1965 Surfrider 90

[fahrkle]

Hello all!

What can people tell me about the Surfrider? I have never seen one and I just picked it up. It has odd tank badges, an odd shaped tank, different front fender, taillight, headlight.

It appears to be a pre-mix bike.

[mqtsteve]

There is not much info available, I've asked the same question.  The one in your photo appears to be an early BS90 deluxe (trail with street tires).  They do have a special tank badge.  May have been made for a specific dealer, that ordered many?  No ones been able to nail it down.  It's just a BS90 without oil injection.  If anyone can add more to this inquiry please do.  Thanks, Steve

[BS Mechanic]

Not at all certain, but I believe the "surfrider" was a different model.  That may be a standard 90 which someone has done a swap on and put surfrider badges on. 

Anyone else know details?  I don't claim to be an expert on the various models.  I do have what looks to be the same bike with "BS" badges on it (same as my first bike), and I remember seeing a different model with "surfrider" badges sitting new outside the hardware store in Cedar Falls IA back in the day.


Here's what I think a "surfrider" looks like:


Here's an attachment:

[mqtsteve]

You're right it's like the standard.  The deluxe has oil injection.  I've seen a few different versions with the "surfrider" name.  Both high and low exhaust, single and double seat in blue and black.  Too bad no one knows the story?  Steve

[paul]

Surfriders. A Bridgestone , without the BS?  From watching this web sight over the years and what I recall from growing up in the 1960s and 70s. Surfriders were rebadged , styled slightly different  versions of the  BS7  Sporster 50, the  BS 60 sport and the  BS  90  standard. I think they were listed for sale in the S & H green stamp catalog. Some regional retail stores or other catalog stores may have sold them. I don't know if  they were sold thru the BS. Dealer network. I never saw one there. Like most details of BS Rockford distribution, only Lew Emory knows for sure

[Jeff Bar]

Some info on this topic

Richard wrote a GREAT ARTICLE on this subject:  Jeff Bar

http://bridgestonemotorcycleparts.com/index.php?topic=150.0

[paul]

Thanks Jeff for sharing Richards article. I remember Monty Hall giving away a small BS or a Surfrider on Lets Make a Deal once. I wonder if there is a  list of all the prizes Monty gave out?  I could check my long term memory. Richard mentioned he was a factory Rockford  racer. Has he written about that?