1968 BSA Firebird 650 Scrambler

One of 265 Produced – 58 Year Ago

Extremely Rare Classic

Museum Quality – With New Engine Restoration

The End of an Era – A True Desert Racing Legend

DETAILS

• YEAR - 1968

• MILEAGE - 82

• MAKE - BSA

• MODEL - FIREBIRD 650

• VIN - A65FB3170

• TITLE - YES

Only 82 Miles On A Complete Mechanical Restoration

Guys, feast your eyes on the class of 1968. This is an ultra-rare 1968 BSA Firebird 650 Scrambler, one of only 265 ever produced, and without question one of the finest surviving examples you will ever find.

This motorcycle represents the final chapter of British off-road dominance before the Japanese manufacturers changed the industry forever. The Firebird Scrambler was designed as a street-legal desert racer—built from the factory to win scrambles, TT events, and desert races right out of the crate. Most owners removed the lights, mounted knobbies, and raced them hard. As a result, very few survived, and almost none remain in this condition.

This particular machine is a spectacular piece of motorcycle history, professionally restored and meticulously maintained by Ted Smith, longtime President of the Yankee Chapter of the Antique Motorcycle Club of America (AMCA). If you know Ted, you know his reputation—his restorations are among the finest in the country, and this Firebird is no exception.

This motorcycle has been displayed in the museum for the last eight years and is now being offered for sale from Ted’s private collection.

Highlights & Features

• One of only 265 Firebird Scramblers produced

• Authentic twin-carburetor Firebird Scrambler

• High-compression, high-performance 650cc engine

• Dual carburetors

• Big-valve cylinder head

• Close-ratio 4-speed transmission

• Original upswept high-pipe exhaust system

• Original-style graphics and cycle parts

• Original chrome and stainless steel fenders

• Original saddle and passenger grab bar

• Center stand and kickstand intact

• Trispark Classic Twin digital electronic ignition upgrade

• Dunlop K70 tires with less than 100 miles

• Displayed in our museum for the last 8 years

• Clean title ready for transfer

This is as close to mechanically perfect as you will ever find one.

Extensive Crank-Up Engine Restoration – Over $5,200 in Receipts

The engine was completely rebuilt from the crankshaft up with under 100 miles since completion.

Engine Restoration Includes:

• Left and right crank bearings

• High gear bearing

• Long shaft bearing

• New Hypolite pistons bored .040 over

• New intake valve

• New exhaust valves

• New valve springs

• New bronze valve guides

• Complete machine shop work

• New gasket & seal set

• New base gasket

• New head gasket

• New connecting rod bearings

• New outer main shaft bearings

• New shaft outer bearing

• All new oil seals throughout engine

The engine machining and rebuild work alone totaled approximately $3,482, with thousands more spent on OEM and specialty parts sourced from Burton Bike Bits and other BSA suppliers.

Additional restoration parts include:

• Steering lock

• Reflector brackets

• Battery retaining hardware

• Engine sump guard

• Tank mounting hardware

• Twin condenser pack

• Genuine BSA alloy fill and sump plate

• Footpeg rubbers

• Fuel tank mounting rubbers

• Spark plug caps

• Hardware kits

• Electrical components

• And much more

The documentation package is extraordinary—approximately 30 pages of receipts, manuals, tuning literature, parts catalogs, and factory documentation.

Documentation Included

This motorcycle comes with one of the most comprehensive documentation packages we’ve ever seen on a vintage British motorcycle:

• Original BSA owner’s manual

• Factory workshop manual

• Original 1968 BSA Firebird brochure

• Genuine BSA parts catalog

• Amal carburetor tuning literature

• Wiring schematics

• Restoration receipts and documentation

• Parts invoices

• Engine rebuild records

The original factory brochure describes the Firebird as:

“Successor to the Hornet, winner of hundreds of scrambles and TT events… this all-new Scrambler leaves other road sport models buzzing in its wake.”

Factory specs advertised:

• 10:1 compression

• 52 horsepower

• Competition-tuned engine

• Full 12-volt electrical system

• Desert-racing capability with street legality

Condition

The bike is in absolutely spectacular condition.

The chrome, stainless fenders, original exhaust, and overall presentation are outstanding. The motorcycle starts easily, idles properly, shifts beautifully, and runs exactly as a proper Firebird should.

The carbs were cleaned and serviced, fresh VP 94 octane ethanol-free fuel installed, fluids changed, and the motorcycle fully detailed before being offered for sale.

There is a small amount of seepage from the primary case, which is extremely common on vintage British motorcycles. As the saying goes: “If it doesn’t mark its spot, it’s probably out of oil.”

Our technicians went through the bike thoroughly and confirmed it runs excellently.

Investment-Grade British Classic

Finding a genuine Firebird Scrambler today is difficult enough.

Finding one with:

• Original exhaust

• Correct twin-carb setup

• Proper restoration

• Extensive documentation

• Museum ownership history

• AMCA provenance

• And mechanical perfection

…is virtually unheard of. 1 of 1 like this for sale nationwide today.

and With only 265 produced and most raced into destruction decades ago, we would estimate fewer than 20 survive worldwide in this caliber of condition.

This is a blue-chip collectible and an investment-grade British desert racer from the golden age of motorcycling.

Financing & Shipping

• Clean title in hand

• Nationwide shipping available

• In-house financing available

• International buyers welcome

This motorcycle is being sold on consignment for Ted Smith.

If purchased, Ted has graciously offered to speak directly with the new owner regarding the history and restoration of the motorcycle.

About Kaplan Cycles / New England Motorcycle Museum

At Kaplan Cycles, we don’t just sell motorcycles—we preserve motorcycle history.

Every vintage motorcycle we offer is carefully evaluated, professionally detailed, and represented honestly. Our mission is to connect enthusiasts and collectors with some of the finest classic motorcycles in the world while preserving the heritage of the sport for future generations.

We are proud to offer concierge-level service including:

• Nationwide shipping assistance

• Financing options

• Museum-quality presentation

• Professional mechanical evaluations

• Long-term enthusiast support

Contact Information

Kaplan Cycles / New England Motorcycle Museum
Rockville, Connecticut

Call Ken Kaplan Jr, Owner Of Kaplan Cycles @

860-454-7024

Questions are welcome. Inspections are encouraged.

Thanks for Looking, and God Bless America.

WHY SHOULD YOU BUY FROM KAPLAN? WHAT DO YOU GET?

“You are buying from the Kaplan Cycles Family. We are not just another big auction house. We are family-owned and operated and have been buying, servicing, and selling motorcycles since 1975. You will work directly with Ken Jr., Ken Sr., and/or one of the 30+ experts on our team. We provide museum-quality, white-glove concierge service from start to finish. Every motorcycle we sell is inspected, serviced, and supported by our team, and we stand behind it after the sale. You’re not on your own — we back what we build and what we sell.

With over 17,000 units sold and still 100% positive feedback, we are the best stress-free buying experience you can have. From the first call to delivery at your door, we will handle it all — because vintage motorcycles deserve support, and so do you.

With every bike we curate you get:
• museum-level inspection & preservation services
• every machine is professionally evaluated, serviced, & rotisserie detailed
• all critical systems are checked, adjusted, or renewed
• you get professional setup, tuning, and delivery prep
• done by the best experts in the industry — we ride and restore every day
• you get post-sale phone support
• you get white-glove, insured, always-enclosed shipping to your door anywhere in the country

You’re buying from Kaplan Cycles at the New England Motorcycle Museum, one of the largest vintage motorcycle collections in North America. Free museum tours and tickets are included with every bike sold. With every bike you purchase, a portion of the proceeds is used to support, continue, and improve the 501(c)(3) nonprofit New England Motorcycle Museum.

You don’t just win an auction — YOU are creating & helping to preserve motorcycle history, and you become part of our family, a Kaplan Cycles client for life.

We do not take new clients off the street.
We do not service bikes purchased elsewhere.
We only take new exclusive clients who purchase a motorcycle from us.

You get a guided purchase experience with, and from, the experts who care about the bike as much as you do. If there’s a problem, you don’t get ghosted. You call us — you will have our cell phone numbers — we will answer your call on weekends, and we will help make it right.

Auction platforms = listing only. No support. No accountability.

Kaplan Cycles = we stand behind what we sell.

You are buying museum-curated provenance. That means:
• expert evaluation
• documented condition
• professional presentation
• long-term preservation mindset

You’re not just buying a motorcycle — you’re buying a curated piece of motorcycling history.

From the #1 family in this business — Kaplan Cycles & the New England Motorcycle Museum.

Sincerely,

Ken Kaplan Sr.
12/28/2025”

AUCTION TERMS:

All motorcycles & vehicles are sold as-is where-is.

Kaplan Cycles guarantees all motorcycles are as-described. Please read the entire description and watch the entire video before bidding.

A non-refundable deposit is due immediately on purchase. PayPal or Credit Card is accepted for the deposit.

Cash (In-Person), Card (+3% fee), or Wire Transfer are our only accepted forms of final payment.

Full payment must be made within 7 days of auction close.

Your motorcycle must be picked up within 30 days of auction close. 

Exceptions are made only for international buyers OR buyers who have ALREADY made transport arrangements with a third party.

If a motorcycle is purchased and left here for longer than 30 days without written permission from Kaplan Cycles it will be resold. In the case of a re-sale, the owner will be entitled to a refund less storage fees ($25/ day beginning 30 days from auction close) ONLY if the motorcycle was paid in full on-time within the auction terms.

We always describe our motorcycles as accurately as possible.

You are purchasing a classic motorcycle. Even in cases where a bike may be in good running/ operating condition, new problems & idiosyncrasies can arise over-time from sitting or regular use.

If you have an issue with the motorcycle you’ve received, contact us within 24 hours of delivery and before leaving feedback so that we can address your concerns.

It is important you have at least a basic mechanical knowledge before purchasing and operating a classic motorcycle.

Due to our backlog, we cannot perform any additional service work or modifications on your motorcycle after the sale (ie; adding a light kit, different tires, etc.)

We respond quickly between the hours of 9am and 5pm EST, Monday - Friday

For our fastest service please call Ken Kaplan Jr directly at 860-471-0192

We will not charge out-of-state buyers sales tax.
Out of state residents will pay sales tax with their DMV. 

We are not a registering dealership. You will receive only the documents required to register your vehicle in your state.

In our listings, title status is always listed directly below the main description.

In some cases we will sell motorcycles without title or registration. In these cases we guarantee all motorcycles sold are free and clear. We will always provide a route to obtaining title. Generally in these cases, the motorcycle will be sold at a discount to accommodate expenses involved.

Documents are mailed via USPS priority mail with a tracking number. Please allow up to 14 days after payment in full for your documents to be processed and mailed.

Keys will be shipped with the motorcycle.

Warranty:

All Motorcycles sold "as is, where is" and Kaplan Cycles does not warranty any motorcycle sold. No express warranty and/or implied warranty are made by Kaplan Cycles. No statements by us give an implied warranty.

SHIPPING:

SEND US YOUR ZIP FOR A SHIPPING QUOTE!
WE WILL MAKE ALL ARRANGEMENTS!

We have the best shipping contacts in the nation who will provide the FASTEST transport times, have a perfect track record, and are always insured and ENCLOSED! All motorcycles are shipped WHOLE (roll-on, roll-off). We do not offer a pallet or crate service.

International shipping specialist contacts are available! They will assist in ground freight, customs clearance, and ocean freight to your country. International buyers will be required to work directly with our third party shipping contacts.

We strongly recommend you insure your motorcycle at the time of purchase.

PICKUP:

We require a 24 hour notice prior to pick-up. Please call us at 860-454-7024 during office hours Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm EST.

We will provide ramps, a dock for loading, and assistance to load for free.