The BSA Road Rocket is a motorcycle that was manufactured from 1954 to 1958. It had a four-stroke parallel twin-cylinder engine with a capacity of 646 cc, and used an Amal carburetor for fuel delivery. The engine had a 7.2:1 compression ratio and was cooled by air. The motorcycle was equipped with twin stainless steel exhausts and a Lucas magdyno ignition system. The Road Rocket had a multi-plate clutch with built-in cush drive, and a 4-speed transmission. It was driven by a chain and had front and rear drum brakes. The frame was made of welded seamless steel tubing with duplex downtubes and full cradle engine support, and had a bolted-on rear subframe. The front suspension was telescopic forks with coil spring and the rear suspension from 1954 onwards was a swinging arm, with a plunger-type shock and rebound springs. The motorcycle had steel wheels with wire spokes, and its tyres measured 3.25 x 19 in. at the front and 4.00 x 19 in. at the rear. The bike was 2100 mm long, had a wheelbase of 1391 mm, and weighed 190 kg dry. The fuel capacity was 16 L and the average fuel consumption was 5.6 L/100 km. The Road Rocket could reach a top speed of 175 km/h and complete the standing quarter mile in 16 seconds. It was available in all-over gold, and black/chrome colours.
Technical specifications:
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. |
| Colours | All over gold, Black/chrome |
| Source | Wikipedia |
