1950 BSA Star Twin 500cc Solo Motorcycle

Description

The Birmingham Small Arms Company had, by the time World War II broke out, become the largest manufacturer of motorcycles in the United Kingdom.BSA produced two versions of the A7, the original 495cc version and an improved 497cc version launched in 1950. Named the Star Twin and then the Shooting Star the A7 remained in production until 1961 with only minor modifications. Designed by Val Page, Herbert Parker and David Munro, the BSA A7 was the first twin-cylinder motorcycle from BSA and was ready for launch in 1939, but the outbreak of War delayed the launch until September 1946 when hostilities ended. The 495cc twin cylinder engine produced 26bhp and was capable of 85mph. A single camshaft behind the cylinders operated the valves via long pushrods passing through a tunnel in the cast iron block. This system needed a considerable number of studs and nuts to fasten down the cylinder head and rocker boxes, many of them deeply recessed and requiring well-made box spanners or the (then uncommon) sockets. The first A7 featured a fixed gearbox, bolted to the back of the crankcase, and an internal tensioner for the duplex primary chain. There was huge demand for affordable transport after the war and the simplicity of the A7 twin was helped along by the slogan 'It's time YOU had a BSA!'