1969 BSA Rocket 3
1969 BSA ROCKET 3 BREAKS NEW GROUND
The irony here is that the mad scientists in the back room at sister-brand
Triumph had 3-cylinder prototypes running around since 1965, a full 4 years ahead of
Honda. But parent-company
BSA dithered. It wasn't until word leaked out of the mighty 4-cylinder from
Japan that they gave the
Rocket 3 and its twin, the
Triumph Trident the green light. In classically-inept BSA fashion, they trusted the styling of the bikes to an automotive supplier. The result was the very stodgy look, with "shoebox" gas tank, chunky side covers, and those crazy "ray gun" mufflers (aka: "Flash Gordons"). Even worse, the British triples only beat the Honda 750 Four to market by a few weeks. It was better styled, more reliable, and cheaper.
1969 BSA ROCKET 3 IS FAST
Despite everything else, the new Triples were fast, very fast. Faster than the
Norton 850 Commando, faster even than the new
Honda 750...on a good day. And they quickly began racking up victories on road racing circuits allover the world. Alas it wasn't enough to stem the tsunami of
Japanese bikes or to cure all the other ills that plagued
BSA at the close of the 1960s. Today, they are much sought after by collectors. And they are one of the best classic British motorcycles to ride in modern times, with ample power to keep up with just about anything on the road.
1969 BSA Rocket 3 SPECIFICATIONS
Engine type Displacement Bore & Stroke Compression Ratio Intake Valve dia Exhaust Valve dia Carburetors Bore size Main Jet size Needle Jet size Needle type Needle position Throttle Valve Ignition System Spark Plug type Spark Plug gap Electrical System Charging System Primary Drive Clutch Gearbox Internal ratios 1st Gear 2nd Gear 3rd Gear 4th Gear Wheelbase Overall length Overall width Overall Height Ground clearance Seat Height Unladen weight Engine weight, dry Fuel Capacity Brakes, F/R
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OHV air-cooled inline 3 741cc / 45 cu.in. 62mm X 70mm / 2.67" X 2.751" 9.0:1 38.9mm / 1.53" +/- 33.3mm / 1.31" +/- 3- Amal Type 626 Concentrics 27mm 150 .106 STD 2 3-1/2 Breakers & Coils 3- Champion N3 .020" / .50mm 12 volt DC Lucas 7CA alternator Triplex chain Single-plate, dry, diaphragm-type 4-speed, constant-mesh, sliding dogs
2.47:1 1.71:1 1.26:1 1.00:1 56.25" / 142.875cm 86" / 218.44cm 32.5" / 82.55cm 43.5" / 110.49cm 6.5" / 16.51cm, unladen 32" / 81.28cm 460 lbs / 208.8 kg 180 lbs / 81.72 kg 4.2 US gal / 3.5 Imp gal / 15.94 liters 8" TLS drum / 7" SLS drum
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In our efforts to complete our online index, and make this the world's greatest website about classic British motorcycles, we're building pages as fast as we can. The first thing we add are the pictures. Then come the specifications and then the history. So, if you see a page that just has only pictures on it, or just pictures and specs, please check back in a few weeks to see if we have it done. Thanks for your patience. And thanks for visiting
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MORE BSA PAGES:
BSA Motorcycles
..... BSA Gold Star
..........1939
..........1953
..........1954
..........1961
..........1962
..... BSA A7 (pre-unit 500)
..........1952
..........1955
..... BSA A10 (pre-unit 650)
..........1951
..........1954
..........1957
..........1958
..... BSA A65 (unit-construction 650)
..........1962
..........1963
..........1964
..........1965
..........1966
..........1967
..........1968
..........1969
..........1970
..........1971
..... BSA Rocket 3 (750 triple)
..........1969
..........1971
..... BSA Bantam
Check out these BSA BOOKS


BSA Motorcycles: The Final Evolution


The BSA Gold Star: Motorcycle History


Illustrated Bsa Buyer's Guide (Motorbooks International Illustrated Buyer's Guide)


Bsa Twin Restoration


BSA Unit Singles: The Complete Story including the Triumph Derivatives


Bsa Motor Cycles: Since 1950 (British Motor cycles since 1950)


BSA Unit Twins


BSA 500 & 650 Twins: The Essential Buyer's Guide


Triumph and Bsa Triples


How to Restore Triumph Trident T150/T160 & BSA Rocket III: YOUR step-by-step colour illustrated guide to complete restoration (Enthusiast's Restoration Manual)
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