2019
The Appeal
If you’re going to name your new bike after one of Britain’s best-loved fighting machines, you’d better ensure it’s good. BSA’s Spitfire certainly was, dubbed a ‘factory hot rod’ and designed to compete with Triumph’s all-conquering Bonneville. At launch, the Spitfire was the fastest production bike that BSA had ever built, capable of 120mph from its 650cc parallel twin.
This 1966 bike is one of the original first-year ‘Mk2’ models and retains its eye-catching Peony Red fibreglass bodywork and array of neat Spitfire decals. The vendor acquired it in 2016 after it had been reimported to the UK in 1992, and he has used it sparingly. Work has included fitting upgraded AMAL concentric carburettors (the original AMAL GPs are included) and replacing the cylinder head with new valves, guides and gaskets. It is also fitted with electronic ignition with a power box. Other work has included new control cables, flowliner tank sealer, kickstart quadrant plus KS rubber & cotter pin.
We are told that it has been little used since 2019, when it was placed into dry, heated storage. The buyer advises that some recommissioning may therefore be required. Once done, the buyer gets a seriously entertaining bike to enjoy.
The vendor says:
“The bike handles very well and is very nimble. The appearance of the bike is great in the cafe racer style. It certainly turns heads! This should be a straightforward project with the end result of a desirable classic.”
“I ran the bike till 2019, and since then it has been stored in a heated, dry garage. It has not run since 2019 and will need to be re-commissioned. From 2016-2019, I used the bike on short local runs, and it rode very well. Occasionally, it jumped out of first gear on hard acceleration.”
Key Information
- Mileage: 2,440 miles (stated as correct but not verified
- Country of registration: UK (imported from the USA)
- Technical inspection status: exempt, last MOT expired July 2018
- Technical specs: 654cc air cooled OHV twin-cylinder, four-speed manual
- Paperwork: good history file of invoices, V5C, handbooks, workshop manual, handwritten notes
Notable maintenance since 2016 advised by seller:
- Replacement cylinder head fitted
- New valves, guides and gaskets
- Boyer electonic ignition kit fitted with power box
- New control cables
- Flowliner tank sealer
- Replacement kickstart quadrant
- KS rubber & cotter pin
The Detail
- Well presented bike with factory standard Peony Red fibreglass bodywork
- Light signs of age to chrome, fittings and paint but not unsightly
- Original factory decals and badging in very good condition
- Chromework presents well with light tarnish such as inside front mudguard
- Light alloy spoked rims in good order with Dunlop tyres fitted
- BSA-branded ‘humped back’ saddle fitted
- Lots of recent mechanical work and upgrades as detailed above
- Fitted with 12V factory electrics with Boyer electronic ignition now in place
- New AMAL concentric carburettors fitted since 2016
- Original AMAL GP carburettors included in the sale
- Instruments and switchgear are reported to be working
- Presented in cafe racer style
- Will require recommissioning as it has not run since 2019
- One of four sump plate studs has sheared and requires removal
- Occasionally jumped out of first gear under hard acceleration
BEFORE YOU BUY
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