1962 BSA A10 Super Rocket (Part 1) - a new old classic vintage motorcycle in The Mighty Garage - 

I had one and its the craziest sounding bike ever

Love, love, love the A10s. The paint job looks professional, albeit a bit tacky. I'm liking it though!

How about an oily rag resto? Keep your very thorough mechanical approach and diligence but do not lose all that fantastic patina. Great channel and from a Brit very envious of your ex-Pat lifestyle.

Hi Mike That's going to be fun! I havent done a huge amount of work on my 63 Super Rocket, so my knowledge of the bike is scant. I did upgrade the front brake to a 2 LS from a later A65 Lightning. Some later Triumphs also used that 2 LS brake. It is a fabulous brake and it looks good on these bikes. There was a similar looking early 60s Eddy Dow 2 leader that some A10 owners installed back in the day, so its not totally out of place on there like a disc brake would be. A small modification is required to the front fork or to the brake plate, either item can be altered. You might get on just fine with the stock brake. I couldnt get much braking with mine and the 2 leader complete with a good chrome Dunlop wheel was available for just $100, that seemed a good deal.

I like the paint! Of course I'm paracel to orange paint on anything! Spread it out to the fenders! I really like the. Mighty Garage!

"Famous Last Words" !! Yep. That's a good start though !!

Hey, Mike, great bike! Don’t worry about the paint…..

Keep that SC (scrambler) gearbox. It's has the best ratio for driving and I was recommended a change to that SC-gearbox to my Gold Star in stead of the RRT2-gearbox that my bike had. My mentor even sade that I could use the SC-gearbox for racing with my Gold Star because it has the best ratio between the gears. No clutch slipping in first gear as on RRT2 and a usefull third gear. Good luck with Your restoration. Regards from Sweden.

Keep the period paint job. It's as "representative" as factory paint. Might just be the scrambler with wide bars, smaller tank, and SC gearbox, but street pipes added. Looking forward to the fix up !!

Painted by a hippy on his way to Woodstock haha. Love it Mike get it going well and keep it as it is.

You have an amazing collection of bikes

What a wonderful find! I agree with leaving this paint alone and maybe having another tank on hand.

The paintbox looks very periodic and it is cool. I specifically like the nice integration of the BSA tank logo into the flames. Cheers from Germany

Very nice bike, BSA pre unit twins are in my opinion the best BSA engines, much better than the following unit twins of the A 65s and A 50s. I have an Ariel Huntmaster which engine is basically an A 10 twin, this is a wonderful bike. I'm looking foward to seeing the next videos. Cheers.

Excellent. Look forward to more shed time. Don’t be shy to make them long episodes.

Oh Groovy Baby! Love the bike & its unique paint scheme. Rather than change the paint, why not change your gentle persona to match it? You can match your kit to the bike. Customize a helmet to match the bike's paint scheme. Have some fun. Be a hooligan. Can't wait to enjoy your methodical approach to reconditioning it. What a great subject bike. Good luck with it.

like or hate the pant job I would love it as it is part of the history of the bike and certainly is striking

Super cool. I like the paint job. Never see another like it. With the bike cleaned up, it should look quite dapper!

Love the super rocket and the paint job on the tank

Good luck with your new project (got my eyes on a Gold Flash for a future project), currently rebuilding a BSA A50, which has very similar bars on it! I don't think they are standard. The side stand lug on my B31 was loose when I got that, I think the braising just lets go after a while, I just welded it back on. First thing I would check is play in the timing side bush, if that's worn it's engine out for a rebuild.

Congratulations Mike great looking bike, love the look of the A10’s, one essential check on these is the timing side bush that the crankshaft runs in. If their is excessive play it can lead to low oil pressure and possibly serious engine damage, the A65 suffered with the same problem as well.

Mike, throwing in a vote for the paint. Uh, no. Very keen to see this new project! :-)

i like flames . . . I would keep those. cool bike!

Well done sir!

Just clean it! That's an awesome survivor you have there, the paint in my opinion should remain. Can't wait to hear it on the road. Also look forward to seeing your videos on this magnificent machine, thanks for sharing.

I like the paint and the handlebars! I also have a ‘62 Super Rocket and will be watching your progress intently. I hope you’ll be able to make it up for the VME’s 39th annual Isle of Vashon TT next weekend, Mike. Cheers!

Gorgeous BEESAH Mike! This is a new one for me.What an amazing find! 😁😁

My first big bike at 16 (before I was old enough to ride legally) then I've had a lifetime on Commandos, got another A10RR just before Covid, good value for money bike, was out yesterday on it but my god, the brakes!!! After being out on the Nortons last week these feel Vintage with a capital V with regards to stopping power

I like it the way it is. It goes with the era that the bike is from! I look forward to the work on this next project bike. I've been learning about BSA recently as well. Very cool!

Hey Mike ! I recently got back on line and have really been missing your series. I can’t wait to watch you work through this beautiful machine. ((Keep the paint as is😜) Congratulations on your recent acquisition. The condition of my pelvis and spine presently requires that I NOT ride my motorcycles- and it’s been a tough Summer. I’m hoping I can ride again next Spring. In the meantime I look forward to watching you thoroughly going over your bike and then working through the problems to find the best solutions. for assembling a safe, reliable machine. I just love the 60s British twins. Have a good week Mike. Sincerely, Joe O’Toole

Love the BSA. A10. Thorough clean up and inspect. Overhaul brakes. I wouldn't do any restoration. That bike is still evolving and looks like a bag of fun. Keep it like that! I'm Chris and I live in Warrington, England. I ve been subscribed for quite a few years and love your channel on RU-vid. Cheers. C

Hi Mike loving the a10!! I’ve just got another c15 to restore, just love BSAs.. I bet your so excited with it😊 keep us posted. Kind regards Eddie

Love this👍👍👍

Good choice mate. I have a 51 Golden Flash A10. Get ready for wetsumping...

Mike , that bike looks great , flames and all ( a Post-Card from The Past ) . I have admired the A10's for many-years , a Proper-bike and it's been-loved by someone to look this good after all the years . Dave NZ

Nice A10 Mike! It has the later frame with the 4 lugs in front, same as the RGS. I think the handlebars are not original. It needs a higher bar with chrome tubes for the cables. It originally came with a valanced chrome front mudguard. Airfilterbox is missing. Wrong Ammo meter. The rest looks pretty original(bolts etc.) nice seat and grabrail! Cheers Anton (tonupkid) The Netherlands

Looks great in your garage. Welcome to the world of BSA.

Looking forward to seeing and hearing more about progress on the new BSA... 👍

congratulations on the new bike! don't know much about BSA, but its a cool bike, especially the flames! your shirt is a definite must have too! look forward to more videos!

Mike, that’s a great looking bike. Not a fan of the flames but I wouldn’t change the orange color. Love the A10 design. The proportions seem perfect. Your were lucky to find such a good ,almost original example. Look forward to seeing it on the road with hopefully a minimum of work. Cheers, Dan 🏍✌️🇨🇦

Wow! What a great find Mike. Congratulations. I look forward to seeing this bike on the road. Good luck with the restoration.

Look forward to seeing what you do with the BSA. You have some great British bikes.

Can't wait for you to get stuck into this new project Mike. I know you will do a thorough job. I won't miss a video I promise you!

Hi Mike I'm suprised none of your channel followers haven't warned you about running an A10 that you don't know the history of . Think its a bad idea to start any BSA without taking the outer T / cover off and tugging on the L/H crankshaft nut with vise grips. Not a bad idea when changing the oil feeling for grit in the bottom of the oil tank . But your an excellent bike mechanic so u probably know this already. Jim

That's your 'winter project' sorted then Mike .. 😅 .. 😎 Looks to be 'all there', well enough to get started. Just when you thought you seemed to have a little space in the garage .. 😉 .. 😂 Good luck with the SR .. 👍atvb t .. 🏍

The paint job on the tank seems destined to live on, maybe just re-do the side covers? Lovely machine, looking forward to you dealing with the wet sumping, never really understood it start to finish. Would be helpful with my A65L ! Thanks so much for the content.

Cool bike! The front, and rear mud guard original pair?? The color, and chrome gas tank cool. The flames is cool . The pinstripe too much. Sorry my voice. George from Hungary.

Congrats on the new project, Mike! If you keep the paint job, maybe make it into a chopper..? Extended forks, king and queen seat...? Okay, kidding. 😃 Can't wait to see what you do with it! Cheers! 👍

I never saw this one coming, best of luck. Like mentioned already a chance for a Mike Tyler redo with bell bottoms after sourcing that chain guard!😱

Wow Mike you've got an Awesome Machine. This A10 SR is Super Cool. And it's in beautiful condition. ❤ Cheers

Love the flames 🔥

Oh yeah , forget to mention i luv the shirt , should market it .

Mike, that is beautiful. Congrats mate. Personally, I love that paint job.

So awesome I can't wait to see your progress with this stunning machine.

Love it , I owned a 250 bsa c 15 , when I lived in blighty. We called the bsa , bloody , sore , arse..

Hello Mike super video et magnifique bike 👍😍

Congratulations on the A10! It should be loads of fun.

Fantastic! A great winter poject.

My first bike was a 1957 Road Rocket. I profoundly wish I still had it. I’d love to find another that I could do justice to.

Hello Mike, nice bike! I am looking forward to the videos you will make on this bike. Keep the colour and the pinstriping. Someone must have spent some money to have it painted like that. Period custom look ! Greetings Uli

Very nice! I am also working on a 1961 Super Rocket. I have a clean 4" badge gas tank for you if you decide you need a replacement.

I absolutely love your choice to own this bike❤ I had a 69 lightning 650cc. I'm still sick for selling that bike.

The only real difference between the Super Rocket and the Road Rocket was a slight (.25 ) increase in compression ratio. the substitution of a monoblock for the racing TT carb with no tickover, the front brake went to 8" from 7" and that was about it. My first big bike was a Road Rocket and I loved and pampered it. The oil was changed every 500 miles and I also cleaned out the oil tank with petrol at the same time. I had the magdyno overhauled by an expert every year and i fitted stops to the gearbox slots to stop the primary chain getting too tight. I never had any bottom end problems, no rumbles from the timing side main bush and it started reliably on slight retard after fitting a new Amal Concentric. Great bikes the A10s but I had two OIF T-birds and enjoyed reliable transport from them. Despite the Comical hub brakes they braked MUCH better than the puny 7" sls braked Road Rocket and the OIF frame was a better handler too. With the TLC oil regime they never got the rumbles either. Great looking bikes too. Much under-rated.

Yes ! A flamboyant 🎆 Super Rocket needs a flaming paint on her tank ! 🤩. More seriously, seems to be complete and good condition. Is this easy to find in Oregon? Here in France, some A10 prices are close to stratosphere, or rust bucket from the barn ! Was my first bike when i was teen, some decade ago 😂 ! If i may, don't miss to take a look on the crankshaft lubricate hole, needs some work to do, but avoids a big surprise !

Lovely old bike, not in love with the flames, the colour is ok tho. Look forward to watching you service and repair bike . Cheers from AUS

That’s a Groovy paint job 😂

Cool! I like it.

I like the tank, not so sure about the side panel/oil tank. I have to agree, the engine is really good looking.

What a nice bike! Funny, just yesterday I was looking at Kawasaki W1's, basically a copy of this BSA. I much prefer the look of this pre-unit to the later egg-shaped cases. Personally, I'd restore it to the original factory look, but the artwork it has now does sort of represent the period. Congrats, Mike!

I had a 1956 Road Rocket I never should’ve sold 😢 I only rode it a couple of times as it was a bitch to start. I’m now pretty sure it was the magneto. It was a blue and chrome one in great original condition otherwise

Great bike. Hard to know which was to go with the paint. It's not really my style, but it's kind of the era, which makes it cool. I could see it growing on me. If you don't want the flamed paint job it's probably smart to find a second tank and side panels, although it looks like the right side panel is the oil tank, which makes it a little more of a pain in the butt. Now you need left side cover, oil tank and a tank if you want the stock look. Someone would probably buy all that stuff from you, but I like to keep parts with the bike, even if they're sitting in a box in my garage, I like to be able to move them along with the next owner... unless someone makes me an offer I can't refuse

Not a lot of people know their was a Rocket Gold Star 650 Twin in 1962-63 & think 🤔 all Gold Star are 500 singles. I know a guy with a Golden Flash ⚡ (Goldflash) 650 in need of a resto.

The paint doesn't hang me up. Polish up the rest of the shiny bits and it will look fantastic.

If you keep the color similar to your gold Norton, then hopefully the wife won't notice that you've gotten another bike.

have fun!

Hi Mike. Cool project. That paint job is very unique. I quite like it. Replace it with another set if you want, but please keep it as an option to put back on. How long does it take to swap a tank and side covers?

Great new bike! My own intro to classic British bikes is a 1961 Super Rocket that I just recently finished restoring. It was nowhere near as original or complete as yours, looks like you have a great head start. Hope you need only minimal work to getting it clean and roadworthy. I vote to keep the paint. PS whatever happened to the Manxman?

The paint wouldn’t dissuade me. Having owned a couple of A65’s and worked on a few A10’s I much prefer the latter over the former.

You have to keep the paint work. It's way cool.

I can tell you loads about about bsa. I have 3 a10 .you haven't mentioned about your engine code or number. I have 2 bikes with std on gear box there has been alot of about it being for scrambling am not convinced. But alot of biker's do say.its a bit stuck anywhere ha i am a fred dibner type. Old school.and a engineer. I've built most engines most types cars and bikes ta ra for now

I like it !

What’s happening with the man man, is it being neglected for a BSA 🤔

I think you'll enjoy bringing that bike up to scratch.

Fajna BSA gratulacje!

Yuk! Needs a ground up restoration.

Too many bikes now surely?