1969 BSA A75 Rocket 3 Motorcycle

The Birmingham Small Arms Company had, by the time World War II broke out, become the largest manufacturer of motorcycles in the United Kingdom. By the early 1960s, BSA was a dominant player on the motorbike stage, exporting to countries all over the world and supplied many of their police and armed forces. Developed alongside the Triumph Trident, the BSA Rocket 3 triple was the biggest and most powerful BSA yet and aimed squarely at the American market. Using a four-stroke, air-cooled motor with a bore and stroke measuring 67 by 70 mm, the Rocket 3 featured three Amal Concentric 626 carburettors and 9.5:1 compression ratio. Developing 58 bhp at 7250 rpm, the BSA was capable of reaching impressive speeds yet earned a reputation for reliability as well. The Rocket 3 was introduced to the public in 1969 and sold in just three colours; red, blue or lime green. Production continued until 1972, however, by the late 1960s the Japanese had begun to erode the dominance of BSA - and the British motorcycle industry in general - to the point where the BSA Group ceased building any motorcycles in 1972 and did not recommence until 1976.