OVERVIEW
1963 BSA Rocket Gold Star Model A10
VIN: DA10 605
Engine: DA10R7983
Fully restored by noted motorcycle restorer A.J. Lewis
Original Lyta aluminum alloy fuel tank
Rare black paint finish configuration
BSA instruction manual
Highly sought after, show-quality motorcycle
Timeless styling, incredible rarity and outstanding performance created a tour-de-force motorcycle that would be revered for years to come: the BSA Rocket Gold Star A10.
The Rocket Gold Star was a BSA motorcycle that was included in the final range of A10 twins, using a tuned A10 Super Rocket engine in the double-downtube Gold Star frame. Launched in 1962, the total production for the BSA Rocket Gold Star was 1,584 examples, with 272 of them were off-road scramblers. While most of these were painted red, only a few were painted black and silver making these non-red bikes extremely rare indeed. With the later 9:1 compression Super Rocket engine, a Spitfire camshaft and an Amal Monobloc carburetor was able to produce a total of 45 horsepower as standard. Options like siamesed exhaust pipes and a close-ratio RRT2 gearbox could increase power to 50 horsepower, while adding 30% to the price. Production for the Rocket Gold Star ceased in 1963 due to the development of a new unit construction successors, designated as A65 in the 650cc capacity.
A.J. Lewis was a noted restorer and marquee expert on Ariel motorcycles but was a lover of all-things two wheeled. Working for Johnson Motors in Pasadena, California, the only Triumph and Ariel dealer and distributor from 1940 on, Lewis gained an incredible wealth of knowledge on all facets of the motorcycle business. Working for them in the late 40’s, he became an expert at building race engines. Eventually opening his own shops for building motorcycles, selling parts and offering service, A.J. became the defacto Ariel expert. Later purchasing a vast collection of spare parts from Johnson Motors, he had the largest supply of Ariel motorcycles and parts to be found anywhere, including factory records, parts books and other items which were unavailable anywhere else.
While A.J Lewis was an Ariel motorcycle expert, he still loved many other motorcycles. With an attention to detail that was due to in part by building racing engines, he often restored his own motorcycles to the best degree. This BSA Rocket Gold Star, restored to show-quality, is one of those bikes. All surfaces and mechanical components were addressed, which produced one of the best looking BSA Rocket Gold Stars to ever come through Canepa’s doors. With its original Lyta aluminum-alloy fuel tank, stunning mechanicals and paintwork in rare BSA black, this Rocket Gold Star is one of the rare non-Ariel’s restored with A.J.’s expert touch.
Bill Maxwell, the first owner of the BSA Rocket after the restoration, was able to purchase the bike after the 1996-1997 restoration. The bike would then appear at a motorcycle swap meet in Tulare, California. Gale Searing, who was interested in adding a BSA Rocket Gold Star, was enamored by the bike’s history with A.J. Lewis and purchased the bike in the early 2000s. He would keep the bike until 2006 where he would then transfer the bike to his son, also named Gale Searing. The Searing family would keep the bike until September of 2015 when they sold the bike to a collector in Colorado.
Canepa acquired the BSA in late 2015 as part of a 5-motorcycle collection, all of which were restored by A.J. Lewis. Once it arrived, it was immediately apparent the quality of the restoration and the care that was given to it since it was restored. The original Lyta aluminum-allow fuel tank was shining in the sun, contrasting against the excellent black paint finish of the bike. The stunning café racer only needed a light cleaning by hand from Canepa’s expert detail technicians. Presenting as though its restoration was just completed, this 1963 BSA Rocket Gold Star A10 is sure to put a smile on any owner’s face, whether from being on the show lawn or tripping down to their favorite café on a Saturday morning.
