BSA Road Rocket

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BSA Road Rocket

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.

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).