BSA Golden Flash - A10

BSA motorcycles

The BSA Golden Flash is a British motorcycle that led the rise of the parallel twin that was to dominate British design throughout the 1950's and 60's. The Golden Flash was available in black and chrome but it was the all-over gold paint scheme that gave it its name and made it such a popular escape from post war austerity.

Development

Designed by BSA Chief designer Herbert Perkins, former Triumph designer Val Page (who developed the first parallel 650cc twin) also contributed.

Launched in October 1949 the A10 Golden Flash was a new design that was developed into a best selling range of motorcycles right through to the 1962 Rocket Gold Star. The original A10 Golden Flash was produced with a rigid frame for sidecar use and plunger suspension for overseas export. [2] These exports were so important to post war British industry that the bulk of the production went to the USA meaning long delivery times for UK customers[3]. A lot of parts, including the duplex frame and wheels, were straight from the 500cc A7 - which saved time in design and production and had the advantage of greater reliability as there were few technical problems.[1] BSA were concerned about the way that the wear in the plunger suspension made for uncertain handling and it was replaced in 1954 with a modern swinging arm.

The Golden Flash A10 was developed into the Super Flash and Road Rocket before becoming the 105 miles per hour (169 km/h) BSA Super Rocket in 1958. This was nearly the end of the line of A10's but in 1962 BSA produced the BSA Rocket Gold Star which fitted a tuned A10 Super Rocket engine into the well proven BSA Gold Star single frame. The result was a good handling fast bike that was a true classic. Surviving models are in such demand today that 'fakes' (using Super Rocket parts) are sold as originals.