SUPER ROCKETS

I read with great interest, as I always do, RC172 and in particular the article about the BSA Victor Special and the rebuilding of two Super Rockets, being a keen BSA fan. Regarding the Victor Special I quite agree with Frank Melling and Roger Taylor that the sensible cruising speed is an indicated 55mph – with a (very) quick sprint up to 60mph. I own a 1967 Shooting Star and this seems an ideal speed for a bike that is now over 50 years old. With electronic ignition and the use of the valve lifter, starting is good.

Regarding the Super Rockets I see from the photos that there’s a choke or advance / retard lever mounted on the frame of Mick’s Super Rocket, adjacent to the oil tank. Then a photo of Pete’s bike shows the choke on the left, and on Mick’s the choke is on the right. I always thought these bikes had the choke mounted next to the oil tank, and the advance and retard on the handlebar. Am I wrong? Which is which?

An excellent read as always, keep it up.

Andy Bean, member 12,473

Delighted you enjoyed the features, Andy. As to which lever goes where; diagrams from BSA handbooks of the 1950s typically show the A10’s ignition lever on the left and the air lever on the right of the handlebars. But these days, a machine fitted with modern electrics might not need an advance / retard lever, while an owner could choose to put the choke anywhere convenient. If you’re concerned about being marked down in a concours competition then it might be important, but otherwise… Rowena