To Talk the Torque.
The first assignment for Bert Hopwood (originally of Norton and Edward Turner’s protégé) at BSA was to create a motorcycle with more torque. He quickly designed, built and prototyped the BSA A10 650cc ‘Golden Flash’ twin which was announced in October 1949 and joined BSA's 500cc A7 model. More than just enlarge an A7, Hopwood spayed the exhaust ports of the Golden Flash to improve cooling, specified a large crank and stronger crankshaft and provided an oil trough to give consistent lubrication to the camshaft. Mildly tuned, the Golden Flash delivered a solid 35 at 5,500rmp, was economical and relaxed and well within its limits on the other side of 100mph. The new 650 was strikingly finished in pale beige metallic livery. In 1955, the Golden Flash was updated with the swinging-arm frame and separate gearbox and continued in essentially this form until production ceased in 1962. Many different types of A models were produced with great names like ‘Super Flash’ and ‘Road Rocket’. The A models were very simple in their look and were not noted for their extravagance but celebrated for their reliability and oil tightness. Price was a major reason for their staying popular and winning the hearts and minds of thousands of motorcyclists at the time. It’s fair to say that the A model became a trademark design of BSA. An extremely robust and confident motorcycle.

Image and text courtesy Webbs Auctions
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