BSA A10

The A10 was launched at the end of the 1940s so BSA could start a new decade with a new 650 twin. Designer Bert Hopwood revised the 500cc A7 engine taking it out to 646cc and incorporating the rocker box into a single-piece, light alloy casting, but keeping the basic parallel twin layout with a 360-degree crankshaft and single camshaft at the rear of the cylinder block. The four-speed gearbox bolted directly to the crankcase.

Initially the A10 was available with tele forks and a rigid rear end, although plunger rear suspension followed for 1951. The metallic beige colouring of the early A10s gave the model its popular name - the Golden Flash - which evoked memories of the legendary BSA Gold Star. The A10 was altogether more workaday than its glamorous single-cylinder sporting counterpart, but it proved to be one of BSA's best-loved motorcycles in the long run.

The specification was gradually improved throughout the years with a swinging-arm, all welded twin down-tube chassis arriving in 1954. Production continued through to 1962 when the A10 was replaced by the unit construction A65. A standard A10 outputs between 35 and 39bhp, although its low-rev torque delivery was more important to most riders than any notion of ultimate top speed. An A10 was certainly capable of exceeding 90mph, but what's more important was its ability to cruise in complete comfort at 60mph all day long.

Dating from 1953 this particular A10 is said to be in good running order and comes with a current MOT and tax.