Spotlight on BSA Motorcycles

BSA was a powerhouse of British industry, producing firearms, ammunition, military equipment, bicycles and vehicles -- including motorcycles. Founded in 1861 by a group of gunsmiths, by 1945 the company had 67 factories and a seemingly secure future. In 1972 the company was largely bankrupt and assets were sold off. Along the way, BSA acquired other iconic British motorcycle brands including Sunbeam (1943), Ariel (1944), Triumph (1951) and combined with Norton Villiers in 1973.

The first wholly BSA motorcycle, the 499cc 3.5hp was built in 1910 and debuted in 1911 with the entire production sold out. The bike was notable for its front forks which are claimed to be the first ever example of cantilever springing. Also of BSA's own design was the two-speed hub gear using a concentric-cone clutch.

BSA motorcycles quickly gained a reputation for being reliable and affordable with strong dealer support. A 4.5hp model was produced for sidecar use and this was adapted for military use during the 1914-18 war.

In a stunt that showcased the reliability of BSA parts, manufacturers built a machine from spare parts bought from a number of dealers throughout the country. The resultant machine started first kick, demonstrating the remarkable precision with which BSA fabricated their components. The green and cream tank colours were to become familiar for decades with BSA producing such classics as the Round Tank and Sloper of the 1920s, and the Stars of the 1930s - Blue, Empire, Silver and Gold. Postwar, the Gold Star returned to become a cult model, while other models had exotic names such as Rockets, Spitfires, Barracudas and Shooting Stars. Later came the Rocket 3.

A new model was added in 1920, the E with a 6-7hp V-twin engine. It had a magneto at the front, a three-speed gearbox and both drivetrains enclosed by cases. It set the pattern of BSA twins until 1940.

In 1928 BSA produced their first model to be fitted with a two-stroke engine of 174cc and a two-speed gearbox. It was called the A29 and A30, before becoming the A31 with a three-speed gearbox in 1931, the last year of production.

In 1929, all models (except the G) received a saddle petrol tank and more engines were inclined, Sloper style. A stencilled red star on the timing case (the start of the star models, which were to come later) distinguished specially tuned versions of the Sloper engine.

Following the Great Depression, BSA released the Blue Star singles in 1932 and the 499cc engine replaced the 493cc. 1934 saw the model J V-twin, model X and for one year only the model FF, a 499cc machine with a fluid flywheel and preselector gearbox.

Under the direction of Val Page, from 1937 BSA's new designs were concentrated into just two motorcycle ranges - the light B and the heavier M. The B range used both 249 and 348cc engines, with sport models designated as Empire Stars. The M range included one 349cc and 496cc and 596cc side valve models. For 1938 the C10 was added using a 249cc side valve engine with coil ignition. Also added this year was the M24, which became better known as the Gold Star. It had an all alloy bench tested engine, along with sports features.

The following year the C range grew with the addition of the 249cc ohv C11, while Silver Stars replaced the Empire Star models. During WWII BSA produced a large quantity of ordinance motorcycles, the bulk of these being 496cc M20s.

BSA released a four-model range in 1946, which comprised the C10, C11 and M20 and the new B31. The range quickly expanded with the 591cc M21, followed by the B32. The C models changed to telescopic front forks and later in the year a new V-twin, the A7, was announced.

In 1949 the A7 Star Twin and the Gold Star names were revived. A larger V-twin, the 646cc A10 Golden Flash was added in 1950. In 1954 the BSA sport twins were named the A7 Shooting Star and A10 Road Rocket.

For 1958, BSA previewed two new scooter models -- the 200cc Breeza and the 70cc Dandy scooterette, with the latter going into production in 1957. The following year the D3 Bantam was enlarged to become the D5 and the sports A10 became the Super Rocket.

In 1958 BSA launched a new series of unit construction singles, the C15 based on the design of the Triumph Tiger Cub. In 1959 two new scooter models were launched, offered as the BSA-Sunbeam or as the Triumph, with different colour and badging. The models were virtually identical using a Bantam two-stroke engine, or a new 249cc ohv twin, and four-speed gearbox from the Triumph Cub. Neither model was particularly successful.

In 1959 the A10RGS was called the Rocket Gold Star, which was an outstanding machine, thanks largely to the fact that BSA used a number of special parts. It was to be the final form of the A10 series.

In 1962 the Dandy scooter and the 348cc Gold Star were dropped, along with the larger Gold Star a year later. There were five new twin models in 1965 (four for export only) with the A65R Rocket the only model for local consumption. The last Gold Star was made in 1962.

In 1966 BSA put a broom through its motorcycle range with new coding and the discontinuation of many models. The twin range was reduced to six models.

Boosting the range in 1968 was the A75 Rocket 3, along with the similar Triumph T150 Trident. In the late 1960s other models included the Thunderbolt, Lightning, Hornet and Spitfire models. In the early 1970s BSA produced 173cc Bantam two-strokes, 247cc and 441cc Starfires and Shooting Stars with ohv single-cylinder engines, 654cc Thunderbolt twins, the popular 654cc Lightning twin and the Firebird, a 654cc twin cylinder 55bhp scrambler.

A T65 Thunderbolt was available in 1973, but it was essentially a Triumph TR6 with BSA badges. The merger with Norton Villiers started in late 1972, with the last four BSA models available in 1973 being the Gold Star 500, 650 Thunderbolt/Lightning and the 750cc Rocket 3.

Once England's leading motorcycle factory, BSA ceased production in 1972 - but the name lives on, with numerous collectable models still in demand.

Source: JUST BIKES, July 2010, Collectors Issue #253