BSA Reviews

This was Haynes' 1st repair manual and it is the best single-source manual for pre-unit twin BSAs. As in all subsequent Haynes manuals, their staff actually dismantles and rebuilds a BSA, presenting readers with photos of the whole operation. This book and a copy of the spares manual are all you need to keep your Golden Flash, etc. in fine trim.- Bill Litant, president emeritus, BSA OWners Club of New England

This is a great book on the history of BSA motorcycle production. Wright tells the story of how the Company lived and changed through decades of manufacturing. BSA was a very strong brand at one time and even advertised themselves as, "The Most Popular Motorcycle in the World." Wright explains the marketing decisions BSA made through the years and why they moved in the directions they did. Wright is obviously well informed and interested in the subject, which makes his style very classy. The Birmingham Small Arms Company did not always make the best decisions, but even when describing the company's downfalls, Wright treats the subject with respect. His reader is kept interested with "insider" details about the Company and there are enough pictures of BSA bikes to keep any owner satisfied. The book contains detailed information about individual models, so you can learn about bikes you may have only heard of or seen once. All the bikes are in there, from thumper to tripple with clearly reproduced photos. This book is a must-have for your BSA library.

This book is a good source of text and photographs on the BSA Bantam of 1948-1971. There is reprints of a few contemporary magazine reviews and a good range of colour and B/W photographs of most models, including a section of factory shots complete with slightly incorrect captions (including those fuzzed out details indicating they did not like changing the copy very often). Really if this book has any annoying failing it is that the four owner profiles lack a certain relevance, comprising as they do, an off-roader a collector a juvenile and a racer. If you can find a copy this is probably the best detail book for the practical rider and restorer.

Not a must, but a great book for the owner of the BSA unit single and the BSA enthusiast in general. The title is a bit deceptive - it's not really a "how-to" restoration guide, rather, it's a collection of information about the bikes. The chapters take you through each model's evolution and the book concludes with a wealth of appendices covering everything from serial numbers to carb. set-up. A great book for facts, figures and photos - just don't expect a detailed workshop guide. -Bill Litant, president emeritus, BSA Owners' Club of New England

Not a must, but a great book for the owner of the BSA unit twin and the BSA enthusiast in general. The title is a bit deceptive - it's not really a "how-to" restoration guide, rather, it's a collection of information about the bikes. The chapters take you through each model's evolution and the book concludes with a wealth of appendices covering everything from serial numbers to carb. set-up. A great book for facts, figures and photos - just don't expect a detailed workshop guide. -Bill Litant, president emeritus, BSA Owners' Club of New England

(...) He blames BSA for the demise of his true love, Triumph. Basically he would be quite happy if BSA had not made anything more sophisticated than the A10. Save your money and buy a decent book on BSAs!!!!!

Many compliments for your BSA book.First quality pictures from your own hand give perfect but not always real imagination of the bikes as they were introduced to the market. May I suggest to mix these excellent pictures with selection of original material. Your text is pleasant to read and gives in general basic info on the reference bikes. As mentioned I believe that there is a seleced group of readers having special interest in the more technical background of each model. I recall that in the 1950 th the publishers of Motorcycle came with 2 collection books which contained interviews with designer of various models not limited to BSA but covering most of highly interesting designs period 1930 up to 1950 etc. I have never seen these books republished. NB> The BSA Goldstar book by BMS includes typical of this period interview. 5 star rating means that I consider your book value for money- I still enjoy it whenever I open it again. It must have a pleasure to compose it- I am sure that you have a special relation with BSA. So have I worked at Small Heath as an appprentice in 1965! Regards Carl Drees

This book is dedicated to the production and racing history of the Triples, but not much of it is useful. It has a few pages of color pictures, but only covers a few model years, and even the bikes pictured are not original, and have been modified.

There is only a few scant mentions of the Rocket III, and very, very little in terms of detailed info. If you are interested in the history of the racing triples this is for you. If you are looking for information for restoration purposes, keep looking. This isn't it.

As a very inexperienced mechanic I have found this book of little use to me as the information given is far too sketchy & not detailed enough on the differences between models...Far too expensive (in Australian dollars) for the information provided.