BSA A50 Royal Star

The BSA A50 Royal Star was a Birmingham Small Arms Company motorcycle whose new engine design paved the way for a range of successful unit construction twins. Launched in 1962 as the 500 cc BSA A50 Star, it was widely exported to the United States and Australia and became a top seller in the United Kingdom in the early 1960s. It was known as the Royal Star in export markets and as the Star or Star Twin in the UK until 1966, when Royal Star became the name in all markets. Developed by managing director Bob Fearon and chief development engineer Bert Perrigo, it shared engine and cycle parts with the larger A65 Star 650, and the unit construction layout reduced the places oil could leak from. A tuned Cyclone version was also built for the American market.