650 sportsters: Road Rocket and Super Rocket
1955 - 1963


Developed from the export only 1953 Super Flash, the 1955 Road Rocket was BSA's top sports twin at the time - available in Britain from the middle of 1956. Chrome mudguards - the rear valanced - and a red or silver petrol tank with chrome panels added plenty of sparkle, while a black painted nacelle free headlamp had a speedometer and tachometer mounted above it on the fork top yoke.

A chromed passenger grab handle and an Amal 1 1/16in 10TT9 carburettor - unusually with a right hand float chamber - were distinctive fittings. Top speed was 109mph from a power unit which developed 40bhp at 8000rpm.

The Road Rocket was only made until 1957, and is sought after today. Its successor, the equally sporting Super Rocket, is much more common. Rated at 42bhp and capable of 108.5mph in 1960, the Super Rocket's valanced mudguards and nacelled headlamp are strangely at odds with its sporting ambitions.

Available with the Rocket Gold Star until 1963 - from 1962 with a 9:1 compression engine - these two models were the last pre unit BSA twins to remain in production.