An investigation was carried out on the mechanism and kinetics of cure of a two-component bismaleimide formulation, composed of 4,4’-methylenebis[maleimidobenzene] and 2,2’-diallylbisphenol A. In-situ real time study of the progress of reaction was conducted in the temperature range from 140 to 250 degrees C using remote fiber optic near-infrared spectroscopy. The obtained signal was clean, free of noise, and remarkably reproducible. The principal reaction observed was an alternating copolymerization involving maleimide and allyl double bonds. Maleimide homopolymerization was detected only in the initial stages of reaction at temperatures above 200 degrees C. The extent of self-condensation (or etherification) of hydroxyl groups on the allyl component, which leads to cross-linking, was observed to vary with reaction temperature, suggesting a path to tailor-making networks with desired morphology and physical/mechanical properties.