What famous motorcycle company started by making guns?
In 1801 fourteen British gunsmiths formed the Birmingham Small Arms Company. The BSA company built their first motorcycle in 1903 and continued through 1972.
BSA built bicycles before motorcycles and even made cars for a short time.
BSA bought Triumph motorcycles in 1951, but when the British motorcycle industry started failing in the early 70s they dropped the BSA brand because Triumph's were selling better.
The company's logo is 3 crossed rifles to reflect their beginning. BSA air rifles are still being produced today.
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What are your thoughts on this subject?
45 Comments
Bill Coe
Royal Enfield. The Enfield Cycle Company began business making parts for the Enfield rifle. This legacy is reflected in the company logo, a cannon, and their motto, "Made Like A Gun".
Gordon Harmer
I had a BSA motorbike in the 1960s
joan musicmasters
Famous? I've never heard of it!
Sal Campion
My late father had a BSA bike and he used to take me to school on the back of it after working nights as a paint sprayer at Fords of Dagenham.
Corey Taylor
I guessed BMW because after WWI, the Versailles Treaty forbid any German companies to make anything military-related.
Peter Robertson
Had one of each.BSA bike and a rifle.Still got the rifle,wish I had the bike!
Vicky Rosenberg
never heard of BSA, so guessed Harley Davidson
Suraya Choudhury
I put Harley Davidson !
Michael Topliss
Got it.
Gillian Voice
Got this one.
Janette Will
Got it.
Irene Townsend
Got it right. Seems to have it in the back of my mind even though I don't know anything about bikes and especially guns
Cheryl Perkins
My husband had a BSA when we were courting and knew the answer.
roylynn
I still have a 65 650 thunderbolt and it's still a sweet bike
Rob Farr
I owned a 650cc model … a good machine … thanks for a good history trivia question
Grant McIntosh
My first bicycle was a BSA.