BSA Super Rocket

The BSA Super Rocket was a 646 cc (39.4 cu in) air-cooled parallel twin motorcycle produced by Birmingham Small Arms Company (BSA) at Small Heath, Birmingham introduced in 1957. It was an improved sports bike member of the BSA A10 series of motorcycles which was developed from the BSA Road Rocket. The A10 had a reputation for reliability but was struggling to compete against the Triumph engines and the Norton Featherbed frames.[1] The model was discontinued in 1963 when the unit-construction A65 was introduced.

BSA A10 Super Rocket
1963 BSA A10 Super Rocket.
ManufacturerBirmingham Small Arms Company (BSA)
Production1957–1963
PredecessorBSA Road Rocket
Engine646 cc (39.4 cu in) air cooled twin
TransmissionFour speed, chain drive
Wheelbase1,391 mm (54.75 in)
DimensionsL: 2,100 mm (84 in)

Development
1963 BSA A10 Super Rocket

Launched in 1957 the BSA Super Rocket retained the Amal TT carburettor and 356 sports cam of the Road Rocket. Compression ratio was raised to 8.5:1 and a new alloy cylinder head fitted.[2] The cylinder head had a cast in inlet manifold[3] and larger ports and valves. The inlet valves were increased from 1.455" to 1.5".[4] The crankshaft was stiffened compared to the previous models. These modifications increased power output to 43 bhp.[4] A lower 1st gear ratio gave increased acceleration off the line.[2] Cycle World, the American motorcycle magazine, tested the Super Rocket at 116 mph.[5]

New brakes were fitted to the model, full width hubs instead of the previous half width items. The front brake was 8" and the rear 7". Both were operated by cables.[4]

American models had a chrome rocket ornament on the front mudguard. It used the mounting holes that other markets used for the front number plate.[6] East Coast models had a 4 US gallon (3.3 imperial gallon) petrol tanks, wider "Twin-Solo" seat and "Laconia Bend" handlebars. West Coast models had a 2 US gallon (1.7 imp) tank for 1958/9 and 3 US gallon (2.5 imp) from 1960 on. The West Coast models also had a narrower "cushionaire" seat and "Gunter Bend" handlebars.[7] A tachometer was standard on US models.

UK models had a headlamp cowl (nacelle), deeper valenced mudguards and a tachometer was an optional extra.[8]

The 357 race camshaft was fitted in 1960[9] and the clutch was improved.[10] A larger 1 5/32" bore Monobloc carburettor was fitted in 1962.[11] These raised the power output to 46 bhp (34 kW).[4]

See also

Further reading
  • Bacon, Roy (1989). BSA A7/A10 Twins, All Models, 1946-1963. Niton Publishing. ISBN 9780951420454. ASIN 0951420453.
  • Henshaw, Peter (2008). BSA 500 & 650 Twins: The Essential Buyer's Guide. Veloce Publishing. ISBN 9781845841362.
  • Wright, Professor Owen (1984). BSA A7 & A10 Twins Super Profile (First ed.). G T Foulis & Co Ltd. ISBN 9780854294466. ASIN 0854294465.
  • BSA Twins A7 & A10 1946-1962: Road Test Book (First ed.). Brooklands Books. 1996. ISBN 9781855203365. ASIN 1855203367.

References
  1. "BSA Golden Flash on test". Classic Bike Guide. May 2008.
  2. "1960 BSA Super Rocket - Classic Motorcycle Review". Real Classic. Retrieved 7 July 2018.
  3. "Cylinder Heads". BSA Twincarb Site. Archived from the original on 5 November 2013. Retrieved 7 July 2018.
  4. "BSA Super Rocket". Old Bike Australia. 1 March 2018. Retrieved 8 July 2018 – via PressReader.
  5. "BSA Super Rocket Special". Classic Bike Guide. 1 March 2018. Retrieved 10 July 2018.
  6. "Model changes each year for USA Super Rocket Models". www.bsa.hailwood.com.
  7. "Eastern USA vs Western USA Super Rocket Models". www.bsa.hailwood.com. Retrieved 8 July 2018.
  8. "USA versus UK Super Rockets". www.bsa.hailwood.com. Retrieved 8 July 2018.
  9. American Motorcyclist. American Motorcyclist Assoc. 1960. p. 6.
  10. "Model changes each year for USA Super Rocket Models". www.webcitation.org. Archived from the original on 23 October 2009. Retrieved 10 July 2018.
  11. "Carburettor Settings – B.S.A" (PDF). Draganfly Motorcycles. Retrieved 7 July 2018.
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