I remember drooling over these on the forecourt of my local dealer in South London as teenager back in 1967. The UK model had a larger 5 gallon tank and there were also factory accessories available to enable the Spitfire to compete in production bike races. I saw it in action at Brands Hatch circuit. A very fast and inspirational machine.
I never had an interest in old British bikes. I bought a Thruxton 1200R and was blown away by it. That led me to Weems and your channel. Your enthusiasm, descriptions, and history lessons made me fall in love. I will now be broke for the rest of my life and you are on my wife's sh@@tlist 😂 Thanks for the great content!
I just got in my truck to go up to Northern Vermont and pick up my BSA b50 special at the bike mechanic and your video popped up! It's a nice day here in Vermont and watching your enthusiastic video is a good omen for me right now!
Beautiful day, bugs in the teeth, great running 57 year old British iron. I'm about to join you--- riding my '67 T100 to work on a 60 mile round trip commute. Videos like this make me wonder--- why would anyone buy a modern bike? For the same amount of $$$ you could get three or four great oldies.
I love old bikes, there's a 68 Greeves 360 here shiny as can be......................but, every ride on my 2021 890R KTM is more addicting. It is the twin that pulls like a four from 6000 rpm on up. Modern has it's place. All these Wheelhouse videos make me want another old one though.
Nice work and great on-board footage! BSA kinda shot themselves in the foot with some ignition problems on the early bikes (bad points cam). Too bad 'cause they're bitchen bikes and very fast. I built a nice motor for my '67 A-65 (dynamically balanced crank, Venolia lower-than-stock-compression pistons and taller than stock gearing). Thing totally hauls ass on the highway. Brake tip: line the inside of the brake hub with sticky sand paper. Then slowly turn the wheel by hand while engaging the brake shoes. This will shape the shoes to the drum for significantly better braking performance. Magnetic drain plug is also a good idea and makes it easy to drain the sump when it fills with oil after not being run for a few months.
Congratulations! Son! WOW! 10,000 Followers! Great Job sealing the tank on this sweeeeeeet Spitfire and protecting that original paint! Ready to ride! 😎🌵❤️ Mucho
Hey Bill..Another Awesome ride on a "close to home/heart" bike. I grew up around Brit Bikes as part of my family..mainly my Uncle..BSA's and 1 Triumph. Sitting on a milk crate as a 5year old and he started his Gold Star(made into a Desert Sled) What a Sound! I just finished last year my restoration of a 1966 A65L Lightening,,a tribute to my Uncle. Love, Love.what you do here and never ever will get tired of that scenery up there! Thank U for All You Share! Most Sincerely... SCH
Hello Steven! I really appreciate your kind words here and I'm so pleased that you're enjoying the videos. Nothing like the sound of a Gold Star! Congrats on your Lightening!
Nice bike and as you-say , it's all about the-Fun . I've ridden a few BSA 650's and really enjoyed them (loaned over summer ) never a Spitfire though . I have a W650 I ride regularly which is similar-enough , more like an old A10 and it has a kick-start unlike the newer W800-model (what were they thinking ) . 70 next-year and I've owned most of the (now) older-cult-bikes but I'd still love a BSA 650 and a Commando , two that I've never-owned .All my 250-kph+-bikes are long-gone, back to the simpler-stuff these-days . I Was going to get out for a ride today but it's nearly 3 and the rain has just started , maybe tomorrow... Dave nz
Hi from the UK. Interesting about the tank. I repatriated a Hornet from the US and it had a fibreglass tank which I did reseal it, but after about 6 months I found the seal was breaking down. The bike started running rough and became hard to start or get to tick over. Stripped the carbs and they were clogged with black sticky stuff. Got a replica tank in alloy from India. It’s great quality. Love the show and some great bike. CT
@@wheelhousegarage you know what, although it was built here in the UK it’s really a bike for the deserts and tracks of the US. It’s an awesome machine and NOISY. Love your channel. Christopher
My repair lasted 25 years. I used a two-part aviation tank sealant which produced a rubber bladder. Ethanol finally seeped in around the petcock threads and softened the entire underside of the tank. I’m ready to buy a steel replacement. 65’ Spitfire Hornet.
I was happy to see you chose caswell sealer as that is what I will be Be using on a vintage Suzuki tank..first attempt on sealing a tank for For me.love the brit bikes as my dad always owned Triumphs And I rode my buddy in in grade school dads BSA's 441 Victor And a 500 Gold star. Love the channel.
"These brakes are great!" That is something you will rarely hear about any old british bike. Cool that they work! This particular BSA to me, sounds better than all the other old bikes you have fired up, it just sounds tight and quiet and has a nice snort to it. I had a 73 Triumph 750 Tiger, first year with Lockheed ft disc brake, that sucker would chirp the front tire at 60 mph, it stopped pretty well! The electrics? A very sore subject. Needed a magneto. 1973 was the year of the walkout/strike at Triumph, not a banner year for Triumph bikes. Although Ted Simon rode a 73 500 around the world and got it new from Triumph. 60,000+ miles on his bike.
Great video. Brings back some memories. I tore around on a 1968 BSA 650 Lightning in the late 60’s, early 70’s. A teen with no helmet and no eye protection. Just jumped on it and rode. I never thought it was exceptionally fast, but it was exceptionally fun.
Rock n roll!! Great old bikes! I had an A65 Star (1964) back in 1974. Big ends were knocking when I bought it so did a full engine rebuild (on paper round money). Mine had a single monobloc but it was quite warn out so treated it to a new concentric. I never bothered fitting a choke, it always seemed to start first kick with just a tickle and it was running 6 volt Lucas electrics!!!! Watching your video, riding through some gorgeous scenery, makes me wish I'd kept the old beast. I've enjoyed some of your other BSA videos too, the Victor etc. Keep em coming. All the best, Phil (UK)
Something that might draw interest to the channel, is have viewers send in a pic of their latest bike or project. And show it! Ive seen other channels do this and it gets a big response.
You know what makes me so mad 😡 is you literally have every motobike I would ever want and I quietly think that the mass public isn’t aware of these vintage gems 💎 but yet here they are on full display, possibly driving up the bargaining price with the historic research! It’s cool 🥹😑😕! Love the videos bro 🧐
I've used Caswell Tank Sealer on several bike fuel tanks including two fiberglass tanks and all are perfect with the oldest more than 12 years old. I don't drain the tanks ever. The sealer is excellent. The instructions must be followed of course. Great sounding bike. Old school pushrod twins just sound magical to me.
I looks for all the world like you're riding through the East Coast of New South Wales, Australia, beautiful country. The bike you're riding is my all time favourite, I was 13 when it came out and I've lusted after one ever since, though never did have the pleasure. Great series, thank you.
Sounds soooo good. The Spitfire MK III was my dream bike as a young teen, but by the time I was in my early 30's, I had been working on Japanese bikes for over a decade. An opportunity to pick up a MK III came up for a good price, and I almost jumped on it. However, a quick read through the Haynes manual put me off- you had to pull the left case and an outboard bearing just to change the front sprocket!
I had a 67 500 Gold Star and loved that rubber bung center tank bolt, way better than the Bonnies I also owned from time to time. If you can keep these old Brit bikes purring like that, may you find many more of them to resurrect.
I used to have a 1954 Norton Dominator. I had racing linings fitted the the front brake. I used to stop the bike using just two fingers. My mates nearly fell off if they borrowed the bike and weren't expecting the stopping power!
Doing something similar on my 69' Tiger, tank had an old Kreem liner which I had to soak in acetone for 3 days to get about 85% of the old liner out. Screws, more acetone, shaking, power washer and finally most all of it is gone. Now I am soaking it in vinegar for 5-7 days to eat the rust. I hear the great thing about the Caswell product is that you can put it over rust and it will still work. Trying to get all the rust out of my tank, but still sounds like a great product that will work in adverse condition. Keep up the good work on the videos they are awesome!
Lovely bike.What a sound.A good habit to get into especially if its been stood for a bit is to kick it over a few times with the clutch lever pulled in before starting as the plates can stick a bit.
just a note for anyone lining a petrol tank make sure the coating system you are using is ethanol resistant, if it isn't it will turn into a gooey mess that will destroy the bike as it will jam up the jets and make the bike run lean and the engine will go bang,
I know it’s not a pom bike but I hotted up a Yam SR 500 and caffed it up and to this day it stands out as my favourite bike amongst many Ive had. Big 500 single, mucho love.
My Brother had one . I rode it quite a few times in high school. Vibration killed headlight bulbs and zener diodes . Nice Smiths gauges and aluminum rims. Lucas was the weak link with British Rubber.
BSA = Big Smiles Always! Great show as always. It’s so nice that there are so few cars on those gorgeous twisty roads where you are. I praise the Lord that I bought my first BSA in 1979 . I had no idea what it was at the time 😂.
Nice quiet engine on that one. It sounds like it's got a bit of life left in it. A fellow that I know had a Thunderbolt, which was the single carb version, and that went more than well enough. The Lightening is a step up from that.
What a Blast! Received the shirts, well worth the short wait for 3xl. Will be spreading the word about Wheelhouse Garage all of 2024 riding season in Central IL.
Always liked these. That one sounds just fine! Never did get to ride one. Did the Rocket III instead and that was a fantastic machine. Love the drywall screw idea - I’ve got a Triumph T-140 tank to do and will certainly use this. Riding my vintage Triumph gives me joy I can’t get from my later and much faster bikes. If you’re ever replacing tyres, look at the Avon AM 26 bias-belts - they’re fantastic on this sort of bike. 👍🏻
Some 40 years ago I got a second engine for my A65T when it was needing some work done on it, and that was a Spitfire engine that had been raced in the TT. It was fast and I was using it with my touring set up.
I'm jealous! The snow storm is just clearing up here. The '67 Spitfire is the sweet street bike in the BSA line., love mine! You are lucky w/ a great road to ride w/ a "Horsepower Hill'! Cheers
I beleive the fastest one was the 1st one. It featured 10.5 to 1 comp, racing camshaft & Amal GP10 Carbs. I am sure this bike may have been in the higher 120's mph. One of the popular conversions was the timing side main bearing upgrade from Bush to bearing and oil redirected to crank end. I had a 69 Lightening with Firebird pipes and the peanut tank, Oh the sweet sound of those high pipes. All the bikes with the high pipes BSA Norton Triumph had great sound, Not sure if the mufflers were glass packed. Also ridden the Hornett good Vibrations.
Came for the road test, stayed for the tank sealing tips. Recall a guy doing a huge wheelie on a 1968 Spitfire near Welland Ontario Canada back in 1968, can still see it in my mind. Very impressive power and gorgeous bike.
Did the screws take all of the old liner off... or do you just pour the new liner over what won't come loose? When I'm painting a tank or cleaning the inside or doing a liner, I use silicone tapered plugs that I buy on amazon. (I think they're used for powder coating, to keep the threads clean.) A bag of various sizes is 15 bucks and they work well. I'll stick two into the petcock holes and they seal it up... you gotta kinda screw them up in there good and tight, but that'll stop any leaking. If I'm painting, I'll use the smaller plugs to put in tank badge holes and other holes I don't want paint to get into. And for the gas bung hole on the tank, get some expanding plumbers plugs. The one tool I didn't know I needed until I bought one. They have a wing nut on top that expands the rubber plug when you screw it in. You put one of those in your gas hole you can hold the tank upside above your head and shake it... nothing's coming out. And it's quick and easy to put on and take off. If you go to Amazon and search for "1.5 inch expansion pipe plug" you'll see what I'm talking about. That's the size that works for my triumph tanks, but I have a few different sized plugs for oil tanks and other things. I'm paranoid about leakage and getting chemicals or liners on paint.
Great lookin n sounding bike man, I guess I should've waited for today before I started asking question about what happened putting in the tank yesterday....lol.... cheers 🍻
Just found your channel ....... have always been into British iron ..... have owned a BSA 441, 72 650 Tiger in Europe with the big fuel tank, BSA Rocket Three .... and the only one left in my shop is a 1970 Triumph T100R wonderful that you are sharing your passion and your motorcycle business with us ....Thank You !! Alan Boston
Congratulations on 10,000 subscribers! That Carnegie brick is in very nice condition , I have several used and on I in like new condition as well. Cool 😎
I fix old bikes. Good job on the Caswell. I think I may have been one of the people that is partially responsible for the new colored tank kits. Years ago I called the company and suggested that with the clear epoxy you see nasty metal under it. Hah
Beautiful tank...I did a metal tank like that.....here's what I did: I got some Rust Buster plus sand and gravel....put it in the tank.....shock it several thousand times......washed it out with gasoline.....followed with water/detergent.....water. Blew it dry.....washed out with methanol, followed with lacquer thinner....set it out in the sun and it looked like new inside. Next day I used sealer. Beats hell out of trying to pick out paint chips. Good luck!
I bought a 1967 MK2 when it was about a year old. It had twin Amal GP carburettors with a central "fag packet" float chamber, and was faster than the MK3 which had Amal Concentrics. BSA made the change because the GP setup cost several times as much as the Concentrics. The BSA engine has a weakness in that the crankshaft end float was controlled by the small timing side main bearing, and if it wore the result was some serious engine damage. The MK3 is more rideable than the MK2 as the latter has a bit of an all or nothing power delivery, with it coming in between 4000 and 7000 rpm and not a lot of useable power at lower revs because of the racing carburettor setup.
Great video of a great bike. As for the drum brakes, there is nothing wrong with them, they work fine. People who claim they don't, don't know how to setup a drum brake properly.
Back in the day I thought the Spitfires were the most perfect looking bike. Now it just part of a list of tops. However I always picture them with lower flatter handlebars and that throws this example off a bit for me but great none the less. Of course in those days it was advisable to disassemble the engine and check if the piston clearance was too small before your rode it or so I've heard tell.
Love that Spitfire! I have a 1970 Firebird Scrambler. I had a 1971 B50MX , but it got stolen about a year ago.Love Beezers. Hey where did you get that duckbill for your helmet?
Thank you for a video from a beautiful part of a US, just found your channel. However I'm a current and long time BSA A65 owner and some of your comments and bike behavior are strange to me. First you claim you had a Lightnings and Thunderbolts but this Spitfire is much faster - there were no technical differences between those models in 1967 other than single carb in Thunderbolt case giving it more torque at lower revs. Engines compression ratios, "racing" camshaft and primary / gearbox ratios were all the same. Bike looks and sounds well but you kicked it to life like no compression was there. I have to slightly hop on my kicker to overpower compression of my bike with my 85 kg of weight. Perhaps it has lower compression pistons installed. I had them in my former A65 and liked them a lot. Contrary to popular belief they didn't make bike any slower but much easier to start and less vibratory. If this is a fresh acquisition, congratulations are in order - it looks like a good one.
What many people believe that drum breaks don't have the stopping power of disk. Not true, the only advantage to disk is the repeated hard breaking. Disk fade less and are less effected by heat.
ive owned truimphs and bsa lightning and thunder bolt its the sound thats awesome and they got plenty of looks too, but riding them and hearing the engine like tappets clunking brings real classic bikes into their own now i own an indian scout no more kick starting like the old british bikes use to p..s me off at lights stalling trying to find neutral and kicking it with 5cars behind me
Video is good, interesting and of course a nice bike. Music is overpowering, far too loud and just too much - I had to keep turning the volume down when playing and back up when not. Just a constructive criticism 🙂
Your wife lets you do this at the kitchen table??!! I used to reload for my pistol league at the dining room table, but that was between marriages. That was a great bike, unfortunately a Beeser, but they looked better than the Triumphs.
I got into 650cc British bikes in the early seventies. First Triumphs, then BSAs. Both were fast. But the BSAs seemed to have more low end torque than the Triumph. I thought it might be a longer stroke engine than the Triumph’s? Was a long time ago…
@@jimifed2798 Hmm… Yea, mine was a single carb unit construction late 60’s. But for some reason that engine pulled like a tractor compared to my T-6 Triumph. That BSA could just about pull away from a standing start just idling.
![เก่งแต่ลับหลัง (FINSTA) - ส้ม มารี (Zom Marie) Ft. Punch 4EVE [Official MV]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/OOolBU2aC70/mqdefault.jpg)
![พบรัก - INK WARUNTORN [Official MV]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/n2wjOYVC38Y/mqdefault.jpg)
That bike is the epitome of what the BSA brand is all about. It has it all.
Amen!
I remember drooling over these on the forecourt of my local dealer in South London as teenager back in 1967. The UK model had a larger 5 gallon tank and there were also factory accessories available to enable the Spitfire to compete in production bike races. I saw it in action at Brands Hatch circuit. A very fast and inspirational machine.
I never had an interest in old British bikes. I bought a Thruxton 1200R and was blown away by it. That led me to Weems and your channel. Your enthusiasm, descriptions, and history lessons made me fall in love. I will now be broke for the rest of my life and you are on my wife's sh@@tlist 😂 Thanks for the great content!
88
0
Hahaha! Welcome to the Brit Bike fanatics club!
Birmingham and Hinkley bikes are worlds apart. Be prepared to do far more maintenance. Enjoy.
TH-cam sure makes the world smaller, and the cool part is the enjoyment of the free spirits that live in the great country we have been blessed with.
Amen Robert!
I just got in my truck to go up to Northern Vermont and pick up my BSA b50 special at the bike mechanic and your video popped up! It's a nice day here in Vermont and watching your enthusiastic video is a good omen for me right now!
Yes, Bsa made so many amazing machines and the B50 certainly is a good one. You should post a video of your bike.
Sweet! Congrats and have fun!
Beautiful day, bugs in the teeth, great running 57 year old British iron. I'm about to join you--- riding my '67 T100 to work on a 60 mile round trip commute. Videos like this make me wonder--- why would anyone buy a modern bike? For the same amount of $$$ you could get three or four great oldies.
I love old bikes, there's a 68 Greeves 360 here shiny as can be......................but, every ride on my 2021 890R KTM is more addicting. It is the twin that pulls like a four from 6000 rpm on up. Modern has it's place.
All these Wheelhouse videos make me want another old one though.
Wisdom!
Nice work and great on-board footage!
BSA kinda shot themselves in the foot with some ignition problems on the early bikes (bad points cam). Too bad 'cause they're bitchen bikes and very fast. I built a nice motor for my '67 A-65 (dynamically balanced crank, Venolia lower-than-stock-compression pistons and taller than stock gearing). Thing totally hauls ass on the highway.
Brake tip: line the inside of the brake hub with sticky sand paper. Then slowly turn the wheel by hand while engaging the brake shoes. This will shape the shoes to the drum for significantly better braking performance. Magnetic drain plug is also a good idea and makes it easy to drain the sump when it fills with oil after not being run for a few months.
Nice tips! Thank you!
Great vid. I’m 72 and learned to ride big bikes on a 1963 Thunderbolt.
Same here. Got a 250 Starfire in 67 then got a Thunderbolt. I'm 74 and currently riding a royal enfield classic 500 - very similar to the Starfire.
so cool!
Congrats Bill! The old Spitfire sounds pretty darn sweet!
Congratulations! Son!
WOW! 10,000 Followers!
Great Job sealing the tank on this sweeeeeeet Spitfire and protecting that original paint!
Ready to ride!
😎🌵❤️ Mucho
Thanks Dad!
Hey Bill..Another Awesome ride on a "close to home/heart" bike. I grew up around Brit Bikes as part of my family..mainly my Uncle..BSA's and 1 Triumph. Sitting on a milk crate as a 5year old and he started his Gold Star(made into a Desert Sled) What a Sound! I just finished last year my restoration of a 1966 A65L Lightening,,a tribute to my Uncle. Love, Love.what you do here and never ever will get tired of that scenery up there! Thank U for All You Share! Most Sincerely...
SCH
Hello Steven! I really appreciate your kind words here and I'm so pleased that you're enjoying the videos. Nothing like the sound of a Gold Star! Congrats on your Lightening!
Nice bike and as you-say , it's all about the-Fun . I've ridden a few BSA 650's and really enjoyed them (loaned over summer ) never a Spitfire though . I have a W650 I ride regularly which is similar-enough , more like an old A10 and it has a kick-start unlike the newer W800-model (what were they thinking ) . 70 next-year and I've owned most of the (now) older-cult-bikes but I'd still love a BSA 650 and a Commando , two that I've never-owned .All my 250-kph+-bikes are long-gone, back to the simpler-stuff these-days . I Was going to get out for a ride today but it's nearly 3 and the rain has just started , maybe tomorrow... Dave nz
Hi from the UK. Interesting about the tank. I repatriated a Hornet from the US and it had a fibreglass tank which I did reseal it, but after about 6 months I found the seal was breaking down. The bike started running rough and became hard to start or get to tick over. Stripped the carbs and they were clogged with black sticky stuff. Got a replica tank in alloy from India. It’s great quality. Love the show and some great bike. CT
"repatriated" - What a great word!!
@@wheelhousegarage you know what, although it was built here in the UK it’s really a bike for the deserts and tracks of the US. It’s an awesome machine and NOISY. Love your channel. Christopher
My repair lasted 25 years. I used a two-part aviation tank sealant which produced a rubber bladder. Ethanol finally seeped in around the petcock threads and softened the entire underside of the tank. I’m ready to buy a steel replacement. 65’ Spitfire Hornet.
I was happy to see you chose caswell sealer as that is what I will be
Be using on a vintage Suzuki tank..first attempt on sealing a tank for
For me.love the brit bikes as my dad always owned Triumphs
And I rode my buddy in in grade school dads BSA's 441 Victor
And a 500 Gold star. Love the channel.
"These brakes are great!" That is something you will rarely hear about any old british bike. Cool that they work!
This particular BSA to me, sounds better than all the other old bikes you have fired up, it just sounds tight and quiet and has a nice snort to it.
I had a 73 Triumph 750 Tiger, first year with Lockheed ft disc brake, that sucker would chirp the front tire at 60 mph, it stopped pretty well! The electrics? A very sore subject. Needed a magneto.
1973 was the year of the walkout/strike at Triumph, not a banner year for Triumph bikes.
Although Ted Simon rode a 73 500 around the world and got it new from Triumph. 60,000+ miles on his bike.
Who needs fuel injection,, ride control, and all that new stuff. Had a 1972 Triumph 650 Tiger, and a 1976 Bonny. Love those old bikes!
Preach!
Great video. Brings back some memories. I tore around on a 1968 BSA 650 Lightning in the late 60’s, early 70’s. A teen with no helmet and no eye protection. Just jumped on it and rode. I never thought it was exceptionally fast, but it was exceptionally fun.
Thanks for watching!
Rock n roll!! Great old bikes! I had an A65 Star (1964) back in 1974. Big ends were knocking when I bought it so did a full engine rebuild (on paper round money). Mine had a single monobloc but it was quite warn out so treated it to a new concentric. I never bothered fitting a choke, it always seemed to start first kick with just a tickle and it was running 6 volt Lucas electrics!!!! Watching your video, riding through some gorgeous scenery, makes me wish I'd kept the old beast. I've enjoyed some of your other BSA videos too, the Victor etc. Keep em coming. All the best, Phil (UK)
That's brilliant 👍
Rock n roll!! Thanks Phil!
Bill, I had a ‘68 Spitfire Mk IV. You are bringing back a lot of great memories. Oh yes, I ordered one of your “Old Guy” long sleeve t-shirts.
Thank you so much for the support, Keith! Your T-shirt went in the mail yesterday👍👍
Something that might draw interest to the channel, is have viewers send in a pic of their latest bike or project. And show it!
Ive seen other channels do this and it gets a big response.
Great idea👍
Solid idea
You know what makes me so mad 😡 is you literally have every motobike I would ever want and I quietly think that the mass public isn’t aware of these vintage gems 💎 but yet here they are on full display, possibly driving up the bargaining price with the historic research! It’s cool 🥹😑😕! Love the videos bro 🧐
I very rarely see any classic bikesout on the road here in the uk im always out on my 59 flash the looks I get are amusing 👍🇬🇧
LOL!
Excellent. Great roads, great bike. What more could you want. Thank you from a wet UK.
Wowie!! That was a fun ride.
I didn’t even mind the bugs that much. 🐞😎
Haha part of the experience I guess
Sounds like it was a day for a vintage face shield! Killa machine!
I've used Caswell Tank Sealer on several bike fuel tanks including two fiberglass tanks and all are perfect with the oldest more than 12 years old. I don't drain the tanks ever. The sealer is excellent. The instructions must be followed of course.
Great sounding bike. Old school pushrod twins just sound magical to me.
Agreed! Caswell for the win
God this man is living the best life 🥹
I'm very fortunate. Thank you!
Great looking bike and nice roads you have there
Many thanks!
What a cool bike! It looks and sounds awesome.
Thank you Brian!
I looks for all the world like you're riding through the East Coast of New South Wales, Australia, beautiful country. The bike you're riding is my all time favourite, I was 13 when it came out and I've lusted after one ever since, though never did have the pleasure. Great series, thank you.
My pleasure! Thanks for watching!
Sounds soooo good. The Spitfire MK III was my dream bike as a young teen, but by the time I was in my early 30's, I had been working on Japanese bikes for over a decade. An opportunity to pick up a MK III came up for a good price, and I almost jumped on it. However, a quick read through the Haynes manual put me off- you had to pull the left case and an outboard bearing just to change the front sprocket!
I had a 67 500 Gold Star and loved that rubber bung center tank bolt, way better than the Bonnies I also owned from time to time. If you can keep these old Brit bikes purring like that, may you find many more of them to resurrect.
Hoping so! Thanks for watching!
I used to have a 1954 Norton Dominator. I had racing linings fitted the the front brake. I used to stop the bike using just two fingers. My mates nearly fell off if they borrowed the bike and weren't expecting the stopping power!
Haha. I've still never ridden a Dominator but have enjoyed admiring them very much.
Doing something similar on my 69' Tiger, tank had an old Kreem liner which I had to soak in acetone for 3 days to get about 85% of the old liner out. Screws, more acetone, shaking, power washer and finally most all of it is gone. Now I am soaking it in vinegar for 5-7 days to eat the rust. I hear the great thing about the Caswell product is that you can put it over rust and it will still work. Trying to get all the rust out of my tank, but still sounds like a great product that will work in adverse condition. Keep up the good work on the videos they are awesome!
Thanks for the kind words. Will do!
Lovely bike.What a sound.A good habit to get into especially if its been stood for a bit is to kick it over a few times with the clutch lever pulled in before starting as the plates can stick a bit.
just a note for anyone lining a petrol tank make sure the coating system you are using is ethanol resistant, if it isn't it will turn into a gooey mess that will destroy the bike as it will jam up the jets and make the bike run lean and the engine will go bang,
I know it’s not a pom bike but I hotted up a Yam SR 500 and caffed it up and to this day it stands out as my favourite bike amongst many Ive had. Big 500 single, mucho love.
It's all good man!
Hey man, if it has two wheels & a motor, count me in! Brakes optional.
My Brother had one . I rode it quite a few times in high school. Vibration killed headlight bulbs and zener diodes . Nice Smiths gauges and aluminum rims. Lucas was the weak link with British Rubber.
BSA = Big Smiles Always! Great show as always. It’s so nice that there are so few cars on those gorgeous twisty roads where you are.
I praise the Lord that I bought my first BSA in 1979 . I had no idea what it was at the time 😂.
Big Stupid Animal
Love the acronym! Thanks for tuning in always - you've been here every week since the beginning and I appreciate that so much!
Bought one brand new. Was my first new bike.
Went from a Ducati 250 Diana to the BSA.
Nice quiet engine on that one. It sounds like it's got a bit of life left in it. A fellow that I know had a Thunderbolt, which was the single carb version, and that went more than well enough.
The Lightening is a step up from that.
What a Blast!
Received the shirts, well worth the short wait for 3xl. Will be spreading the word about Wheelhouse Garage all of 2024 riding season in Central IL.
Thank you so much Thomas! Your support mean a lot!!
Always liked these. That one sounds just fine! Never did get to ride one. Did the Rocket III instead and that was a fantastic machine. Love the drywall screw idea - I’ve got a Triumph T-140 tank to do and will certainly use this. Riding my vintage Triumph gives me joy I can’t get from my later and much faster bikes.
If you’re ever replacing tyres, look at the Avon AM 26 bias-belts - they’re fantastic on this sort of bike. 👍🏻
Will do! Thanks for the tip
Congrats on 10k, Billy!
Thank you!!
Just found your channel today. Hope you get over 10,000.
Gotta Love those vintage British bikes.
TCat-72Daytona
Thanks for joining in! Glad to have you!
Some 40 years ago I got a second engine for my A65T when it was needing some work done on it, and that was a Spitfire engine that had been raced in the TT. It was fast and I was using it with my touring set up.
Very cool!
I'm jealous! The snow storm is just clearing up here. The '67 Spitfire is the sweet street bike in the BSA line., love mine! You are lucky w/ a great road to ride w/ a "Horsepower Hill'! Cheers
Wishing for better weather for you soon!
I had a 68 mark 4 fun to ride and quick and it handled like it was on rails I loved it
Very cool!
I'm always watching!
Thanks for your support Jim!
Lovely bike!
My first bike was a '67 Spitfire just like this beauty. Brings back memories seeing the
I beleive the fastest one was the 1st one. It featured 10.5 to 1 comp, racing camshaft & Amal GP10 Carbs. I am sure this bike may have been in the higher 120's mph. One of the popular conversions was the timing side main bearing upgrade from Bush to bearing and oil redirected to crank end. I had a 69 Lightening with Firebird pipes and the peanut tank, Oh the sweet sound of those high pipes. All the bikes with the high pipes BSA Norton Triumph had great sound, Not sure if the mufflers were glass packed. Also ridden the Hornett good Vibrations.
I had a 68 model spitfire loved it, thanks for taking us for a ride on yours
Came for the road test, stayed for the tank sealing tips. Recall a guy doing a huge wheelie on a 1968 Spitfire near Welland Ontario Canada back in 1968, can still see it in my mind. Very impressive power and gorgeous bike.
Did the screws take all of the old liner off... or do you just pour the new liner over what won't come loose?
When I'm painting a tank or cleaning the inside or doing a liner, I use silicone tapered plugs that I buy on amazon. (I think they're used for powder coating, to keep the threads clean.) A bag of various sizes is 15 bucks and they work well. I'll stick two into the petcock holes and they seal it up... you gotta kinda screw them up in there good and tight, but that'll stop any leaking. If I'm painting, I'll use the smaller plugs to put in tank badge holes and other holes I don't want paint to get into. And for the gas bung hole on the tank, get some expanding plumbers plugs. The one tool I didn't know I needed until I bought one. They have a wing nut on top that expands the rubber plug when you screw it in. You put one of those in your gas hole you can hold the tank upside above your head and shake it... nothing's coming out. And it's quick and easy to put on and take off. If you go to Amazon and search for "1.5 inch expansion pipe plug" you'll see what I'm talking about. That's the size that works for my triumph tanks, but I have a few different sized plugs for oil tanks and other things. I'm paranoid about leakage and getting chemicals or liners on paint.
Great lookin n sounding bike man, I guess I should've waited for today before I started asking question about what happened putting in the tank yesterday....lol.... cheers 🍻
LOl all good! Appreciate you watching
Congratulations on the 10,000 subs 😎👍🇬🇧
Thank you so much!
Cool vid ! & nice job 👍 😊
Thanks!
Just found your channel ....... have always been into British iron ..... have owned a BSA 441, 72 650 Tiger in Europe with the big fuel tank, BSA Rocket Three .... and the only one left in my shop is a 1970 Triumph T100R
wonderful that you are sharing your passion and your motorcycle business with us ....Thank You !!
Alan
Boston
Great bike awesome riding roads beautiful scenery cracking video 👍🇬🇧🇬🇧
Thank you!
Congratulations on 10,000 subscribers! That Carnegie brick is in very nice condition , I have several used and on I in like new condition as well. Cool 😎
Very cool! Thank you!!
Love your videos man go on like this
greetings from Stuttgart,Germany✌🏻
Glad you like them! Thank you so much for watching from Germany!
It’s remind me my Lightning in the old days when I was young
Caswell has been my go to dealer for years!
My favorite too
I fix old bikes. Good job on the Caswell. I think I may have been one of the people that is partially responsible for the new colored tank kits. Years ago I called the company and suggested that with the clear epoxy you see nasty metal under it. Hah
Great video man , I’ve got three beezas myself , and enjoying the hell out of these
Glad you like them! Thanks for watching!
Nice one! Always count the number of screws you put in the tank so you get the same number out! Cool bike!
good call!
Beautiful tank...I did a metal tank like that.....here's what I did: I got some Rust Buster plus sand and gravel....put it in the tank.....shock it several thousand times......washed it out with gasoline.....followed with water/detergent.....water. Blew it dry.....washed out with methanol, followed with lacquer thinner....set it out in the sun and it looked like new inside. Next day I used sealer. Beats hell out of trying to pick out paint chips. Good luck!
What an amazing test ride! I used KBS tank liner kit with great success. One step in their process removes the old liner.
Nice!
Thanks for posting Bill. Great ride out, The bike sounds sweet. its running well ,do you think you will keep it, all best KIWI
Thank you KIWI! This one is a keeper!
I bought a 1967 MK2 when it was about a year old. It had twin Amal GP carburettors with a central "fag packet" float chamber, and was faster than the MK3 which had Amal Concentrics. BSA made the change because the GP setup cost several times as much as the Concentrics. The BSA engine has a weakness in that the crankshaft end float was controlled by the small timing side main bearing, and if it wore the result was some serious engine damage. The MK3 is more rideable than the MK2 as the latter has a bit of an all or nothing power delivery, with it coming in between 4000 and 7000 rpm and not a lot of useable power at lower revs because of the racing carburettor setup.
Good knowledge here. Thanks for contributing!
lovely bike
Great video of a great bike. As for the drum brakes, there is nothing wrong with them, they work fine. People who claim they don't, don't know how to setup a drum brake properly.
Well said!
Great video. Let us know when the shirts are back in stock and I need a sticker!
Yes apologies for running out! More on the way!
Sweet bike
Those old brakes were like dropping an anchor. Sooner or later you would stop.
love me some caswells fiberglass or steal and alloy as well. Bike looked like a lot of fun.
👍
Hi from UK Old Matchless G3l and Thruxton 1200 in my garage , love your videos you have some great roads , were are they ?
Back in the day I thought the Spitfires were the most perfect looking bike. Now it just part of a list of tops. However I always picture them with lower flatter handlebars and that throws this example off a bit for me but great none the less. Of course in those days it was advisable to disassemble the engine and check if the piston clearance was too small before your rode it or so I've heard tell.
Mark II's yes
Love that Spitfire! I have a 1970 Firebird Scrambler. I had a 1971 B50MX , but it got stolen about a year ago.Love Beezers. Hey where did you get that duckbill for your helmet?
Ahh yes the joys of bees and worse wasps flying inside your helmet 😂 nice bike this one ❤
LOL!
Great job Den lovely Bike, do you have any vid. about the wonderful.. 1967 BSA 650 ⚡ Lightning!? Thanks
Thank you for a video from a beautiful part of a US, just found your channel. However I'm a current and long time BSA A65 owner and some of your comments and bike behavior are strange to me. First you claim you had a Lightnings and Thunderbolts but this Spitfire is much faster - there were no technical differences between those models in 1967 other than single carb in Thunderbolt case giving it more torque at lower revs. Engines compression ratios, "racing" camshaft and primary / gearbox ratios were all the same. Bike looks and sounds well but you kicked it to life like no compression was there. I have to slightly hop on my kicker to overpower compression of my bike with my 85 kg of weight. Perhaps it has lower compression pistons installed. I had them in my former A65 and liked them a lot. Contrary to popular belief they didn't make bike any slower but much easier to start and less vibratory.
If this is a fresh acquisition, congratulations are in order - it looks like a good one.
This and the Bonneville TT were almost strictly American market units, deceptively fast as well.
The coppers used to ride these in South Australia in thegood ol days.
Cool!
You're supposed to chew... stops the buggers stinging you 😂😂😂
Those A65 Lightning engines really fly above 4000 revs and pull hard to 7000. Hold it in 3rd and get the revs up!
yeeehaw
This is my bike. TRUTH.
What many people believe that drum breaks don't have the stopping power of disk. Not true, the only advantage to disk is the repeated hard breaking. Disk fade less and are less effected by heat.
ive owned truimphs and bsa lightning and thunder bolt its the sound thats awesome and they got plenty of looks too, but riding them and hearing the engine like tappets clunking brings real classic bikes into their own now i own an indian scout no more kick starting like the old british bikes use to p..s me off at lights stalling trying to find neutral and kicking it with 5cars behind me
Not Crazy... your good..🥸
Be curious to see if it could beat my 1964 BSA Lightning Rocket!
A fair contest indeed!
Caswell all the way,I'm scabbie & get two tanks out of one batch.😉
haha! if you can do it, do it!
I thought he was going to say, "We're gonna hit 10,000rpm :-)
Haha someday!
Video is good, interesting and of course a nice bike. Music is overpowering, far too loud and just too much - I had to keep turning the volume down when playing and back up when not. Just a constructive criticism 🙂
I had a 66 Lightning. It was fun....but the vibration just made it difficult for me to enjoy it on a long ride.
I hear ya
Insects out again, summer's coming!
Indeed!
Blimey youre living dangerously, mending that tank indoors. My MRS would be having kittens. Good luck mate. From England.
Haha!! Thanks for the laugh
Great video! The audio was skewed way to the left on the camera segments of the video, a little disconcerting for headphone viewing. Regards!
Sorry about that! still trying to figure out the best way to get great audio in these conditions.
Your wife lets you do this at the kitchen table??!! I used to reload for my pistol league at the dining room table, but that was between marriages. That was a great bike, unfortunately a Beeser, but they looked better than the Triumphs.
I got into 650cc British bikes in the early seventies. First Triumphs, then BSAs. Both were fast. But the BSAs seemed to have more low end torque than the Triumph. I thought it might be a longer stroke engine than the Triumph’s? Was a long time ago…
No , the unit construction Bsa had a shorter stoke then the triumph but the a10 pre unit had a longer stoke
@@jimifed2798 Hmm… Yea, mine was a single carb unit construction late 60’s. But for some reason that engine pulled like a tractor compared to my T-6 Triumph. That BSA could just about pull away from a standing start just idling.