Hello and good evening,
I am new to the forum and after some advice on a bike I wish to purchase. I am not new to british bikes but I am new to BSAs. Below I have attached a picture of the bike I am looking at purchasing with a right up from the advertisement.
(https://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f15/Mk1mickey/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_5587_zpsapqtk9my.jpg) (https://s44.photobucket.com/user/Mk1mickey/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_5587_zpsapqtk9my.jpg.html)
The right up:
"This fabulous RGS replica has been the subject of three magazine articles the first in 1998 gives a detailed account of the build that included many genuine parts. The Super Rocket engine was rebuilt with a Nourish crank, genuine high compression RGS pistons, high output oil pump, new bearings and a Spitfire cam. Now fitted with a Newby primary drive and clutch kit the gearbox has also been upgraded with higher final gearing – giving it over 100mph top speed !
The frame comes from a 1955 A10 with a genuine RGS 190mm front brake and a rare Taylor Dow top yoke. Remaining in very good overall condition and in great running order the bike has a large history file with lots of old MoT's, buff log books and many parts invoices and receipts for the work that was done, plus the magazine articles that the bike was featured in. A well constructed bike that is probably better in real terms than many 'genuine' RGS's it certainly looks and rides as good for a fraction of the current market value." End of advertisement
I am looking at buying this bike for high days and a small amount of touring, I am a young man so the clip on don't worry me.
Further what are these bikes like to ride? Are they quick enough to keep up with everyday traffic (I appreciate it says over 100mph). Are the extras that the bike is fitted with worth it?
And finally the bit I don't like asking but it will be a substantial investment for me. The price. It is for sale for £10, 995. I believe from other comparisons and reading that this is a fair price considering the parts on the bike and the history (was owned by a classic bike contributor and has been in three magazine articles) but are these worth that sort of money in reality?
I am just after any other information that people can provide on these bikes as well, as there are not many bike guides for these out there.
I hope this post hasn't been a problem.
I look forward and am excited about any responses.
Kind regards,
Mike
Hi Mike,
Welcome to the Forum and hopefully to the BSAOC as well.
I am not and RGS expert but for a copy, the bike looks good except for the tank which should not be sloping down towards the front - easily rectified with the correct support rubbers.
I suppose a couple of questions really. Who is selling it? Dealer or private and what has happened to it since 1998? Are you assuming that all the things listed from then are still fitted? Look very carefully in to this bike to make sure that it is what it is purported to be.
Dave.
HI Mike welcome to the BSAOC Forum too
Well yes it will keep up with moden traffic and yes they are going up in Value, two things I can see one is the centre stand looks as if the lugs are worn on the frame or the stand as it seems to be leaning forward too much but just check it out, but i paid that price for mine last year and still have been spending pounds on it since to get it as good as it can be, so if you are Prepared to get it as it should be then go for it as they are a great riding bike so all good Fun and everyone on here has been a great help in what I have been doing to mine..... so good luck.................oh one thing mine has Not got is the 190 front brake.....I have seen them go for over £700 + which I had some dosh to get one I would :-)
Cheers Maurice
Dave, thanks for your quick reply. Yes it is a dealer, but a dealer in classic cars and motorcycles, not specifically bikes. Since 1998 I'm unsure of timelines but I do know that the classic bike magazine journalist Paul Miles owned it, and have seen pictures from when it is in his possession.
I am assuming the stuff listed is still fitted on the bike, and can attach further pictures from the advertisement if it helps? I'm just trying to find out as much information as possible about it.
Maurice, these things never are perfected are they hahaha. Thanks for your reply, and it's interesting what you say about the 190mm front brake. Where did you get yours from?
Kind regards,
Mike
Mike
If you mean the bike it was from Stratford upon avon well that's where I picked it up from.....but the sellers dad lived near london ...........as you could see in my picture my front is the 8"
Cheers Maurice
As a genuine RGS owner ('62 bike - see pic in a few posts back) I can comment. Replica looks very high standard and , assuming all those engine specs are real , then price is also very fair. Tank looks a bit odd maybe due to mounting angle but also could be a recent replica manufacture or from some other BSA model as chrome area seems smaller.
Don't use mine that much but when out and about it fits in fine with modern road conditions - mine has the RRT2 close ratio gearbox with a very tall first gear that I actually find very useful in slow moving urban traffic just keeping it in first most of the time. Cruising at 70 - 80 mph very comfortable and hitting a ton+ not a problem , not that I make a habit of it ! With the genuine RGS GA10 frame handling is excellent but you'll have the standard A10 GA7 frame which will likely feel a bit different.
Is there any frame difference is in the GA10 frame which makes it different from the FA/Ga7 frames? Head stock angle maybe etc?
I've found a standard FA7 frame to handle really well when pushed, better than my pre-oif A65
The geometry of the frames is the same.
Mike, it all depends on what you are looking for. So, here are a few constructive points. That bike looks O.K. but it's all in the detail. That bike I would catergorize as a "look-a-like" rather than a replica. Nothing wrong with that just so long as you know, and that it is reflected in the price. Taylor Dowe fork crowns are not that u.ncommon they do pop up on ebay quite often. Three things are immediately apparent. The headlamp should be a QD plug in unit. That was standard on all variants weather clubmans or tourer. The headlamp switch should be a 41sa. Both mudguards and stays are Gold Star type not RGS. Rear stays should be arrow head, front mudguard brackets should be welded on not bolted on as these are. Rear hub should be finned. Lots of detail needed for a rep. If you decide to buy negotiate. If you want to know what should be fitted pm me. Superficially it looks O.K. but it is a long way from being an RGS replica
Hi Mike,
I bought my RGS replica last year for £9,995 from a Sussex dealer and have been very happy with it. I have posted a photo separately to this message after sending this
It came with a lot of history - its been built with the correct parts, and since owning it I have come to know the previous (who owned it for 25 years) owner, who races classic motorcycles and has done since the 70's. He raced Ducatis for Vic Camp and competes in events still !!!.
After a steep BSA learning curve over the past year, and having joined and listened to the who know a lot more than me about gold stars from the local BSAOC I now appreciate even more that what I have is a faithful replica in terms of parts used in engine and frame details and other such detail (such as the arrow head brackets, number plate bracket, mudguard stays and flaring etc etc etc).
It was also the bike used in a VMCC competition a few years ago next to an original RGS with frame and engine number taped to see if visitors to a VMCC show could "spot the replica" from original parked beside it ... so Im happy its not an "insult" to genuine ones.
I could never justify the £20+ k for an original factory RGS - as similarly most of my classic car friends couldn't buy a genuine 1960s AC Cobra (incidentally built in similar quantities to RGS ) so this its as close to owning a RGS as I can get whilst still being able to afford my other motoring passions of my 1970 Mini Cooper S Sprints and speed trials and my 1981 VW camper with a subaru engine that I fitted last year too .
In last months Classic Bike mag an original 500cc Gold Star went at auction for "only" £10k (needing"light" recommissioning) ,
Currently prices for 50's 60's bikes are I think not on a steep rising curve .... If I were buying purely for a financial return I would speculate on later 70s and 80's classic bikes which I think will appreciate quicker - but its not just about the money for me and for me... the RGS is the dream bike from a different era.
For more money I could have got a not so good condition but genuine RGS ....
but I reasoned that I have enough on my plate and not enough in my wallet with other classic car motorsport interests to take on a restoration, or bring up to standard cheaper "look a like".
I wanted to buy my dream beautiful bike that was already well sorted, looked after and that I wouldn't lose money on (not a frame number and log book).
For more money I possibly could have got a tired but genuine RGS, bit I reason that for me, I was buying a bike not a frame number and log book.... and the cost of a genuine one in similar condition I just couldn't justify on my "budget for fun" vehicles.
I do totally understand the appeal, monetary value of and appreciate the genuine factory BSA Rocket Gold Stars and respect those who own maintain or want to own one. After all so few were made.
Hope my ramblings are helpful and do feel free to PM me if you have any other questions before you buy...
All other comments posted so for in reply to your question here I would endorse and agree with too
BTW - you have excellent taste and i am sure you won't regret it if you do -
I would call the dealer and make a 7 day offer of £9k on the table with your phone number and leave it with him for a week - no harm in making a bid and so few are buying at the moment the dealer will want some cash in the till ...
ps....I think this particular bike has been on the market for quite a while
Mike, in case you haven't committed to this one yet, you maybe want to consider a genuine 1963 Rocket Gold Star that we advertised in the April edition of The Star. The advert does say genuine but it has a standard gearbox and says the engine is not the original. On sale for £8200 in Northamptonshire. Email me for the guy's phone no. if you want to pursue.
Chris
editor@bsaownersclub.co.uk
Mike
PS
The July 2019 issue of Classic Bike has a buyers guide for the RGS which covers buying a replica - you can order back issues online off the CBG website.
Good luck and let us know how you get on....
Matt
PPS
That bikes number plate is registered as a "Rocket Gold Star" with DVLA
"Year of manufacture 1954 and date of registration 1955".....
As far as I know.....Rocket Gold Stars were produced by BSA from Feb 1962 for 18 months... Eddie Dow first produced customer "specials" in 1959.
This one isn't being represented as a "genuine" one, but worth knowing - if you didn't already..
If the bike had to be re-registered at any point you'd be able to label the V5 as anything you want. All my BSA's just list as their CC value, so my Lightning comes up as 650.
However, back when I was doing MOT's I would register on the certificate as A65 Lightning. Once the change was made it spat it out as that each year. Not long after the 40 year rule came in and so did a new MOT "online" computer system so I don't know if those changes are still available.