Britain's largest and most successful
motorcycle manufacturer was BSA (Birmingham
Small Arms Company).
Their factory at Small Heath was a familiar
Birmingham landmark for more than a hundred years and produced a wide range of
motorcycles from the humble Bantam to the formidable Rocket with its
three-cylinder ohv engine mounted transversely.
BSA motorcycle history.
| Bike |
Image |
Description |
| BSA Ladies Winged Wheel |
 |
|
| BSA WM20, Flattank and Sloper |
 |
- WM 20 /1939 with austian FELBER
sidecar
- BSA Flattank 1923
- BSA Sloper
|
| 1914 BSA Flatank |
 |
- 550cc, SV
- H.P. = 4,25
- Carburetor:Brown/Barlow
- Ignation : Lucas mag
|
| 1915 BSA H, 557cc |
 |
|
| 1915 BSA K, 557cc |
 |
|
| 1916 BSA Model K 550cc |
 |
|
| 1918 BSA H, 557cc |
 |
|
| 1919 BSA K, 557cc |
 |
|
| 1921 BSA Model A, 770cc |
 |
|
| 1921 BSA A, 770cc |
 |
|
| 1921 BSA A 5/7 HP Combo, 770cc |
 |
|
1922 BSA V-Twin 770cc
|
 |
Model E1 De Luxe. |
| 1923 BSA Model L |
 |
349cc, 2bhp. |
| 1924 BSA H3, 557cc |
 |
|
| 1924 BSA Round Tank |
 |
- 249cc, SV
- PS :2,49 /2500 u/min
- Carburetor: Amac
- Ignation: BTH mag
More BSA
Round Tank information. |
| 1925 BSA 557cc Model H25 |
 |
Picture kindly provided by - www.roncobb.com |
| 1926 BSA S 26 |
 |
500cc. |
| 1926 BSA Round Tank Deluxe |
 |
2.49hp. |
| BSA Round Tank |
 |
249cc |
| 1927 BSA S27, 500cc |
 |
|
| 1927 BSA G14 1000cc V Twin Vintage Motor
Cycle Combination |
 |
The end of hostilities on the 11th
November 1918 resulted in a profound change
taking place in society, demobilised soldiers
were returning to civilian life having
been introduced to mechanical transport
by the military. The motorcycle manufacturers,
returning to civilian production were
keen to exploit the potential new market,
which by 1924 saw the number of motorcycles
on the road pass the 500,000. Many of
these were lightweights providing basic
transport, however, the sidecar was becoming
increasingly popular as a means of transport
for the more affluent when attached to
a single or one of the large capacity
vee-twins.
Introduced during 1921, the 770cc BSA
twin was available with the option of
a number of factory built sidecars, although
it could be ordered as solo and fitted
with a "chair" produced by one
of the many specialist manufacturers.
|
| 1928 BSA Sloper |
 |
BSA Sloper
gallery |
| 1930 BSA B4 250cc OHV |
 |
|
| 1930 BSA B30-4 |
 |
250cc, OHV, 3-speed. |
| 1932 BSA Bluestar |
 |
- 500cc, OHV
- KW =18/5200 u/min
- Carburetor: 276 Amal
- Ignitation: Magdyno Lucas
|
| 1932 BSA Blue Star 500cc single |
 |
|
| 1932 BSA |
 |
350 OHV. |
| 1932 BSA |
 |
500 OHV. |
| 1933 BSA B33/2 |
 |
250cc.
Image supplied by www.andybuysbikes.com
BSA
B33 Gallery |
| 1934 150cc BSA X34-0 |
 |
Image kindly provided by www.cheffins.co.uk.
|
| 1934 BSA G34 |
 |
Throughout the 1930's BSA concentrated
on producing competitively priced, reliable,
good quality motorcycles supported by
an extensive dealer network which enabled
the compny to survive the economic turmoil
that closed many of their rivals. At the
head of the range was the G series sidvalve
twins intended primarily for sidecar work.
Displacing 985cc these handsome beasts
were offered with the option of factory
fitted sidecars and came fully equipped
with electric lighting systems, footboards
and carriers.
Image provided by www.classic-auctions.com.
|
| 1934 BSA B341 |
 |
1934 B341 model - side valve. The bike
was despatched to EARNSHAW OF HUDDERSFIELD
ON 16 MARCH 1934 and it still retains the
original factory fitted engine (see Earnshaw
badge on front mudguard). |
| 1935 BSA Blue Star |
 |
499cc. It bears the BSA 85 badge which
meant that when it originally left the
factory it was guaranteed to do 85mhp.
W35-8 Blue Star despatched to Talbot
Bros Henley On Thames on 21st February
1935. |
| 1935 BSA B1 |
 |
250cc |
| 1935 BSA V -E 30-14 |
 |
- 770cc, SV (Twin)
- PS =25 / 3500 u/min
- Carburetor: Amal
- Ignation: Lucac Magdyno
|
| 1935 BSA B2 |
 |
250cc, overhead valvle, very rare. |
| 1936 BSA 500 V-Twin |
 |
|
| 1936 BSA B2 |
 |
250cc Rigid Frame. This Classic British
Bike features a 3 speed Hand Change Gearbox,
Rigid Rear End, Girder Forks, Exposed Valves
and a Constant Loss Oil System. |
| 1936 BSA B-2 |
 |
250cc overhead valve. |
|
| 1937 BSA M21 |
 |
600cc Side valve. This model was only
produced for one year, after this there
were big changes. In 1937 this bike had
an 85mm bore after 37 they had an 82mm
bore. The numbers are very low and was
one of the first 1000 bikes produced.
BSA M21
gallery |
|
| 1937 BSA B26 |
 |
- Engine - 350cc OHV Sports
- Bore - 71 mm and stroke 88mm
- Dry sump pressure fed oil system,
aluminium alloy high compression piston
- Transmission - 4 speed constant mesh
gearbox. Constant wheelbase front forks
with shock
- Absorbers with finger adjustment and
steering damper
|
|
| 1937 BSA B21 |
 |
Sports Racer. Rebored to 300cc. new big
end, sports cams, larger valves, competition
clutch, alloy rims and levers, Norton 8"
front brake.
|
|
| 1939 BSA B21 |
 |
250cc.
Image supplied by www.andybuysbikes.com |
|
| 1939 BSA KM 23 |
 |
|
|
| 1939-1942 BSA Airborne Folding Paratroopers
Bike
|
 |
BSA Airborne bicycles have become
quite sought-after in recent years, and
this one is in good operational order.
If you fancy a genuine World War 2 vehicle,
this model must surely represent the cheapest
option.
The BSA Airborne Bicycle was developed
at a time when the only British Troop-carrying
glider was the Hotspur. Like the Welbike,
transport for the Para's was needed that
was small and could easily be transported.
As a result, BSA, who made the M20 Motorbike,
developed a bicycle that could be folded
in half so a paratrooper could jump out
of an aircraft with it. When folded out,
it was used as a conventional bicycle.
They were used in all the major landing
such as D-day and Arnhem. More
info. |
|
| 1940 BSA M20 |
 |
- Engine - 469cc, single-cylinder side-valve
four-stroke
- Bore and Stroke - 82 x 94 mm
- Launched - 1937-1955
- Compression Ratio - 4.9:1
- Power - 13bhp @ 4200 rpm
- Top Speed - 60 mph
BSA M20
gallery |
| 1938 BSA G14, 986cc |
 |
|
|
|
| 1946 BSA C10 T |
 |
BSA
C10 Gallery |
| 1947 BSA Model B32 |
 |
|
| 1948 BSA A7 |
 |
500cc, 170kg.
BSA
A7 Star Twin gallery |
|
| BSA Bantam |
 |
- Production - 1948-1963
- Engine - piston-ported, two-stroke
single
- Bore and Stroke - 52 x 28 mm
- Capacity - 123cc
- Power - 4.5bhp @ 5000rpm
- Top Speed - 50mph
Picture kindly provided by www.vintagebike.co.uk.
More BSA Bantam
info.. |
| 1949 BSA ZB31 Trials |
 |
This is a straightforward example of the
long running 350cc OHV BSA built up in trials
trim with alloy guards etc. |
|
| BSA A10 Golden Flash |
 |
- Production - 1950-1961
- Engine - twin-cylinder ohv, four-stroke
- Bore and Stroke - 70 x 84 mm
- Capacity - 646cc
- Power - 35bhp @ 4500rpm
- Weight - 395lb. BSA
A10 Golden Flash
BSA
A10 Golden Flash gallery |
| 1949 BSA B31 |
 |
BSA announced their post war range,
consisting of four models, in August 1945,
headed by the sporting B31. The new model
was derived utilised the M series crankcases
endowing it with a "bombproof"
bottom end fitted with an over head valve
top end. Early models relied on telescopic
forks and saddle springs to provide rider
comfort and it was not until 1949 when
the machine offered was built that the
option of a plunger sprung frame became
available.
Image provided by www.classic-auctions.com.
BSA B31
gallery
|
| 1949 BSA Bantam D1 |
 |
Rigid model.
BSA
Bantam D1 gallery |
| 1950 BSA Gold Star Model ZB 32 |
 |
BSA
Gold Star gallery |
|
|
|
| 1951 BSA C11 |
 |
BSA C11G
gallery |
| 1952 BSA MC1 |
 |
|
| 1952 BSA M33 |
 |
500cc |
| 1952 Powerpak Synchromatic on BSA Gents
Cycle |
 |
Sinclair Goddard & Co Ltd was
chosen by the Council of Industrial Design
to exhibit the Powerpak at the 1951 Festival
of Britain. It was shown at the South
Bank and also in the travelling exhibition
that went around the country. |
|
| 1953 BSA BD2 |
 |
148cc. |
| 1954 BSA RGS Replica 650cc |
 |
Goldie tank, twin chronos, sep headlight,
full width 9in Goldie FB with rocket cases,
chrome guards, red label mag, new rims spokes
etc. |
| 1954 BSA M21 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 1955 BSA RGS Replica 650cc |
 |
|
|
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|
| 1956 BSA 350 |
 |
|
| 1956 BSA DB34 Clubman |
 |
|
| 1956 BSA Major |
 |
|
| 1957 BSA Dandy |
 |
49cc. BSA
Dandy gallery |
| 1957 BSA Winged Wheel |
 |
1957 BSA Winged Wheel on BSA Ladies
Bicycle, The BSA Winged Wheel made its
debut in 1953. The Winged Wheel was also
the only powerwheel available to the British
market besides the Cyclemaster. So although
cycle attachments were displaced by mopeds,
the Winged Wheel did hang in there for
a few years and quite a few were sold.
Image provided by www.BuyVintage.co.uk.
|
|
| 1957 BSA A10 plunger |
 |
|
| BSA C12 |
 |
|
| 1957 BSA C12 250cc |
 |
The C12 used the same engine as the
earlier C11G but in a more modern chassis.
It had reasonable suspension, usable brakes
and comfortable seat which meant it was
more useful than the earlier models. Minor
engine modifications meant it was also
far more reliable. |
| BSA Bantam Trials pre65 |
 |
- D7 Frame with brace
- D7 engine with d10 175cc barrell (different
ports) Fully rebuilt motor
- Amal Concentric carb
- Widened S-ARM
- Cub hubs
- Special One off oiltank and air box
all in one.
- Sammy Miller Footrests
- Sammy Miller Chain tensioner
- BSA Yokes and Forks
- Honda r shocks
- Alloy Mudguards
|
| 1957 BSA A7 Shooting Star |
 |
Launched in 1954, the A7 Shooting Star
had a swing-arm frame, high lift cams, alloy
cylinder head and Amal monobloc 376 carburettor.
The British twin was highly rated, being
nearly as fast as the thundering 650 Rocket,
though smoother and more economical. For
while it can reach nearly 100mph, an A7
is capable of returning 60mpg even when
ridden hard. |
| 1957 BSA Super Rocket |
 |
|
|
|
| 1957 BSA Royal Major D3 |
 |
BSA
Bantam D3 gallery |
| 1957 BSA M33 |
 |
The M model is designed to take a sidecar.
500cc, 17bhp. |
| 1958 BSA C12 |
 |
|
|
| BSA A7 500 |
 |
|
| 1958 BSA A7 Shooting Star |
 |
500cc. |
| 1959 BSA C15 |
 |
BSA C15
gallery |
| 1959 BSA Bantam |
 |
BSA Racing Bantam 125cc plunger frame
model. |
|
| 1959 BSA A10 650cc |
 |
BSA
A10 Super Rocket Gallery |
| 1959 BSA Bantam D7 |
 |
As well as making the legendary Gold
Star 4-stroke single, which was successful
both as a cafe racer for the road as well
as a popular steed for the Clubmans TT
on the IOM, their Bantam 2-stroke singles
of 125cc and 175cc capacity proved to
be a great hit with commuters.
BSA
Bantam D7 gallery
|
| 1959 BSA DB 32 |
 |
|
| 1960 BSA Dandy, 70cc |
 |
|
|
|
| 1960 BSA M21 |
 |
|
| 1960 BSA M21 |
 |
|
|
| 1961 BSA AA |
 |
|
| 1961 BSA Sunbeam |
 |
250cc scooter. |
|
|
|
|
| BSA A10 Rocket Goldstar |
 |
Legend has it that the Rocket Gold Star's
origins can be found in a special built
by Eddie Dow for a customer during 1959.
That machine utilised a Goldie rolling chassis
fitted with an A10 Rocket engine, a combination
that worked so well Mr Dow passed the details
to Small Heath. The machine that eventually
emerged during 1962 met with universal praise
at the time and is regarded today as one
of the most desirable classic British motorcycles.
The Gold Star rolling chassis offered fine
handling and braking whilst the A10 engine
fitted with a light alloy head, sports profile
camshaft and 9.0:1 compression ratio produced
a healthy 46bhp without the cantankerous
low speed behaviour that characterised a
GP equipped Gold Star single. Fitted with
a close ratio gearbox as standard and offered
with a range of options including alloy
racing fuel tanks, a racing "silencer"
that was claimed to offer another 4bhp and
alloy wheel rims it quickly established
itself as a favourite of the cafÚ'
racer crowd and production racer. |
|
| 1962 BSA A10 Rocket Goldstar |
 |
The bike is quite standard with the high
compression A10 motor and the RRT2 close
ratio gearbox. Normal magneto ignition,
alloy rims and twin clocks. |
| 1962 BSA A65 Star Twin |
 |
|
| BSA A65 Star Twin |
 |
|
| 1962 BSA Super Rocket |
 |
Totally rebuilt to Rocket Goldstar spec.
Polished stainless everywhere - original
190 front hub, original RGS siamese pipes,
rebuilt DA10R motor. |
| 1962 BSA A50 |
 |
500cc. |
| 1962 BSA Scrambler 500 |
 |
|
| BSA A65 |
 |
- Production - 1962-1972
- Engine - twin-cylinder ohv, four-stroke
- Bore and Stroke - 75 x 74 mm
- Capacity - 654cc
- Power - 54bhp @ 4500rpm
- Weight - 383lb
More BSA A65
information..
Picture kindly provided by www.vintagebike.co.uk |
|
| 1963 BSA Victor Roadster |
 |
|
| 1963 BSA A65 |
 |
BSA announced the new A65 and A50 unit
twins for the 1962 model season. Both
models were considerably lighter than
their predecessors thanks to the employment
of unit construction for the engine and
gearbox, although the mechanical architecture
was little changed from the previous pre
unit twins. The styling reflected the
"clean" lines of the engine
and gearbox resulting in a fresh uncluttered
look for the machines. Development would
see the unit twins continue in production
until the collapse of BSA in the early
seventies with higher tuned variants appearing,
however, it is arguable that the first
series of machines were and are among
the best of the breed.
Image provided by www.classic-auctions.com.
|
| 1963 BSA C15 |
 |
|
| 1963 BSA Sunbeam Scooter |
 |
BSA B2 - Launched at Grosvenor House
during 1959, the BSA groups entry into
the scooter market was offered as a single
cylinder 175cc two stroke or a twin cylinder
250cc four stroke. Badged as either a
Sunbeam or Triumph Tigress, the new model
was supported by an extensive range of
accessories.
More
BSA Sunbeam info.. |
| 1964 BSA Beagle |
 |
75cc. |
| 1964 BSA A65 Lightning Clubman |
 |
More BSA
A65 Lightning Clubman info...
BSA
A65 Lightning Clubman gallery |
|
| 1964 BSA A50 |
 |
Introduced as a replacement for the A7,
the unit construction A50 was virtually
a detuned 650cc twin. The softer engine
characteristics appeal to many enthusiasts,
who value comfort above speed, and ride
for enjoyment and especially now that these
machines are used for mainly pleasure rather
than to get to and from the workplace. |
| 1964 BSA A65T Thunderbolt |
 |
BSA
A65 Thunderbolt gallery |
| 1964 BSA B40 |
 |
|
| 1964 BSA Beagle |
 |
|
| 1965 BSA Hornet Spitfire |
 |
650cc. BSA
Spitfire gallery |
| 1965 BSA Beagle |
 |
75cc. A complete bike in miniature with
scaled down Tiger Cub ohv 4 stroke engine
and 4 speed box. Launched in 1963, production
ceased in 1965. |
|
|
|
| 1966 BSA Cheney Goldstar |
 |
Eric Cheney had a successful career
as a rider from 1946 until 1961 before
applying his talents to the manufacture
of beautifully prepared scramblers utilising
his own frames. Many of these housed heavyweight
singles produced by Matchless and BSA
although from the mid to late '60s unit
Beeza singles and Triumph twins became
more significant.
During 1966 Eric Cheney produced a batch
of oil in frame Gold Star powered scramblers,
one of which was purchased by the vendor
of this example. Another was supplied
to Keith Hickman for use in that years
European Championship during which he
secured a victory at the Mogens Rasmussen
round.
Although the vendor of this machine
sold his original example during 1967/68
he harboured a desire to acquire another
which was fulfilled in 2006 with the purchase
of the one offered. The machine had originally
been built during 1966 and supplied to
Richard Brough who kept the bike for the
subsequent forty years. During that time
it was maintained by Jack Smith of Birmingham.
|
| 1966 BSA B40 |
 |
BSA B40
gallery |
|
|
| 1967 BSA Victor 441 |
 |
BSA
Victor 441 gallery |
| 1967 BSA B44 Victor Roadster |
 |
|
| 1967 BSA Bantam |
 |
|
| 1967 BSA Bantam Bushman |
 |
175cc, 14 bhp. |
| 1967 BSA C25 Barracuda |
 |
|
| 1967 BSA D10, 175cc |
 |
BSA
Bantam D10 gallery |
| 1967 BSA Starfire |
 |
BSA produced several variations of
their unit constuction OHV 250 single,
introduced in 1958, and the restyled C25
was reasonably successful with its chrome
guards and squared off alloy barrel. It
represented a move forward for BSA, though
some would say a little too late when
compared to the competition.
BSA
Starfire gallery
|
| 1967 BSA Royal Star 650 |
 |
|
| 1967 BSA Royal Star 500 |
 |
|
| BSA Bantam Trials Bike |
 |
A very nice BSA bantam D1 Plunger with
a 150cc engine. The Bantam proved to be
amenable to use off road from the outset
and the factory introduced a competition
model during 1950 based on the D1 125cc
model. The success of the early competition
models was not exploited by BSA who subsequently
ignored their little two stroke until the
late sixties, however owners continued to
modify the little bike for off road use
with considerable success. |
| 1968 BSA B44 |
 |
441cc, 35bhp. Cafe Racer Special.
|
| 1971 BSA Rocket 3 |
 |
- Engine - 740cc, three-cylinder ohv
four-stroke
- Bore and Stroke - 67 x 70 mm
- Launched - 1968-1972
- Compression Ratio - 9.5:1
- Gearbox - four-speed in unit
- Power - 60bhp @ 7250 rpm
- Weight - 490lb
- Wheelbase - 57in
- Top Speed - 120 mph. BSA
Rocket 3, more info..
BSA
Rocket 3 gallery |
|
| 1968 BSA D14/4 |
 |
BSA
Bantam D14 gallery |
| 1968 BSA Cheney BSA 441 AHRMA |
 |
|
| 1968 BSA Bantam 175 Sport |
 |
BSA
Bantam 175 gallery |
|
|
| 1968 BSA Bushman |
 |
BSA
Bushman road test |
| 1968 BSA Bantam D13 |
 |
|
| 1969 BSA B25 Fleetstar |
 |
|
| 1969 BSA A65 Racing Sidecar Outfit |
 |
Special ex competition dept crankcases,
gas flowed head, lightened and balanced
end fed crank. 750cc. |
|
|
| 1969 BSA A65 Firebird 650 |
 |
BSA
A65 Firebird gallery |
|
|
|
|
|
| 1969 BSA 250 Fleetstar |
 |
|
| 1969 BSA Ariel 3 |
 |
BSA
Ariel 3 Gallery |
| 1970 BSA 350 Fury SS Prototype |
 |
Extremely rare & authentic prototype
BSA 350 cc Fury SS. |
| 1970 BSA Fleetstar |
 |
250cc. |
| 1970 BSA Bantam B175 |
 |
|
| 1970 BSA Bantam |
 |
|
| 1970 BSA B25 S |
 |
250cc |
|
| 1970 BSA Royal Star |
 |
|
|
|
| 1971 BSA Fury |
 |
|
| 1971 BSA B50SS |
 |
|
| 1970 BSA Bantam D175 |
 |
The BSA Bantam is a two-stroke unit construction
motorcycle that was produced by BSA from
1948 to 1971. Over 250,000 were sold - some
estimates place the number closer to half
a million. BSA Bantam history. |
|
| 1970 BSA B44 Shooting Star |
 |
|
| 1971 BSA B25 SS |
 |
250cc. |
|
|
| 1971 BSA Bantam |
 |
BSA introduces a revised version of
the popular Bantam during 1969. The new
model although visually similar to the
D14/4 that it replaced adopted more substantial
forks and featured a revised engine offering
better performance. The D175's engine
employed new crankcases and cylinder,
a revised head with a central spark plug
and a stiffer crankshaft.
Image provided by www.classic-auctions.com.
|
| 1971 BSA Metisse |
 |
Air cooled, four stroke, transverse three
cylinder, OHV, 2 valve per cylinder. |
| 1971 BSA A65L |
 |
|
|
| 1971 BSA B50-MX |
 |
BSA B50-MX
gallery |
|
|
| 1972 BSA Fleetstar |
 |
Ex-police, 250cc. |
| 1973 BSA 500MX |
 |
|
| 1974 BSA Antig |
 |
2003 british classic 350 grasstrack
championship winning machine. |
| 1980 BSA Beaver |
 |
|
| 1980 BSA Beaver |
 |
50cc. |
| 1980 BSA Brugand |
 |
49cc. BSA Brigand sports moped, the last
gasp/first gasp of the ailing BSA empire/BSA
regals first(ish) venture. Actually it's
a moped made in italy and badged BSA. |
| BSA A10r |
 |
|
| BSA Tempest |
 |
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