1971-bsa-b25t_1

Though over the years BSA has made parallel twins and V twins, even transverse triples, the single cylinder engine was a mainstay power-plant. 250cc and 500cc class machines served well as street bikes but as racers maybe even better. The Gold Star and later B50 500 singles performed in trials, motocross and road race. In the 1960’s Jeff Smith brought home several motocross championships on a variety of scrambles and MX models. Earlier, in 1954 on the beach course, BSA took the top five places in the Daytona 200 and was then the largest motorcycle manufacturer in the world. 15 years later BSA was failing and its doors were shuttered in 1972, the year after Dick Mann rode a BSA Rocket III to a win at Daytona Beach.

The British motorcycle makers saw their sales start to slip in the mid-1960’s with the advent of light weight, well-priced motorcycles from Japan. Always a maker of “scramblers,” many as fine as the Gold Star Catalina and the A10 Rocket Scrambler, BSA turned its efforts to an inexpensive 250 single with scrambler styling.  Reviving the Gold Star name, it broke new ground with a gray frame, a newly styled muffler heat shield and mandatory turn signals. Aimed at American riders, about 90% of its market, it did not fare well with British traditionalists and in America in the early 1970’s its durability and performance were not enough.

The B25SS Gold Star Street Scrambler came near the end and was a design shared with Triumph. Styling was radically different from 60’s models. It was part of a determined effort that had started a few years earlier to freshen the whole BSA line.

This “Burgundy Red” B25T was bought new at Grayboy Cycles in Chillicothe, Illinois. Taken apart a bit by the son of the original owner, it sat in a basement for about 35 years then was given to a friend of Ron Kingsley, current owner. Ron traded a nice Suzuki X6 Hustler for it. With about 2900 miles on it, Dick only rides the BSA a little now and then. The late Dick Kingsley, a staunch BSA guy, got his son Ron into riding. Ron, a long time Museum supporter, donated the bike to the Museum in honor of his father and because “people need to see it.” It’s one of 11 BSA motorcycles, and one BSA bicycle, at the National Motorcycle Museum. They include road race, dirt track and stock production BSA’s you can enjoy when you visit.

1971-bsa-b25t_4
Specifications:

    • Engine: Four-Stroke Single, Unit
    • Type: Overhead Valves, Two Valves per Cylinder
    • Bore & Stroke: 67mm x 70mm
    • Displacement: 249cc’s
    • Compression Ratio: 10:1
    • Ignition: 12 Volt, Battery & Coil
    • Carburetor: Amal Concentric 928
    • Starting: Kick Only
    • Horsepower: 25HP
    • Primary: Duplex Chain Driven
    • Clutch: Multi-Plate
    • Final Drive: Chain
    • Transmission: 4-Speed
    • Frame: Single Loop, Steel
    • Suspension: Hydraulic Fork / Swingarm, Hydraulic Shocks
    • Brakes: 8″ Drum Front / 7″ Drum Rear
    • Wheelbase: 53 Inches
    • Wheels / Tires: 3.25 x 18 / 4.00 x 18
    • Weight: 320 Pounds
    • Top Speed: 80MPH
6 replies
  1. colin220
    colin220 says:

    Looking at this bike brings back a lot of memories. My first motorcycle was a 1970 BSA B25 Starfire 250. I was 15. I had a lot of fun on that bike and wish I still had it. Thank you for featuring this B25T.

    Reply
  2. Greg
    Greg says:

    I grew up in Chillicothe and would frequently look through the windows of Grayboy Cycles. I probably drooled over this exact bike at one time!!!

    Reply
  3. Fredrick W Lauber
    Fredrick W Lauber says:

    I let my first clutch out in the alley at Dick Kingsleys home on a triumph cub,Ron rode there all the time,I have been riding ever since.Thanks again Ron and family, your old friend Fred.That was 55 years ago.

    Reply
    • Matthew Wehr
      Matthew Wehr says:

      Frederick, it is very awesome to hear that Ron got you into riding, because Ron was my grandpa and also got the passion for motorcycles burnt into me. Also the ’57 Triumph Cub is still around and in the family!

      Reply
  4. Keith Gray
    Keith Gray says:

    I’m Tote Gray’s son, I’m pretty sure Bruce Gould and I put that one together or at a minimum pushed around the showroom floor. Good to see it again. Loved the look, particularly against the backdrop of the the other 1971 BSAs.

    Reply
  5. Fred Faahs
    Fred Faahs says:

    I had one back in 1972. My first bike. My friends and I would take it to an unimproved area of Valley Forge State Park, and take turns riding the trails the local dirt bikers had carved out. We didn’t head home until the 5 gallon gas can was empty, or something broke. As I recall, it reached the peak HP at about 8950 RPM. Bike was a ball to ride!

    Reply

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