BSA Rocket Gold Star

The BSA Rocket Gold Star is a British motorcycle that marked the final stage of development of the BSA A10 twins. With a specially tuned A10 Super Rocket engine in the well proven BSA Gold Star single frame, BSA created a very fast bike (for the time) with good handling fast bike that became 'classic'. Surviving models are in such demand today that 'fakes' (using Super Rocket parts) are sold as originals.

Development

Launched in February 1962 the total BSA Rocket Gold Star production was 1584 bikes, of which 272 were off-road scramblers[1]. The Super Rocket compression was increased from 8.25 to 9:1 with a BSA Spitfire camshaft and an Amal Monobloc carburettor gave 46bhp as standard. Options such as Siamese exhausts and a close-ratio RRT2 gearbox could increase this to 50bhp - and add 30% to the price. [2] Nine specials were made for export to California and one was fitted with a sidecar by Watsonian for the Earls Court Show in October 1962.

The main reason for the demise of the popular Rocket Gold Star was the emergence of new unit construction successors, which meant that production ended in 1963.

The '''BSA Spitfire''' was a British motorcycle launched in 1966. One of the first BSA's to have 12-volt electrics, the Spitfire was also one of the first ''street racers'' with two large-bore Amal GP carburettors, complete with velocity stacks.

The Spitfire had a new twin-downtube steel frame and new Girling shocks. A 190mm front drum brake improved braking and and lightweight alloy rims reduced the weight to 174kg.

The 1968 MkIV Spitfire was the last made. Amal's new Concentric carburettors were combined with twin-leading-shoe front brakes and independently adjustable Lucas ignition points for easier starting. Engine power output was increased to 53 bhp.