BSA Motorcycles: Illustrated History Books & Guides

BSA: Pictorial History of the Great British Marque

NEW

Birmingham Small Arms (BSA) was once the world's largest motorcycle manufacturer. Known for producing reliable and affordable machines, BSA built motorcycles for a wide range of riders, from daily commuters to sports enthusiasts. For many years, the name BSA stood for honest and dependable engineering.

This illustrated book tells the story of BSA from its early years in the 1900s through to its decline in 1973. It also covers later efforts to revive the brand, including its return under new ownership in 2016.
The book includes over 200 period photographs, along with original press articles and sales brochures, offering a detailed and visual history of the company and its motorcycles.

Product details

Author:	James Robinson
Details:	140 pages, 8.5 x 5.5 x 1.06 in (21.5 x 14 x 2.7 cm), hardback
Illustrations:	extensively illustrated
Language:	English
Publisher:	Mortons Media Group (GB, 2025)
ISBN:	9781911704317

Triumph Trident and BSA Rocket 3 - The Complete Story

The Triumph Trident and BSA Rocket 3, both three-cylinder motorcycles, were developed to rival Honda's upcoming 750 cc model. Initially, they struggled to compete - while fast, they lacked refinement and their unconventional styling turned off many buyers, leading to a decision to halt production.
However, a comeback began, and in 1971, the factory racing team had a successful year, including a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place finish at the Daytona 200.

This book, featuring over 250 photographs, tells the complete history of these bikes, including:
- Their development, with a timeline of key events
- A year-by-year account of the bikes' evolution, from the T150 and T160 to the Rocket 3
- The story of the Hurricane
- A full racing history
- The legacy of Triumph's three-cylinder motorcycles today
This comprehensive work offers a detailed and exciting look at these iconic bikes and their place in motorcycle history.

Product details

Author:	Peter Henshaw
Details:	176 pages, 10.4 x 8.9 x 0.75 in (26.5 x 22.5 x 1.9 cm), hardback
Illustrations:	250+ b&w and color photos
Language:	English
Publisher:	The Crowood Press Ltd (GB, 2022)
Series:	The Complete Story
ISBN:	9781785009716

BSA - The Complete Story

BSA was once the world's leading motorcycle company, producing more motorcycles than any other by the mid-1950s. However, despite winning the Queen's Award for Industry in 1967 and 1968, it went bankrupt in 1973.

This book tells the story of BSA's rise and fall, a tale of success and decline in the British motorcycle industry.
With over 170 illustrations, the book covers the company's founding, its shift from bicycles to motorcycles, and the development of various models, complete with specification tables. It also highlights the company's expansion into cars, commercial vehicles, and weapons for Spitfires. The book details BSA's achievements, including two Maudes Trophies and several racing victories, as well as its eventual decline into bankruptcy.

Product details

Author:	Greg Pullen
Details:	192 pages, 10.25 x 8.5 x 0.79 in (26 x 21.5 x 2 cm), hardback
Illustrations:	170 b&w and color photos
Language:	English
Publisher:	The Crowood Press Ltd (GB, 2020)
Series:	The Complete Story
ISBN:	9781785007392

BSA Motorcycles - the final evolution

This book presents, for the first time, a detailed look at the new 1971 BSA and Triumph motorcycle range, including the 350 cc DOHC twins, the innovative Ariel 3 moped, the projected D18 Bantam, and the X-75 Hurricane. It covers related promotional and racing activities, including photoshoots, brochures, advertisements, and color schemes, all with high accuracy.
The book also explores BSA's significant infrastructure investment in 1970 at its Small Heath works, along with changes to its North American operations. Additionally, it offers a fresh and detailed analysis of BSA's financial situation from the early 1970s until its decline in 1973.
With new revelations and a collection of rare factory photographs, many previously unpublished and thought to be the only copies in existence, this work provides an in-depth look at a pivotal time in BSA's history.

Product details

Author:	Brad Jones
Details:	144 pages, 9.8 x 8.25 x 0.43 in (25 x 21 x 1.1 cm), paperback
Illustrations:	259 b&w and color photos
Language:	English
Publisher:	Veloce Publishing Ltd (GB, 2019)
Series:	Veloce Classic Reprint
ISBN:	9781787115484

The BSA Bantam Bible

The BSA Bantam is one of the most iconic British motorcycles built after World War II, with over 400.000 units produced between 1948 and the early 1970s. It was the most popular lightweight bike of its time, though production declined as the company focused on larger, faster models.
The Bantam's origins trace back to the prewar DKW RT125, which was produced in several countries, including the UK. In 1948, BSA introduced the Bantam as a simple 123cc two-stroke bike with basic features. Despite its modest design, the Bantam became a key part of British social history, with many learning to ride on it or using it for work. Though many owners eventually moved on to bigger bikes, the Bantam's legacy endures through a dedicated community of enthusiasts, restorers, and clubs.

Pages of the book "The BSA Bantam Bible"

Although many of those learners progressed to bigger, faster bikes, then gave up two wheels for family life, they won't have forgotten the Bantam, which explains why there's such a thriving Bantam community to this day - the club, the racing club, the spares specialists, and restorers, owners and riders all over the country. This might not be Britain's most glamorous motorcycle, its fastest or most flamboyant, but the Bantam is probably the most loved.

Contents:
- Year-by-year, change-by-change evolution details
- A complete history of the Bantam
- How it came about - postwar reparations from Germany
- Bantam cousins - Harley and Russian 'Bantams'
- Success! - the early years
- Growing up - the 148cc and 175cc Bantams
- Tragedy - lack of development leads to decline
- What might have been - could the Bantam have survived?
- Useful contacts

Product details

Author:	Peter Henshaw
Details:	160 pages, 9.8 x 8.25 x 0.75 in (25 x 21 x 1.9 cm), paperback
Illustrations:	167 b&w and color photos
Language:	English
Publisher:	Veloce Publishing Ltd (GB, 2017)
ISBN:	9781787111363

BSA 350, 441 & 500 Singles (1968-1973) - Essential Buyer's Guide

Looking for a good BSA Single from the years 1968-1973? This Essential Buyer's Guide, written by a marque expert, is packed with practical advice for buying the BSA 350, 441 and 500 Unit Construction Singles.

Models:
- B25 Starfire (1968-1970), B25 SS Gold Star (1971-1972), B25 T Victor Trail (1971-1972)
- B40 (1961-1965, 1967), B40 SS90 (1962-1967)
- B44 (1966-1970)
- B50 SS Gold Star (1971-1973), B50 T Victor Trail (1971-1973)
- C15 (1958-1967), C15 SS80 (1961-1965)
- C25 Barracuda (1967).

This Essential Buyer's Guide to BSA Singles will help you find the right bike at the right price and will answer the following questions:

• Stay or walk away? Initial evaluation of a BSA 350, 441 or 500 Unit Construction Single.
• What is the right price? Valuation with a unique scoring system.
• How to check authenticity?
• Which models are most suitable?
• What are known defects?
• What are the possibilities and impact of a restoration?
• What are the maintenance costs?

Product details

Author:	Peter Henshaw
Details:	64 pages, 7.7 x 5.5 in (19.5 x 14 cm), paperback
Illustrations:	103 b&w and color photos
Language:	English
Publisher:	Veloce Publishing Ltd (GB, 2015)
Series:	The Essential Buyer's Guide
ISBN:	9781845847562

The BSA Gold Star

This book covers every aspect of one of the best loved classic racing machines, from its beginnings back in Small Heath through to the Brooklands days, Trials, the Cafe Racer scene to the classic scene of today.

Contents:
- Origins
- Brooklands and the Birth of the M24
- Post War Small-fin Developments
- Clubmans TT
- Scrambles Star
- Thruxton
- Trials Activities
- Cafe Racer Culture
- Post War Big-fin Developments
- Road Racing
- Roland Pike
- Stateside
- Rocket Gold Star & The Classic Scene.

Product details

Author:	Mick Walker
Details:	260 pages, 8.1 x 8.1 x 0.63 in (20.5 x 20.5 x 1.6 cm), paperback
Illustrations:	500 b&w photos
Language:	English
Publisher:	Redline Books (GB, 2012)
Series:	Redline
ISBN:	9781855209350

BSA 500 & 650 Twins - A7, A10, A50 & A65 (1946-1973) - Essential Buyer's Guide

Looking for a great BSA Twin? This Essential Buyer's Guide, written by a brand expert, is packed with practical advice for buying the BSA 500 and 650 Twins.

Models: BSA A7, A10, A50 and A65.

Years: 1946-1973.

This Essential Buyer's Guide for the BSA 500 and 650 Twins will help you find the right motorcycle at the right price and will answer the following questions:

• Stay or walk away? Initial evaluation of a BSA 500 or 650 Twin.
• What is the right price? Valuation with a unique scoring system.
• How to check authenticity?
• Which models are most suitable?
• What are known defects?
• What are the possibilities and impact of a restoration?
• What are the maintenance costs?

Product details

Author:	Peter Henshaw
Details:	64 pages, 7.7 x 5.5 in (19.5 x 14 cm), paperback
Illustrations:	104 color photos
Language:	English
Publisher:	Veloce Publishing Ltd (GB, 2008)
Series:	The Essential Buyer's Guide
ISBN:	9781845841362

BSA & Triumph Triples (1968-1976) - Brooklands Portfolio

Brooklands Portfolio book featuring BSA and Triumph Triple motorcycles from the years 1968-1976. Describes the BSA Rocket 3, Trident, T150, T160 and Hurricane.

• The 40 period articles, brought together from leading British and American motorcycle magazines, provide much information about history, model changes and engineering.
• Also driving impressions, original road tests, comparison tests, technical data, etc.

More information about Brooklands Portfolio books

Product details

Details:	172 pages, 10.6 x 7.7 x 0.47 in (27 x 19.5 x 1.2 cm), paperback
Illustrations:	300 photos
Language:	English
Publisher:	Brooklands Books (GB, 1998)
Series:	Gold Portfolio
ISBN:	9781855204645

BSA Singles (1945-1963) - Brooklands Portfolio

Brooklands Portfolio book featuring BSA Singles motorcycles from the years 1945-1963. Describes the BSA Starfire Scrambler, Catalina, Sports Star, Gold Star, Super Sports, 250, 350, 500 and 600.

• The 59 period articles, brought together from leading British and American motorcycle magazines, provide much information about history, model changes and engineering.
• Also driving impressions, original road tests, comparison tests, technical data, etc.

More information about Brooklands Portfolio books

Product details

Details:	172 pages, 10.6 x 7.9 x 0.43 in (27 x 20 x 1.1 cm), paperback
Illustrations:	300 photos
Language:	English
Publisher:	Brooklands Books (GB, 1998)
Series:	Gold Portfolio
ISBN:	9781855204416

BSA Singles 1964-1974 - Brooklands Portfolio

Brooklands Portfolio book featuring BSA Single motorcycles from the years 1964-1974. Describes the BSA Starfire, 250, 350, 441, 500, Shooting Star, Gold Star, Manx, Baja, Victor, Special and MX.

• The 48 period articles, brought together from leading British and American motorcycle magazines, provide much information about history, model changes and engineering.
• Also driving impressions, original road tests, comparison tests, technical data, etc.

More information about Brooklands Portfolio books

Product details

Details:	172 pages, 10.8 x 7.9 x 0.43 in (27.5 x 20 x 1.1 cm), paperback
Illustrations:	300 photos
Language:	English
Publisher:	Brooklands Books (GB, 1998)
Series:	Gold Portfolio
ISBN:	9781855204423

BSA Twins A50 & A65 (1962-1973) - Brooklands Portfolio

Brooklands Portfolio book featuring BSA Twins A50 and A60 motorcycles from the years 1962-1973. Describes the BSA Royal Star, Rocket, Lightning, Cyclone, Thunderbolt, Spitfire, Special II, III and Hornet.

• The period articles, brought together from leading British and American motorcycle magazines, provide much information about history, model changes and engineering.
• Also driving impressions, original road tests, comparison tests, technical data, etc.

More information about Brooklands Portfolio books

Product details

Details:	172 pages, 11 x 8.25 in (28 x 21 cm), paperback
Illustrations:	300 photos
Language:	English
Publisher:	Brooklands Books (GB, 1996)
Series:	Gold Portfolio
ISBN:	9781855203372

BSA Twins A7 & A10 (1946-1962) - Brooklands Portfolio

Brooklands Portfolio book featuring BSA Twins A7 and A10 motorcycles from the years 1946-1962. Describes the BSA Road Rocket, Golden Flash, Super Rocket, Gold Star, Star Twin and Shooting Star.

• The period articles, brought together from leading British and American motorcycle magazines, provide much information about history, model changes and engineering.
• Also driving impressions, original road tests, comparison tests, technical data, etc.

More information about Brooklands Portfolio books

Product details

Details:	172 pages, 10.4 x 7.9 x 0.43 in (26.5 x 20 x 1.1 cm), paperback
Illustrations:	300 photos
Language:	English
Publisher:	Brooklands Books (GB, 1996)
Series:	Gold Portfolio
ISBN:	9781855203365