BSA Owners' Club Workshop Discussions

The BSA Workshop => Twins => Topic started by: spike123 on 03 May, 2026, 04:16

Title: Speed
Post by: spike123 on 03 May, 2026, 04:16
Hi guys
My a65t 1971 when cruising at4000rpm is doing 50mph is this normal as it seems to be revving a bit too much
Is this standard or do I need to up my eng sprocket
Title: Re: Speed
Post by: DAVE BRADY on 03 May, 2026, 08:05
Hi,

Do you know how many teeth on the gear box sprocket as it is this that would need to be changed.
20T is fairly standard but I run 21T on my A65 and it takes the edge of the busyness of the engine but has almost no affect on slower running.

Dave.
Title: Re: Speed
Post by: limeyrob on 03 May, 2026, 11:44
It should be geared for about 110 in top at 7000-7500 revs so you can work back from that.   is it a US export model, they were low geared.
Title: Re: Speed
Post by: V500 on 03 May, 2026, 19:19
The only work-back from 110mph at 7500 revs would be retrieve the bits of engine scattered over the landscape.. ;)
Title: Re: Speed
Post by: redmelons on 03 May, 2026, 20:04
Estimated top speed per gear (standard A65, 20/47 final drive) at ~6,200 rpm

Gear   Gear ratio   Estimated top speed
1st    11.49:1   39 mph
2nd     7.32:1   61 mph
3rd     5.24:1   85 mph
4th       4.58:1   97 mph

Notes: calculations use published A65 gearbox ratios and typical 20/47 sprocket final drive and assume ~6,200 rpm as a practical maximum before heavy vibration; actual speeds vary with tyre circumference, sprocket changes, engine tune and redline.
Title: Re: Speed
Post by: limeyrob on 04 May, 2026, 19:29
Perhaps that's why my frame cracked and the oil once boiled..... :-[
Title: Re: Speed
Post by: spike123 on 05 May, 2026, 05:12
Ok thanks
I dont think it's import
Title: Re: Speed
Post by: limeyrob on 05 May, 2026, 10:34
It could have been an export model that never got exported.  In 71 and 72 BSA were in real trouble and selling these bike to dealers like Commerfords in big batches in a desperate attempt to ward off bankruptcy.
Title: Re: Speed
Post by: scifi on 06 May, 2026, 09:12
You say it is an A65T, does the T mean it is the Trials version..?  In which case the speeds are always lower.   I have the same low gearing on my B40 trials bike... Ideal for green-lanes, but useless on the Bypass.
A quick search on Ebay shows that for £30 you can get 16 tooth to 21 tooth gearbox sprockets.   The 19T and 20T being suitable for road use.
Title: Re: Speed
Post by: JulianS on 06 May, 2026, 09:15
T for Thunderbolt the single carb model not trials.
Title: Re: Speed
Post by: V500 on 06 May, 2026, 09:26
A thunderbolt trials version would be mind-boggling..
Title: Re: Speed
Post by: nablats on 07 May, 2026, 12:48
I just got my 62 tbolt on the road, tried a 19t front as there are many 1in3 hills around these parts (north york moors). After just a couple of runs I went to 20t as it has plenty of grunt (I am new to these 650s) when I changed the oil seal behind the sprocket (the only blumin seal I didn`t change). I will get a 21t to try once I get some miles under my belt.
Title: Re: Speed
Post by: JJC on 27 May, 2026, 13:45
The OIF versions had 47T rear sprockets and either 20T (Thunderbolt) or 21T (Lightning) engine sprockets as standard.  What was fitted by owners over the years in between could be anything that is/was available.  Personally, I like tall gearing for the lower revs at higher speeds.  Since 47T is the smallest rear sprocket, I have geared up my OIF A65L with a 22T engine sprocket and also fitted a 19 inch rear wheel (conical hub) from a T150 Trident.  It also has a 730cc big bore kit to help with the taller gearing.  Recently I was using it with a standard cylinder in 650cc configuration and it pulled o.k. with the 22T engine sprocket and an 18 inch rear wheel.  In my experience they always seem happier with taller gearing than standard.