1969 BSA Rocket 3

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While it shared mechanical features with the Triumph Trident of the same year, the 1969 BSA Rocket 3 had a distinctly different design. Explore more photos of this motorcycle.

BSA built its name on four-stroke singles and twins, but in 1968, the company took a bold step by unveiling the three-cylinder BSA Rocket 3 motorcycle.

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Almost identical to the Triumph Trident, the Rocket 3 was powered by a 750-cc alloy overhead-valve engine generating 58 horsepower—enough to reach speeds approaching 120 mph.

Later versions would offer even more power and reach higher top speeds. In 1971, a Rocket 3 took first place at the Daytona 200, marking its final competitive appearance.

Had the Rocket 3 been launched three or four years earlier as initially intended, it would have made a significant impact. By 1969, however, its modern design and solid performance weren't enough to compete with the wave of new large-displacement motorcycles emerging from

Japan, most notably the Honda 750 Four, that year.

As a result, its production was short-lived, and it failed to become the savior BSA had hoped—and desperately needed.

Continue to the next page for a diverse collection of images showcasing the 1969 BSA Rocket 3 motorcycle.

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1969 BSA Rocket 3 Photos

The Rocket 3 featured angled cylinders and painted fenders.

In the late 1960s, BSA was in desperate need of a game-changer, and they pinned their hopes on the 1969 BSA Rocket 3 motorcycle. Sadly, it arrived too late to make the desired impact.