A couple of years later, BSA introduced its answer to Triumph's Tiger 100, in the shape of the A7 Shooting Star. This sporty, 32bhp version of the A7 used an alloy cylinder head, as also fitted to the 650 Road Rocket version, with special valve seat inserts, higher comp pistons (up to 7.25:1), sports cam and manual ignition control, operated by the rider's left hand. The Shooting Star also incorporated full width aluminium hubs and central cast-in alloy drum brakes. BSA claimed these were 'extremely powerful' and indeed they could stop the A7SS from 30mph in 29 feet on dry tarmac.

From 1954 the A7SS used BSA's swinging arm suspension with silentbloc bearings and hydraulic dampers, combined with the firm's duplex frame which possessed 'great lateral rigidity for high speed performance'. The A7SS cost typically £19 more than the standard A7 and came with a QD rear wheel and a 'thief-proof' steering head lock as standard - but if you wanted the full rear chain enclosure then that was a cost option.

The example you see here was a RealClassic concours winner a couple of years ago. When Claude Southall laid paws on his 1957 Shooting Star back in 1985 it was in reasonable nick, but done up to look like a Rocket Goldie (as you may be able to tell from the 'classic' blurry photo from the family album!). Over the following three years Claude returned the Beesa back to Shooting Star spec, doing all the work himself apart from the chroming, painting and wheel building; the latter was handled by Central Wheels. In fact, the Beesa was so far from standard that the forks, headlight, mudguard, tank, seat, wheels, exhausts and silencers all needed to be replaced before Claude was happy with the result.

The Motor Cycle magazine tested a very similar machine back in 1957 when it was brand new. They said that 'ease of handling, sweet transmission and smooth low speed pulling make the Shooting Star a delightful machine to ride in traffic, while zestful acceleration and steering cater admirably for the rider who wants something out of the ordinary in 500cc performance.' The A7SS reached 98mph and covered a standing quarter mile in 16.9 seconds; the earlier, standard A7 had been times at 17.6 seconds. So although the SS was significantly heavier (it weighed about 12lb more than the A7 of 1951), its performance had improved by a considerable margin for the time.

Prices for ready to ride, road legal Shooting Stars currently vary from around £3500 for a tidy bike on a private sale, to a giddy £7000 for an early (plunger frame) SS from an optimistic dealer. £5000 should buy a very good example with some kind of warranty from a trader. Just two years ago in 2010, similar bikes were selling for £3000, so values of this model have certainly accelerated of late - which means you should not expect an A7 which you buy now to appreciate dramatically in the near future.

Claude Southall is certainly happy enough with his Beesa. His Shooting Star has been a regular prize-winner at events since its restoration. As well as an RC prize, it has been presented with Best Motorcycle and Best BSA trophies, the George Burrows Memorial Cup and - 17 years after its restoration - it took the Best Post War prize at the Stafford International Classic Bike Show in 2005.

Spurred on by this success, Claude fitted a Steib S500 sidecar, one which dates appropriately back to the early 1950s. The underside of the chair had to be replaced then the whole sidecar was shotblasted, powder-coated, and sprayed the correct shade of green to match the bike. Finally, a friend helped Claude to complete the upholstery and he was ready to take the outfit into the public gaze once again.

'It's a good solid bike' says Claude; 'and very reliable.'

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Words: Rowena Hoseason
Photos: RC archive

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