Legacy
Liberation since 1903
Standing for Birmingham Small Arms Company Ltd, BSA was founded in 1861 for the production of firearms. The motorcycle division was set up in 1903, and the first motorcycle followed in 1910. What came after made BSA, for a time, the largest motorcycle manufacturer in the world.
1861
Birmingham Small Arms Company
BSA is founded for the production of firearms, on 25 acres of ground at Small Heath. The factory is complete by 1863.
1903–1910
The first motorcycle
The motorcycle division is set up in 1903, and the first BSA motorcycle follows in 1910.
1914
The Great War
BSA produces 1.5 million rifles, 145 Lewis machine guns, motorcycles, the world's first folding bicycle, machine tools, aero components and shells, alongside Daimler staff cars and ambulances.
1920
Post-war era
BSA buys assets of the Aircraft Manufacturing Company and re-enters the car market in 1921. In 1924, four BSAs make motorcycling history by climbing Snowdon.
1930s
Inter-war years
The Lanchester Motor Company is acquired in 1931. The reliable Sloper gives way to the Blue Stars and Empire Stars, and BSA takes the Maudes Trophy for the most meritorious motorcycling performance.
1939–1945
World War II
BSA builds munitions components, Browning guns and shell fuses, plus 126,334 service motorcycles — all of them M20s.
1950s
The world's largest
BSA buys Triumph Engineering and becomes the world's largest motorcycle maker: one in every four motorcycles sold worldwide wears a BSA badge, with victories at Daytona and Santa Catalina.
1960s
Worldwide popularity
Queen's Awards to Industry in 1967 and 1968. By 1969 BSA and Triumph account for 80% of British motorcycle exports, and police forces around the world choose BSA.
1971–1973
Production stops
Despite the success, a £3m trading loss and production problems cause BSA to miss the market at home and in America. Sixty-three years of non-stop production end in the summer of 1973.
2016–2021
Resurrection
BSA Company Ltd is acquired in October 2016 by Classic Legends Pvt Ltd, a subsidiary of the Mahindra Group. In 2021 the all-new Gold Star launches as the marque's first new model.
“The next chapter in the brand's history is going to be an exciting ride.”
“For us, the new BSA Gold Star is not just a motorcycle, but an emotion, and we pursued the journey of bringing BSA back with utmost passion.”
The all new
BSA Gold Star
In 2021, after a tantalising wait, BSA Company Ltd launched its first new model, following its acquisition in October 2016 by Classic Legends Pvt Ltd, a subsidiary of the Mahindra Group.
Find out more →