Beautiful. Always thought the BSA had a great look. The tank and badges had a jewel like quality,at least to my young eyes. Saw one go up in smoke at a gas station in the west end of Duluth. When the tank blew it made a perfect smoke ring that floated over the station. My interest in motorcycles was at it's beginning. Your BSA is gorgeous.
back in the mid sixties, my next door neighbour had a Gold Star with a close ratio gearbox. I was so jealous. That thing could get up to about 60mph in first gear! Sounded fantastic too. He knew which leg to use to start it too. ;-)
Back in the sixties I had a triumph 350 then a Norton ES2 500 single. Passed my bike test on a 1949 DOT street bike with a 197cc Villiers engine. 3 speed gearbox and a top speed on the speedo of 55mph. Girder forks at the front and a hard tail at the back!
Brings back memories. BSA, Triumph, Arial, Norton, Matchless and Vincent were all great bikes. Not a lot of displacement but all were smooth and quick on acceleration. In the 1950's an English bike with 650cc was considered a big engine. That's 40 cu in, now some of the new Harley's are well over 100 cu in. Quite a difference.
And then in the 1960's came Honda - vibration free, far more reliable, and lighter. That and strikes in Britain put an end to British bikes. Harleys are a niche market bike.
When I was lad aged around 15/16 my old Ariel Red Hunter 500 single threw me over the handlebars whilst I tried to start it, its an experience one never forgets. Lovely sound on this BSA though, brings back fond memories. And how clean and detailed does he keep it, bloody awesome.
Dog sounds keen , let him have a go starting it next time ! I've got a '62 RGS which usually goes first or second kick with no choke, quarter throttle and mag lever on full advance - kicks back sometimes. Slightly rich carb settings but runs like a dream.
You really have excelled here with this total restoration, it looks absolutely superb, well done. But need some advice on how to kick it into life, have a read about OGRI he'll show you how its done. ha,ha, only funnin with ya. Top class and thanks for showing us this beautiful example of British metal.
I had a copy in edinburgh in 60s . The guy who made it seemed to design in advance of bsa. Clip ons, rear sets. gold star hubs, brakes a aluminium head that could take twin carbs, red frame white tank with unicorns on it! Frame red and drilled for lightness!
My best friends Dad had an early BSA Rocket...….It was incredible, we were in twin Cyl. heaven every time he fired it up ! As a young man I bought a 1968 441 Victor, a glorious "thumper". BSA Motorcycle's , always amazing !!!!!!!
Happy memories of my ' 63 Rocket Goldie, 842 SRO but yes that left leg staarting procedure , not the way to do it !.Complete with Eddie Dow Duetto 2LS front brake like mine had , when properly set up was incredibly powerful.
That's one extremely good looking bike, and I want one! Then again looking at your attempts to kick-start it, at my age there may be a possibility of getting hernia from doing the same.
A lot of folks seem pretty concerned with your starting procedure. How about you go and enjoy that terrific sounding beautiful bike you have there. I wish I had one like it. Thx j.
In the 1970s I used to have one quite like it - 1959 Super Rocket model, but with separate pipes and silencers. It sounded better than this one actually, although it didn't look as nice. (And it had a totally inadequate single-leading-shoe front brake.) I would start it off the stand, right foot on the crank, jump to raise left foot to at least the same height and use my weight to bring the crank down. One kick was nearly always enough. Fantastic bike, fond memories. You could go from 15mph to 95mph in 3rd gear...
hi thanks for your kindness , i have owned this RGS for some 18 years and enjoy the pleasure , as you see a lot of negative comments but im sure they like the bike
Err, I was taught *never* to kick it off on the stand. There was a legend of a guy used to ride a Manx Norton around Wolverhampton: when it stalled at the lights he had to jump start it! lol
My Beezer was a 54 A10 which cost me a tenner in 1965. Would just about do the ton with a favourable wind and a downhill slope. Usually started easily with a couple of prods and a bit of choke.Happy days.
There are a lot of parts on this bike that may not be correct for the model, for example the early 50's Lightning seat . I am not even sure the head light mount is BSA. But none of that really matters he has lashed togather a very nice looking bike that sounds great.And I would be proud to ride it. In fact the whole top tree looks to be from a late 70's Japanese bike,my guess Kawasaki? but I am not the last word in vintage motorcycle authenticity.
Jeff, It's a Taylor Dow Superleggera top yoke, a period mod. for Goldies. And the seat is the right one, albeit with some extra padding. The BSA Lightning was a 1965 model, by the way, not early 50s. The fuel tank looks like a Lyta alloy job, again, a common mod. in the 60s. I agree, it's a lovely old bike.
Try single cylinder old bikes with kick starters. They are vicious and can break a leg if not careful. I had an old kick starter in the sixties that was powered more miles by me pushing than by it running. Once running, it was a pure joy.
@@conanhayle Quite right! But alas, mis- management and apathy, not form the side of the designers but from the directors and managers sank the British motorcycle industry.
The oil cap on my BSA left a nice bruise on the inside of my thigh from starting ... the drill was tap on tickle the Amal pull the compression release and kick through then key on hold the compression release until the engine came past top dead center. Release the compression release and giver a stout kick. Pray that she didn't spit back and drive the kick starter into your foot.
Looked a bit awkward standing on the right side of the bike using the left leg to kick, however a lovely bike with a nice exhaust bark (and the dog's not bad either! :-)
I well recall the awe I felt in the late 60s (possibly very early 70-s) after switching from kick start British bikes to an electric start Honda. Absolutely magical!
lorenzo magazzeni Hi Lorenzo, I had a 1961 Clubmans DBD 34, started easily, find compression, ease it over tdc and give a long kick, started every time, on full retard ignition and a tickled carb.
The motorcycles made in Eastern Europe during the fifties and sixties had the kick start lever on the left. You could put the bike on its sidestand and stand beside it leaving your left foot firmly planted on the ground and kick the engine over with the right leg. The BMW boxers also had a left side kick start. A better method in my opinion. I miss the kick starter in general (I'm old school).
Beautiful. Always thought the BSA had a great look. The tank and badges had a jewel like quality,at least to my young eyes. Saw one go up in smoke at a gas station in the west end of Duluth. When the tank blew it made a perfect smoke ring that floated over the station. My interest in motorcycles was at it's beginning. Your BSA is gorgeous.
Thanks your welcome
That's a really well trained dog to hold the video camera like that!
Bit noisy!
Ha ha...did sound a lil impatient tho.
I thought it was the bikes owner... Growling with impatience to ride this awesome bike 👌👍
Pity it's not trained to piss off
Is that why it shut the hell up??
back in the mid sixties, my next door neighbour had a Gold Star with a close ratio gearbox. I was so jealous. That thing could get up to about 60mph in first gear! Sounded fantastic too. He knew which leg to use to start it too. ;-)
How old are you?
How old are you!
@@jezztech 69. Still riding but on a Triumph Speed Triple these days!
Back in the sixties I had a triumph 350 then a Norton ES2 500 single. Passed my bike test on a 1949 DOT street bike with a 197cc Villiers engine. 3 speed gearbox and a top speed on the speedo of 55mph. Girder forks at the front and a hard tail at the back!
Think guy in vid has a gold star aswell, saving his right leg cause it hurts?
A bike with beautiful looks, and even more beautiful sound.
2 minutes 12 seconds that vid. 2 minutes of bloody yapping. 12 seconds of perfection.
So used to seeing the Rocket Goldie with the chrome tank. Looks pretty sharp in pin-striped black!!
Geez man... That Beezer is already falling apart before starting and vibrating itself apart 😆
Good looking bike.
ha ha another very jealous would like it ,but cant afford it ,so slag it . looser
Brings back memories. BSA, Triumph, Arial, Norton, Matchless and Vincent were all great bikes. Not a lot of displacement but all were smooth and quick on acceleration. In the 1950's an English bike with 650cc was considered a big engine. That's 40 cu in, now some of the new Harley's are well over 100 cu in. Quite a difference.
Just last week I was riding with a friend whose Harley was 103 cu in BIGGER than my 67 Lightning!
And then in the 1960's came Honda - vibration free, far more reliable, and lighter. That and strikes in Britain put an end to British bikes. Harleys are a niche market bike.
Gorgeous kickstarting from left to right foot . X action. . Beautiful looking bike X nice leathers. . excellent video
Thanks glad you liked it, all part of the fun , I’ve had her 20 years
When I was lad aged around 15/16 my old Ariel Red Hunter 500 single threw me over the handlebars whilst I tried to start it, its an experience one never forgets. Lovely sound on this BSA though, brings back fond memories. And how clean and detailed does he keep it, bloody awesome.
Alan I know what you mean the rgs has a lot of compression so you need to get it just right. It’s never kicked back up to now thank god
Starts every bit as easily as my '69 Lightning Twin did. Gorgeous bike!
I love the dog grumbling away anticipating the bike noise proberly thinking my ancestors use to run after these back in the 1960s
Dog sounds keen , let him have a go starting it next time ! I've got a '62 RGS which usually goes first or second kick with no choke, quarter throttle and mag lever on full advance - kicks back sometimes. Slightly rich carb settings but runs like a dream.
Such a classically beautiful machine.
You really have excelled here with this total restoration, it looks absolutely superb, well done. But need some advice on how to kick it into life, have a read about OGRI he'll show you how its done. ha,ha, only funnin with ya. Top class and thanks for showing us this beautiful example of British metal.
I had a copy in edinburgh in 60s . The guy who made it seemed to design in advance of bsa. Clip ons, rear sets. gold star hubs, brakes a aluminium head that could take twin carbs, red frame white tank with unicorns on it! Frame red and drilled for lightness!
My best friends Dad had an early BSA Rocket...….It was incredible, we were in twin Cyl. heaven every time he fired it up ! As a young man I bought a 1968 441 Victor, a glorious "thumper".
BSA Motorcycle's , always amazing !!!!!!!
That dog is making the exact same noises as I make when I see an A10...
WTF what a brutal/beautiiful sound😍?!!
thanks she does sound awesome
Happy memories of my ' 63 Rocket Goldie, 842 SRO but yes that left leg staarting procedure , not the way to do it !.Complete with Eddie Dow Duetto 2LS front brake like mine had , when properly set up was incredibly powerful.
" All the gear and no idea "
Sounded like a Jack barking, but! Loved the bark of the Goldie!. Nuff said! 🙂
the sound,the pulse when it takes off,i've rode bsa's they are amazing and different from triumphs,two distinctive bikes,never let go
That's one extremely good looking bike, and I want one! Then again looking at your attempts to kick-start it, at my age there may be a possibility of getting hernia from doing the same.
That's why electric starts were invented lol
That motor sounds propper. Thumbs up
A lot of folks seem pretty concerned with your starting procedure. How about you go and enjoy that terrific sounding beautiful bike you have there. I wish I had one like it. Thx j.
In the 1970s I used to have one quite like it - 1959 Super Rocket model, but with separate pipes and silencers. It sounded better than this one actually, although it didn't look as nice. (And it had a totally inadequate single-leading-shoe front brake.) I would start it off the stand, right foot on the crank, jump to raise left foot to at least the same height and use my weight to bring the crank down. One kick was nearly always enough. Fantastic bike, fond memories. You could go from 15mph to 95mph in 3rd gear...
hi thanks for your kindness , i have owned this RGS for some 18 years and enjoy the pleasure , as you see a lot of negative comments but im sure they like the bike
@@stephendobbin9298 18 years and you STILL don"t know how to start it!! perhaps a little less polishing.
Perfect marriage of form and function. When the British really could make things that were the best.
Nice to see a rider properly dressed.
Pretty sure my Uncle had one of these, I can remember watching him when I was a little boy....Ton up era. Beautiful bike.
Why didnt he just kick it the correct way in the first place? Whats with the back the front left leg kick?🤔
Gorgeous bike. You definitely need some rubber cement. And a helmet and goggle she for the dog. She definitely wanted a ride.
Err, I was taught *never* to kick it off on the stand. There was a legend of a guy used to ride a Manx Norton around Wolverhampton: when it stalled at the lights he had to jump start it! lol
But what a great rumble ! To me, what a motorbike should sound like.. (even if he is a jessie)
He is more in style than a motorcycle.
Beautiful British classic. Got a BSA myself, unfortunately it has pedals and no engine (yup, they made pushbikes too).
😊 I had a BSA Firebird when I was 13.
Do you get the feeling the dog doesn't like loud motorcycles?
My Beezer was a 54 A10 which cost me a tenner in 1965. Would just about do the ton with a favourable wind and a downhill slope. Usually started easily with a couple of prods and a bit of choke.Happy days.
Bet you didn't use your left foot to start it.
To finish off this vid, it would have been brilliant to see the dog flying over the fence.
The dog starts up right away---it's got quite a bark but smelly exhaust I would think.
Good compression, beautiful motorcycle.
Still got the scars on my inner leg from those bloody kick starts . Rubber slides off leg carry on down kick start digs into leg magic !
Had it not been for that Expert Dog instructing the rider in every step of the starting procedure, the motorcycle may never have come to life.
What a beautiful machine, TLS front brake too.
I own a 1953 Golden Flash! Fully restored. It's my baby!
Lindsey Allison Westhaven hi they a good bike from that year enjoy it
I was about to say could you find a harder way to start it
Fantastic Sound 🙂
WoW. Beautiful machine.
There are a lot of parts on this bike that may not be correct for the model, for example the early 50's Lightning seat .
I am not even sure the head light mount is BSA. But none of that really matters he has lashed togather a very nice looking bike that sounds great.And I would be proud to ride it. In fact the whole top tree looks to be from a late 70's Japanese bike,my guess Kawasaki? but I am not the last word in vintage motorcycle authenticity.
Jeff, It's a Taylor Dow Superleggera top yoke, a period mod. for Goldies. And the seat is the right one, albeit with some extra padding. The BSA Lightning was a 1965 model, by the way, not early 50s. The fuel tank looks like a Lyta alloy job, again, a common mod. in the 60s. I agree, it's a lovely old bike.
This is why they were never used as a get away in a bank robbery.
OMG! What a gorgeous bike!
I love how the engine “growls” in the first minute of the video 😉
Thanks for your positive comment
Beautiful bike
Fantastic once the bike started.......the dog shut up.
That's one nice bike
They were such beautiful bykes. Their sound was so sweet.... Where is that dog?
great sound
Heaven.
Try single cylinder old bikes with kick starters. They are vicious and can break a leg if not careful. I had an old kick starter in the sixties that was powered more miles by me pushing than by it running. Once running, it was a pure joy.
Impressive sound..
Sounds lovely 👍👍
Sounded like music, to me!
Its hard to believe that the British were once capable of making products like this .
what you saying?? we ruled the World once
Conan Howard What 'ARE' you saying , lift you standard in writing .
I believe you meant 'you're' standard in writing.
@@conanhayle Quite right! But alas, mis- management and apathy, not form the side of the designers but from the directors and managers sank the British motorcycle industry.
@@henerymag no, its 'your'
The oil cap on my BSA left a nice bruise on the inside of my thigh from starting ... the drill was tap on tickle the Amal pull the compression release and kick through then key on hold the compression release until the engine came past top dead center. Release the compression release and giver a stout kick. Pray that she didn't spit back and drive the kick starter into your foot.
I had a 240 starfire, and when that kicked back it was enough m, Christ knows what one of these would be like.
Left leg? Looks funny and uncomfortable. Oh well if it works,
Chris chomley smyth it didn’t work lol
Even the dog was getting impatient.
Lucky to have both legs alright after kicking the almighty RGS.
God bless the RGS and Gold star family 👍👍👍
How’s the bike Steve. Please upload some latest videos or pictures. I’m restoring my RGS and some inputs from you would be helpful.
she is out next year and will appear with a new paint scheme , i have 4 fuel tanks one has just been restored
start better with the right leg
MrMagistik Exactly.
And there's no need to turn it to compression, it's a twin not a single. Just kick the fecker.
Beautiful motorcycle! Sounds awesome!
There's something about a kick start that sorts the men from the women ha ha . Beautiful bike by the way.
The doggy knows - when ever this engine is barking, he is switched off.
Where did you get those boots? Love em...
Looked a bit awkward standing on the right side of the bike using the left leg to kick, however a lovely bike with a nice exhaust bark (and the dog's not bad either! :-)
Left foot kick start, bit unusual!
Reminds me of when I was a Lad and had the mirror nice and low down so we could see up the skirts of girls on the pillion.
My Favourite Bike 😊
Damn that's lovely!
A beautiful machine, but personally, I preferred the 'Super Rocket' which was more practical for daily use !
Rule number one. Wait for the audience to go before starting a RGS
That bike, at rest, sounds just like a Jack Russell dog!
nothing like a Rocket Gold Star.
Stunning Motorcycle
Love the way the bike wouldn’t start
Who tf kickstarts a bike using left leg?
After he did it correctly, the engine started.
Well the shifter is on the right hand side so perhaps that’s the root of the confusion.
My soul BSA👍
Nice bike, like the front brake mod.
Cue old timers coming on here telling him how he’s doing it wrong....lol.....the bike’s a work of art BTW......
Why did you use the left foot? The right foot was so much more natural.
The gold star, what a beauty , but yiu had to be a man to kick start the bastard
I well recall the awe I felt in the late 60s (possibly very early 70-s) after switching from kick start British bikes to an electric start Honda. Absolutely magical!
this is a rocket gold star
lorenzo magazzeni Hi Lorenzo, I had a 1961 Clubmans DBD 34, started easily, find compression, ease it over tdc and give a long kick, started every time, on full retard ignition and a tickled carb.
What a crackin' looking bike.
you will soon knacker the centre stand like that, either start with right leg while body off bike, or , if on bike, start bike with stand up.
I bet you've always had an electric starter nice bike
Does that bike not have a compression release or did the rider just not use it?
dbmail545 rocket gold stars don’t have them it’s the 350&500 that have compression release . Thanks Steve
This little dog has "quick" start!!!!.
Jajajaja.
Guapoooo!!!
The motorcycles made in Eastern Europe during the fifties and sixties had the kick start lever on the left. You could put the bike on its sidestand and stand beside it leaving your left foot firmly planted on the ground and kick the engine over with the right leg. The BMW boxers also had a left side kick start. A better method in my opinion. I miss the kick starter in general (I'm old school).
mm thanks for that ,but not possible with the compression on this engine . and my 12 stone ,
Get a Kawasaki W650 !
Pleased to meet you Steven. Feel free to stay in touch.
Jeff
That dog wasnt barking when he finally kicked the bloody thing over
Cool old school bike and naughty dogs... hehehe..
Beautiful!
Use your right leg to start it