For sale: 1963 BSA Rocket Gold Star - quick look & start-up

[@Roger.Coleman1949]

I had a ' 63 RGS in the mid 80s with Eddie Dow Duetto front brake conversion which was incredibly efficient and in Clubmans trim.Whilst on display at the BMF rally , the original owner's son ( who'd never seen it ! ) recognised the number, rang his dad to say he'd just seen his old bike.That led to a meet up with the original owner and he was very emotional on seeing it for the first time in more than 20 years - that led to me seeing many period photos of it !.

[@willywonka8730]

USA here. Nothing like listening to a cockney chat about the a10. Can you still hear the Bow Bells, David? Takes me back to my youth and my BSA ('58 Road Rocket). Also my '52 MG TD. Both vehicles had Lucas (prince of darkness) electrics. Damn near killed me on a pitch black night on one occasion.

[@jamesfanning5279]

Mine's a '62 , out of the factory in June and exported to the States like a great many of all RGS's made. Brought back to UK in the '90s. It was in semi-clubman trim with the rear set footrests and touring bars turned upside down like many used to be. Fitted clip-ons when I bought it. RRT2 gearbox. It's an HC motor meaning high compression 10.5 : 1 pistons but standard Super Rocket cam - if it had HHC stamped on the crankcase it meant high comp pistons plus the sporty Spitfire cam. After experimenting with a retarded mag lever for starting found it starts better in the advanced position and no choke - it kicks back on the first or second swing (not violently like the 500cc DBD34 single) and then will always go on the next swing , settling quickly into a slow metronome tick-over. Don't go over 5,000 rpm out of respect for the engine and will cruise all day at 80 mph / 4,500 rpm if desired.

[@JackTheSkunk]

Let's see HonKawSuzYam Inc. build something this beautiful and appealing.

[@johnlane1206]

The Honda dream was pretty sweet, but beauty is of course in the eye of the beholder.

[@bradkorando]

Wonderful Rocket Gold Star. One day... Thanks for sharing another fantastic classic motorcycle.

[@-old-school-motorcyclesltd]

A beautiful machine 😊

[@paulshelley4754]

Great to see a real one with the bits to put it in to clubmans trim rare and desirable my mate had a 63 we use to share a garage with my triton was clubmans with a lyta tank great bike to ride believe me😊

[@ruahinesrider]

Absolutely Marvelous a 650 twin Rocket 🚀 Gold Star only about 1300 made.

[@willywonka8730]

I chuckle every time I hear that name. It's like the Brits kept adding adjectives to the name rather than make any substantial changes to the bike. Kinda like Royal titles.

[@jjrider6758]

There were 1584 Rocket Gold Stars made for 2 years, 1962-63.

[@jjrider6758]

@@willywonka8730 BSA named the bike 'Rocket Gold Star' because it is the tuned twin cylinder engine from a late model BSA Super Rocket (the 'Big Valve' Super Rocket) in a slightly modified single cylinder BSA Gold Star frame and cycle parts. There were only 1584 Rocket Gold Stars made and production only lasted for two years - 1962 and 1963 - so there wasn't really time for modifications.. In any case, the RGS was pretty much a 'bespoke' motorcycle, there were a huge amount of factory options available to the purchaser at the point of sale, such as multiple different gearboxes, at least 3 exhaust systems, three fuel tanks, two different front brakes, as well as seat, wheel rim, handlebar, headlamp bracket and foot rest options etc.... So pretty much every possible individual preference and intended end-use was covered by the factory..

[@peter7624]

That's a nice bike. I had a replica RGS during the 60s, clip ons, rearsets, spitfire cams, 9 to 1 pistons, alloy SR head etc. It had a GP carb fitted but used so much fuel that I put a Monobloc back on. It was originally a Flash, and had the thin flange barrels which were always a worry with the extra performance. It went well though and handled as good as any modern bike with that duplex frame.

[@nickbarber2080]

They certainly are beautiful bikes to look at. Many years ago,I was given the opportunity to ride a friends genuine RGS for an afternoon...although a lovely bike,to be honest it was not five times better than my Golden Flash...

[@daveblack1854]

I have one too in refurb. I was told when I bought it that it could be one of the last Super Road Rockets but no idea of the value tho I saw one took bike of the show at Stanford Hall a couple of yrs back done up as a cafe racer. The geezer reckoned he'd tefused £15'Gs for it.

[@ianransome855]

Gorgeous….well sone and thanks for keeping these bikes going…..

[@hullygully1135]

I had a Road Rocket and a Super Rocket in the 60s and I really liked them however I cannot really understand how a change of frame has sent the Rocket Gold Star price stratospheric.

[@nickbarber2080]

Rarity I suppose,and the cachet of the RGS name. I've ridden A10s for years,and once had an extended "go" on a friend's RGS...don't get me wrong,it was nice,but not five times nicer than my Flash.

[@daveco1270]

Sweet bike. It makes more sense to me to just flip the shifter so it's 1 down 4 up. Rather than having to open up the gear box and mess with it...if you're going to put on the rear sets. I'm not sure if I would or not. I like the touring package, but I've never ridden one of those so I'm not familiar with the riding position.

[@brolsonmusic]

I have a 63 Super Rocket Custom bobber (can see on my shorts in my youtube channel) I have to straddle and really hop on the kicker to get mine started. High compression. I amazed at most I see are easy to start with a gentle kick.

[@andremenezes6428]

Hi Dave think the microphone makes the bike sound different and seems to have some bearing rumble....but I could be completely wrong as hearing it live is the proof of the pudding. I own a super rocket that has twin gold star exhaust and is built to replica specs with the hhc cam, but I run it with a Mikuni vm30 6DH2 needle and 470 main, but with a ATD governor on the magneto which is joe hunt and the engine has a more bassey sound 😊

[@jeremykeller211]

Very cute! The RGS used basically the A10 motor, hotted up with the Spitfire cam and linked to the RRT2 box, yes?. Was the frame a standard A10? I recall that the frame of the heavely DBD 34 was considered the near equal of the featherbed. If the RGS benefitted from this it would be irresistible.

[@LemonDrizzleGang]

What a beauty …. 👍👍

[@johnmfjw]

Lovely bike.

[@roberthocking9138]

What a beautiful bike, I wish I lived in England instead of AUS. Nice one 👍

[@donparker1823]

It would be fun to have this. I'm not at all sure what kind of troubles US Customs would make for me since this bike wasn't made for export. I'd be OK on emission standards because they don't start measuring emissions on bikes built before 1977. Duty into the US is 2.4% for a bike. There's probably several other complications that I'm not even aware of. Sure is a nice machine.

[@timstevenson5417]

I used to get a lift home from work on the back of one these, pre helmet days.... exiting and terrifying at the same time ! ( is that a MK 1 Capri under the car cover, when the bike starts up ?)

[@OldSkoolBiker62]

Everytime I see a BSA Goldstar from the early 1960's onwards I wonder if my late father had touched that bike.. He worked as a fitter for the BSA Factory through the 60's.. The Goldstar was a bike he often told me about. Our house was only about 1/4 mile from the factory and as a very young boy I used to play in the BSA grounds.. Unfortunately I don't own a old classic, I would love to but my physical health wouldn't allow me to carry out the continuous maintenance a bike like this needs.. and paying someone else to do it would work out a very expensive hobby.. lol. Really enjoyed the video the bike sounds brilliant purrs like a kitten.. 🤟😎

[@rover100bunson]

hi, was the factory at small heath? mum grew up in spark brook and i still have a cousin in sparkhill, i know the area pretty well, my uncle i believe worked in the chroming dept at bsa until it closed

[@kennethlaycock4724]

How much?

[@willywonka8730]

Your Dad proly touched my '58 Road Rocket. Was my nightly commuter for a year. Did the ton on it. Though it did demand attention (carried an impact screwdriver in my pocket) the only part that failed me was the generator chain. Loved the sound.

[@davidjackson7715]

Sweet

[@shawfamily969]

Beautiful bike😀 my late father had one in the 60”s and sold it to help fund a house with mum, sold for £250😩😀 would love to know what happened to bike and maybe even see it, as it was dads pride and joy, where would a good place be to look? I got registration number and it’s showing as still registered in uk.

[@rustyheaps]

Nice bike, leave it in touring trim if you actually want to ride it any distance, if you're my age, anyway

[@spookydog6959]

Super sweet

[@willywonka8730]

Like the VW Bug - the BSA touched so many financially strapped youth while they were first testing their freedom. It will be popular at least till that generation passes.

[@sr-vx1cg]

bellissima moto

[@keithmoore5224]

I built a rep one thing i did was i alterd the bottom engine mount off a spare bent frame a little mode fooled a few so caled experts ( golde owner ) i now at 76 would prefer the touer

[@notwocdivad]

The big question! HOW MUCH??? I have seen lots of fake RGS at shows and rally's some easy to spot others very difficult A lot are as good as the real thing for half the price! They must be the most copied Classic bike there is? No wonder, Real or fake they are a VERY HANDSOME MACHINE!!!

[@redrooster1908]

Nice.

[@Headwind-1]

although . .not my favorite 650 i must admit this one does sound sweet . .

[@Headwind-1]

rrt2 or not top gear is still 1to1 is . .it

[@Kevin-cy9cv]

Lovely bike