Kirby BSA Sidecar Outfit

Terry Vinicombe's TT-winning 1963 BSA Kirby sidecar outfit

Key facts

Year

1963
Country

Great Britain
Capacity

654cc
Cylinders

2 cylinder
Valves

Overhead valve
Output

56bhp at 6,900rpm
Performance

112mph (1968 TT speed trap)
Price new

Not marketed
Loaned by

Private Owner
Manufacturer

Terry Vinicombe

This Kirby BSA sidecar outfit was ridden to victory in the 750cc class of the 1968 Isle of Man Sidecar TT by Terry Vinicombe and his passenger John Flaxman, the last British machine to win the event. The pair raced it with success in the World Championship in the mid and late 1960s, at a time when the sport was dominated by BMW powered outfits.

Originally Triumph powered, Vinicombe later fitted the outfit with a BSA A50, 500cc engine. This was exchanged for a 654cc, BSA A65 engine for the inaugural 750cc sidecar TT in 1968. From 1966 Vinicombe and Flaxman were sponsored by Tom Kirby, who also backed such famous riders as Mike Hailwood and Bill Ivy.