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Legacy

History

OUR LEGACY

Liberation since 1903

1910

BSA First Motorcycle

Standing for Birmingham Small Arms Company Ltd, BSA was founded in 1861, for the production of firearms. They chose 25 acres of ground at Small Heath and by 1863 the factory was complete. The brand’s motorcycle division was set up in 1903, and the first motorcycle followed in 1910.

BSA History 1910
BSA History 1910
1914

The great war

BSA produced 1.5 million rifles, 145 Lewis machine guns, along with motorcycles, the world’s first folding bicycle, machine tools, jigs, gauges, aero components, gun locks, shells and fuses to support 'The Great War'. In addition, there were the staff cars, ambulances and commercial vehicles produced by Daimler, which had been bought by BSA in 1910.

BSA History 1914
BSA History 1914
1920

Post War Era

Post-WW1, in 1920, BSA bought some of the assets of the Aircraft Manufacturing Company (Airco), which had built many important aircraft during the war. While BSA did not go into aviation, the chief designer of Airco founded the De Havilland company and BSA reentered the car market under their own name in 1921 with a V-twin engine light car followed by four-cylinder models. In 1924, four BSAs made motorcycling history by successfully climbing Snowdon.

BSA History 1920
BSA History 1920
1930

Inter War Years

In 1929 a new range of 3 and 4-wheel cars appeared, and in the 1930s the board of directors authorised expenditure on bringing their arms-making equipment back to use. In 1931 the Lanchester Motor Company was acquired, and production of their cars transferred to Daimler’s Coventry works. BSA's motorcycle production increased - the reliable Sloper model gave way to the Blue Stars and Empire Stars and the Maudes Trophy was awarded to BSA for the most meritorious motorcycling performance.

BSA History 1930
BSA History 1930
1939-1945

World War II

The dark clouds of war gathered and BSA produced munitions components, Browning guns and shell fuses. Included in this were 126,334 service motorcycles - all of which were M20s.

BSA History 1939
BSA History 1939
1950

Resurrection

BSA purchased Triumph Engineering Co. Ltd. and in 1953 BSA Motorcycles Ltd. was created by separating from BSA Cycles Ltd. By the 1950s, BSA was the world’s largest motorcycle maker, with one in every four motorcycles sold worldwide sporting the BSA badge. The company also enjoyed phenomenal success on the race track, with notable victories at Daytona and Santa Catalina.

BSA History 1950
BSA History 1950
1960

Worldwide popularity

In 1967 and 1968, the company was awarded the Queen's Award to Industry for the export of BSA and Triumph motorcycles. By 1969 they accounted for 80% of the British motorcycle industry's exports. Many organisations, like the AA, used BSA motorcycles for their patrol machines, and police forces all over the world preferred the BSA. The new three-cylinder machines were launched, with a reputation for performance and reliability.

BSA History 1960
BSA History 1960
1970

BSA STOPS PRODUCTION

In 1971, the Group found themselves with a trading loss of £3m, despite all their success. In late 1971 rescue attempts were undertaken with 13 new revised BSA and Triumph models. Due to numerous production problems they missed the market at home and in America. Towards the end of the year they were on the verge of bankruptcy. Sixty-three years of non-stop production ended abruptly in the summer of 1973.

BSA History 1970
BSA History 1970
True Brit, Indian Grit

BSA Gold Star 650

After a tantalizing wait, on August 15th, Classic Legends Pvt. Ltd. launched BSA and the BSA Gold Star 650 in India.

bsa bike

BSA Motorcycles

CONTACT US

care@bsamotorcycles.in