1960 BSA Starfire Scrambler 250cc - 3-Page Vintage Motorcycle Road Test Article

Description

1960 BSA Starfire Scrambler 250cc - 3-Page Vintage Motorcycle Road Test Article
Original, vintage magazine article
Page Size: Approx. 8" x 11" (21 cm x 28 cm)
Condition: Good
Jntroduced just this past December
was the all new 1960 250cc Star fire
Scrambler, a machine specifically de-
signed for dirt competition or olt-the-
road riding. Although the Starfire has
had a relatively short exposure period
on the market, it has already proved
its reliability by constantly winning
trophies in many of the major and
minor events of this season. We feel
that Hoad Tests should evaluate the
record book. But also, and perhaps
more important, they should point out
the characteristics of test motorcycles
which may further explain why they
excel.
The. Star fi re, unlike many other
scrambler models, was not a change-
over from a previously manufactured
road machine. Thus, being conceived
for scrambling, it is important to bear
in mind that the Starfire is a mono-
purpose breed.
On first glance, the Starfire looks as
if the frame and forks were designed
for a much larger capacity engine.
Actually the appearance is not deceiv-
ing as the telescopic front forks are
the same diameter as the BSA Gold
Star. The heavy tubular frame has a
cradle - type engine support that is
covered with a 16th of an inch steel
skid plate. This plate clears the
ground by 8 inches and is excellent
protection for the type of use the Star-
fire is built to experience.
Sitting astride the bike, it continues
to have a feeling of bigness. The seal
height is 31 inches. Front wheel
measures 20 inches in diameter and
the rear 19 inches. Wheelbase is 51
inches.
Shifting is performed via a short
action foot lever located on the right
side of the crankcase. At first we
thought that the lever was a bit short
but it proved easy to operate and
snapped into each of the four gears
with a positive sounding click, even
over rough country and without the
help of the clutch. Neutral is in the
normal place, between first and sec-
ond.
Firing up the single cylinder 250cc
engine required a little extra effort—
more than we expected. We were
forced to remember al this point that
compression ratio is 9.5 to 1 and cur-
rent is fed to the spark plugs without
the help of a battery, as an A.C. gen-
erator with direct ignition and light-
ing is installed. Again, this is a ma-
chine not used for stop and go citv
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