1963 BSA 646cc Rocket Gold Star

1963 BSA 646cc Rocket Gold Star
Registration no. DMT 581A
Frame no. GA10.1413
Engine no. DA10R 10012 (see text)
Widely recognised as one of the most desirable of all factory built 'café racers', the Rocket Gold Star arrived in 1962 along with the first of BSA's new unitary construction range. A combination of - mainly - Gold Star cycle parts and the A10 Super Rocket twin-cylinder engine, the newcomer represented the last of the old pre-unit line rather than a new departure, and thus was destined for a relatively short life.

Motor Cycle tested a Rocket Gold Star in November 1962, summing up the new BSA as a 'scintillating high-performance road burner: good brakes, excellent rider comfort and docile traffic manners.' A top speed of 105mph was achieved. The model was offered in a number of different forms and with a host of options relating to controls and equipment. Around 1,800 Rocket Gold Stars were made over a two-year period. Today genuine examples are highly sought after, their relative scarcity leading to the construction of numerous replicas.

The example offered here comes with an expired MoT (June 2013), and a V5C Registration Certificate. It should be noted that the engine number has been re-stamped. Prospective purchasers must satisfy themselves with regard to the origin and correctness of this motorcycle's components prior to bidding.