BSA
21 entries
British industrial combine that began as a gun factory in 1861 and later built bicycles, motorcycles and cars.
- Founded
- June 1861, in Birmingham
- First motorcycle
- 1905
- Bicycles
- From 1880
- Rescued
- Government-organised takeover of remaining operations in 1973
BSA began in June 1861 in the Gun Quarter of Birmingham, formed by fourteen gunsmiths to manufacture guns by machinery. It branched out into bicycle manufacture in 1880 and built its first experimental motorcycle in 1905.
The company became a major British combine covering firearms, bicycles, motorcycles, cars, buses and machine tools. After the Second World War it did not manage its business well, and a government-organised rescue operation in 1973 led to the takeover of its remaining operations.
- 1861Birmingham Small Arms Company formed
- 1880Bicycle manufacture begins
- 1905First experimental motorcycle
- 1919BSA Cycles Ltd set up
- 1973Remaining operations taken over after a government rescue
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BSA BSA Spitfire: the fastest standard BSA yet
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BSA BSA Scout: the front-wheel-drive two-seater
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BSA BSA M22: the 500 cc M-series sports single
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BSA BSA M21: the 600 cc side-valve with a sidecar
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BSA BSA M20: the army’s workhorse
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BSA BSA Golden Flash: the gold-painted 650 that sold America
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BSA BSA C15: BSA’s first unit-construction four-stroke
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BSA BSA C11: the 250 that Steve McQueen rode
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BSA BSA Blue Star: the reliable 1930s single
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BSA BSA Bantam: the two-stroke that motorised Britain
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BSA BSA B44: the world championship single
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BSA BSA B40: the 350 single that went to war
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BSA BSA B31: the first new BSA after the war
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BSA BSA B25: the fastest British 250 of its day
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BSA BSA A7: BSA’s first parallel twin
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BSA BSA A65: the 650 cc twins of the 1960s
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BSA BSA A50 Royal Star: the unit-construction 500 that led the way
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BSA BSA A10: the 650 cc twin that carried BSA through the 1950s
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BSA BSA Lightning: the 650 that went to the movies
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BSA BSA Rocket 3: the 750 cc triple from Small Heath