BSA 441shooting star
- Thread starter franknjan
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stevewagner
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They come up quite often on H & H auctions
Try riding one first, I think you will find you will be in top gear by 30mph as you desperately try to stop it vibrating. Not a problem if riding in competion as you will be concentrating more on the race. Different story if out for a Sunday ride. There is a reason why Brit bikes over 250cc were often twin cylinder.
- Feb 25, 2020
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I have a BSA B44 Cheney framed Scramble ( pre 65 motocross bike ) not for sale of which I have been restoring for far to many years, and also have a couple of B40 crankcases which would be for sale if you are engine building.
But as stated more of a competition engine than a cruiser
But as stated more of a competition engine than a cruiser
Built to an original military design Nuff said !!!
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- Feb 25, 2020
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And of course in order B25 = 250cc B40 = 350cc B44 = 440cc B50 = 500 cc then Allen Clews bought all the BSA competition engines when the factory closed and developed them into the CCM engines in various cc with big BHP back in the day and highly collectible now.
OP
OP
Hi all. Thanks for your input, I appreciate your comments. Yes I've read/ heard about vibration issues but thought it was on smaller earlier versions. You're maybe right, l need to ride one before deciding.
I fancy something (british)mid capacity. I have a 750 Triumph, 250 Suzuki, 250 Puch, 160 Honda and 125 Puch. (I'm thinking of selling the Suzuki)
When out for a ride, l tend to avoid dual carriageway/motorways where possible.
Maybe a B31 or AJS/ Matchless could be a consideration?
I'd like to read your comments.
Is the 441 shooting star that bad? I do like the look of them over the alternatives.
Thanks again Frank.
I fancy something (british)mid capacity. I have a 750 Triumph, 250 Suzuki, 250 Puch, 160 Honda and 125 Puch. (I'm thinking of selling the Suzuki)
When out for a ride, l tend to avoid dual carriageway/motorways where possible.
Maybe a B31 or AJS/ Matchless could be a consideration?
I'd like to read your comments.
Is the 441 shooting star that bad? I do like the look of them over the alternatives.
Thanks again Frank.
Stealaway
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Royal Enfield single. Almost British but modern and it has brake's 
Steve and Denise
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I happen to know of another one of those around here been laid for years.
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The BSA B44 Victor Roadster and also its little brother the B25 looked the part near the end of production with a stylish fibreglass tank chrome mudguards etc.
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Steve and Denise
LIFE MEMBER
I had a B31 when I was a teenager. I bet one would break my leg now if I got the starting wrong…….ignition advance/retard, valve lifter, kick over to near tdc, close lifter, stand on the kick starter, bang, ouch
Thought shooting star was a 500cc twin cylinder .
OP
OP
This model sold recently at an auction.
£6900 + fees.
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Last edited:
It was ,the 1950s / early1960s BSA A7 500cc Twin was also called a Shooting star
Sorry that is the one I remember, a pal of mine had one and I had the 650ss Norton with the featherbed frame and grey gun metal fuel tank, they were both , to me beautiful bikes !
Shrimp
Funster
In my earlier life ‘we’ had a B441, beautiful bike did loads of miles two-up. I always got wheelies when I change into second gear!
Blew the top off the piston with fuel that was too high for it!
Some idiot in Wales did a U turn in road in front of us, clear straight road, good Vis and still he carried on, and 441 was a write-off!
Engine sold to a lad up the road and put into his B25!
Blew the top off the piston with fuel that was too high for it!
Some idiot in Wales did a U turn in road in front of us, clear straight road, good Vis and still he carried on, and 441 was a write-off!
Engine sold to a lad up the road and put into his B25!
Another pal had a A10 super rocket, had it rebuilt at vale-onslows in Birmingham
denisejoe
LIFE MEMBER
I bought a super rocket that had been partially cafe raced the back wheel was a sidecar one made inter riding until changed didn’t think it had a lot of power until going around a bend and 2nd cylinder kicked in.
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I still have and ride , on sunny days , a 1969 BSA A50 Royal Star which was the unit construction 500cc twin that followed the original Shooting Star . I do also have a 1965 Triumph T90 350cc and a 1962 Velocette Viper 350cc which I also enjoy riding on quiet roads (I have fitted a electric starter kit to the Velocette though).
A pal of mine had the triumph 500 Daytona it was a cracking bike ! There were so many different bikes in the 1960s it was a fantastic era .sadly the supposedly high reving short life Japanese bikes started to come in and decimated the British bike industry. The 350 Yamaha autolube 2strokes were so smooth and 12v electric’s dare not even say it they were good sacrilege!
And the fact the Japs split the crankcase horizontally to stop oil leaks and incorporate gearboxes.
I had my uncle's DBD34 Gold Star Clubman, what a bike!! Took it to Isle of Man for TT week, twice. riding that over the mountain was a experience i will never forget.
Sadly it had to go to the National Motorcycle collection when i gave it up, under the terms of his will,
Sadly it had to go to the National Motorcycle collection when i gave it up, under the terms of his will,
Yes the finish on the crankcase was unbelievable so shiny, like mirror you could see your face in it ,no oil leaks there as you say .
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Wonderful bike had it got RRT2 box incredible machine
We used to go to Mallory park to the race meets, and we all came out at the end of the meet thinking we were Mike Hailwood and Giacomo Agostini it’s a wonder we weren’t killed.
At least you didn’t think you were Mike Agostini
I well remember that feeling and having to think hard about what I was doing for a few miles. Especially after a few days on the IOM.They were heady days scary ,adrenaline was coursing through the veins we were immortal!
Yes, and full cafe racer set up, big tank , single seat, rear seats and clip ons, loved it, and drums front and rear
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