BSA

1915

BSA

1920 Model E

BSA

1939 M23 Silver Star

BSA

1954 250cc

BSA

1963 A10R

BSA

1971 Rocket III

BSA

B40 Trials

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BSA Motorcycles - An Historical Overview

1880 Bicycle manufacture led to the supply of parts to the motorcycle trade.



BSA 1903 Spring Frame

Report from the 1902 Stanley Show

Stand 250. The Birmingham Small Arms Co., Ltd., Birmingham. While not taking up the manufacture of motor-bicycles themselves, the well-known B.S.A. Company are not overlooking the growing popularity of the motor-propelled machine. A set of cycle fittings, specially adapted for the building up of motor-bicycles, was introduced last year. To meet the demand for a frame to stand the strains of the increased power of the motors now being used, and the consequently larger size of tyres, a new set of fittings has been introduced for the 1903 season. An examination of this shows that no point has been overlooked. We were pleased to notice that special attention had been devoted to the question of the strength of the front forks, the failure of which would have disastrous results. The B.S.A. Company have fully recognised this, and with the fork they have produced have no fear of its use with motors up to 2.5 horse-power. Another feature of note is that the hubs are not simply those used on cycles, but are made much stronger than usual.

Motor Cycling, 26th November 1902

1904 Parts could be used by other firms to produce machines using Minerva engines.

1910 Entry into market with single model that remained as standard - reflecting quality of materials and design. First model had vertically-mounted 3.5hp engine, chain-driven magneto, sprung forks and excellent finish. Within six months from their launching, BSA's were selling well. The machines were easily distinguishable from rival makes by their yellow and green painted tanks. A TT rear-hub, two-speed model was soon added.

1915 There was a choice between the 85x88 3.5hp model and the 85x98 4.25hp model. This latter machine was offered as being especially suitable for sidecar work. It also had the three-speed BSA gearbox with foot controlled clutch that was introduced in 1914 and a double barrel BSA carburettor. Both models could be had in chain-cum-belt version or in all chain drive with encased chains, which made the machine three pounds and five shillings more expensive.

World War I. During the war, production ceased while they pursued their traditional manufacturing, making guns, but returned quickly following the armistice.

1919 The company made their first V-twins.

Early 1920s. They acquired an engineer and designer from Daimler called Harold Briggs who designed new sporting machines for them, including their popular 493cc ohv Sloper of 1928.

1928 They made their first and only two-stroke, a 175cc unit construction bike, for only one season.

1930s BSA's famous Star series started in the 1930s with the Blue Star singles in 250cc, 350cc and 500cc versions. The Empire Stars followed.

1936 Major changes were introduced by Val Page, who was formerly of Ariel and Triumph, and who revised and simplified models that were no longer economical to produce. His work remained in production until the 1960s. They took over Sunbeam from AMC.

1939 BSA became the largest motorcycle company in the world between the wars. In 1939, the company owned 67 factories across the UK. During the war, they made 126,000 M20 motorcycles - among their other war production.

1944 The company acquired Ariel, and by the end of the war BSA also acquired New Hudson.

1946 Post-war production saw expansion of the company, models using off-road tyres and much more chrome-plating. They announced a new competition model, the 350cc B31.

1947 The BSA Bantam was introduced, and was to become the company's most successful model. Over the following 25 years over a quarter of a million Bantams were produced.


BSA 1952 Bantam to Golden Flash


BSA 1956 B31 Sales Brochure


BSA 1960 Factory Brochure


BSA Bantam 1968 Brochure cover

1950s Scooters were gaining popularity. Two models were announced but neither did well.

1951 The company bought Triumph.

1961 Employs 4,300 persons.

1968 Queen's Award to Industry for Export Achievement.

1971 Company reorganisation centred production at the Triumph site and together BSA and Triumph launched ranges which included many new models using common parts, such as forks and wheels. By this time the company was in deep financial trouble as, although an industrial giant, the company proved unable to compete well against the Japanese. The 1971 lineup saw major makeovers, including oil-in-frame 650cc twins. BSA was bought by Norton (owned by Manganese Bronze) and absorbed into the Norton-Villiers-Triumph group in 1971, which managed to design an uncomfortably tall A65 Lightning at Umberslade Hall before BSA collapsed.

1972 BSA had to make major cut-backs, soon to be followed by the demolition of the factory at Small Heath.

1973 The name was finally abandoned and production ended.

1979 The name of BSA survived as mopeds and small motorcycles were assembled from imported components. Many of these machines were built for third-world countries and the services.

For purists, the end of the line had come in 1972.

Note: The UK rights to the BSA name were acquired by the Canadian Aquilini family. BSA Co. was sold and a US company (Bill Colquhuon's BSA Co.) used the name for Rotax-engined military bikes and Yamaha-based Bushman machines for developing nations. In 1991, Andover Norton and BSA Co. merged to create BSA Group, which was taken over in 1994 to form BSA Regal. They announced a new Gold SR using a Yamaha SR400 engine in a Gold Star styled chassis.

BSA Models, Edwardian Era to the 1970s

Source: Graces Guide