BSA Golden Flash

Infobox Motorcycle
name=BSA A10 Golden Flash


aka=A10
manufacturer=flagicon|UK BSA
parent_company=
production=1950-61
predecessor=BSA A7
successor=BSA Super Rocket
class=
engine=646cc air cooled twin
wheelbase=convert|54.75|in|cm
length=convert|84|in|cm
width=
height=
seat height=
power=35 bhp @ 4500 rpm
torque=
dry weight=comvert|375|ib|kg
fuel_capacity=3.5 gallons
fuel_economy=
transmission=four speed gearbox to chain drive The BSA Golden Flash is a British motorcycle that led the rise of the "parallel twin" engine layout, which was to dominate British design throughout the 1950s and 60s. The Golden Flash was available in black and chrome, but it was the all-over gold paint scheme that gave it its name and made it such a popular escape from post war austerity.

Development

Designed by BSA chief designer Herbert Perkins, with former Triumph designer Val Page, who had developed the first parallel 650cc twin, also contributing.cite book | last = Kemp | first = Andrew | title = Classic British Bikes | publisher = Bookmart Ltd | date = 2001 | pages = pp. 120-121 | isbn = 1-86147-058-4 ]

Launched in October 1949, the A10 Golden Flash was a new design that was developed into a best selling range of motorcycles right through to the 1962 Rocket Gold Star. The original A10 Golden Flash was produced with a rigid frame for sidecar use and plunger suspension for overseas export. [ [http://www.motorbase.com/auctionlot/by-id/1189789635/ Motorbase A10 (accessed 2008-05-13)] ] These exports were so important to post war British industry that the bulk of production went to the USA, meaning long delivery times for UK customers.Citation | title = BSA Golden Flash on test | newspaper = Classic Bike Guide | date = May 2008 | year = 2008 ] Many parts, including the duplex frame and wheels, were carried over from the existing 500cc A7, saving time in design and production. This also had the advantage of greater reliability, as it minimised the risk of any new technical problems. The earliest A10s incorporated two useful features in particular which were also derived from the A7, but were nonetheless relatively short lived. These were a hinged rear mudguard, designed to ease rear wheel removal, and a semi-unit engine and gearbox arrangement. The semi-unit power train enabled the primary chain to be adjusted via a slipper within the primary chaincase. The early Golden Flash was a fast machine for its time, achieving over convert|100|mph|km/h in tests in 1950, and covering a standing quarter mile in under 16 seconds. [ [http://www.realclassic.co.uk/bsaa10a7.html Real Classic BSA A10 (accessed 2008-05-13)] ] However, BSA were concerned about a tendency for wear in the rear, plunger suspension, leading to uncertain handling, and it was replaced in 1954 with a modern swinging arm.cite book | last = Brown | first = Roland | title = Classic Motorcycles | publisher = Anness Publishing | date = 2002 | pages = pp. 120-123 | isbn = 1-84038-433-6 ] The hinged mudguard was deleted, as no longer necessary, and, though the abandonment of the semi-unit power train made for a more involved procedure for adjustment of the primary chain, it offered benefits in the areas of the clutch and gearbox internals.

The Golden Flash A10 was developed into the Super Flash and Road Rocket, before becoming the convert|105|mph|km/h BSA Super Rocket in 1958. This was nearly the end of the line for A10s, but in 1962 BSA produced the BSA Rocket Gold Star, which fitted a tuned A10 Super Rocket engine into the well proven BSA Gold Star single frame. The result was a good handling fast bike that was a true classic. Current demand for the Rocket Gold Star, or "RGS", is such that non-RGS A10s are sometimes sold as originals, having been modified using suitable alternative parts.

External links

* [http://www.realclassic.co.uk/bsa03121100.html 1953 BSA A10]
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HuZbe-l_4bI BSA Golden Flash road test]

Further reading

*Bacon, Roy, "BSA Twins & Triples The postwar A7/A10, A50/65 and Rocket III", Osprey, 1980.

References