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BSA Road Rocket

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Make Model

BSA Road Rocket

Year

1954 - 58

Engine

Four stroke parallel twin cylinder, OHV

Capacity

646 cc / 39.4 cub in.
Bore x Stroke 70 x 84 mm
Carburetor Amal
Cooling System Air cooled
Compression Ratio 7.2:1
Lubrication Dry sump
Exhaust Twin, stainless steel

Ignition 

Lucas magdyno

Battery

6V

Starting Kick start

Max Power

30 kW / 40 hp @ 6000 rpm
Clutch Multi-plate with bult-in cush drive

Transmission 

4 Speed
Final Drive Chain
Gear Ratio 1st 11.68 / 2nd 7.96 / 3rd 5.48 / 4th 4.53:1
Frame Welded seamless steel tubing with duplex downtubes and full cradle engine support, bolted-on rear sub frame

Front Suspension

Telescopic forks with coil spring - hydraulically damped

Rear Suspension

None or Plunger-type, with shock and rebound springs, undamped.

From 1954: Swinging arm

Front Brakes

Drum, 8 in.

Rear Brakes

Drum, 7 in.
Wheels Steel, wire spokes

Front Tyre

3.25 x 19 in., ribbed

Rear Tyre

4.00 x 19 in.

Dimensions

Length:  2100 mm / 84.0 in.

Wheelbase 1391 mm / 54.75 in.
Dry Weight 190 kg / 418 lbs

Fuel Capacity 

16 L / 4.2 US gal

Average Fuel Consumption

5.6 L/100 km / 17.9 km/l / 42 US mpg

Top Speed 175 km/h / 109 mph
Standing Quarter Mile (400 m) 16 sec.
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The A10 had a reputation for reliability but was struggling to compete against the Triumph engines and the Norton Featherbed frames. Advertised by BSA in 1954 as 'undoubtedly the worlds greatest motorcycle' the Road Rocket was discontinued in 1958 when it was replaced by the BSA Super Rocket.

Launched as the top of BSA's range in 1954 the BSA Road Rocket had an A10 engine with an alloy cylinder head, high compression pistons and a high lift camshaft, giving 40 bhp (30 kW) and a top speed of 109 mph (175 km/h).