1959 BSA A7 (500cc) Motorcycle

Description

The Birmingham Small Arms (BSA) Company began producing motorcycles in 1910 and by the time World War II had broken out, had become one of the UK's largest motorcycle manufacturers. Designed by Val Page, Herbert Parker, and David Munro, the BSA A7 was the first twin-cylinder motorcycle from BSA. Called Star Twin, the first A7 was ready in 1939, however the outbreak of War delayed its launch until September 1946, when hostilities ended. Its 495cc twin cylinder engine used a single camshaft behind the cylinders operating 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 (then uncommon) sockets. The A7’s engine produced 26bhp and pushed the bike to a top speed of 85mph. BSA produced two versions of the A7, the original 495cc Star Twin and an improved 497cc variant called Shooting Star, which was launched in 1950. There was huge demand for affordable transport after World War II and the simplicity of the A7 twin made it very appealing. The BSA A7 remained in production until 1961 with only minor modifications.