I was passionate about Triumphs and BSAs back in the day. Naturally when you're young you always want the high performance one, so I preferred the Lightning, but I almost bought a used Thunderbolt when I was a high school senior. Love the sound and the look. Very sexy bike.
Absolutely gorgeous. I have a 1966 Triumph Bonneville I've owned since the mid '80s. 1960s British bikes are the most beautiful bikes ever made. They not only look good, but they sound good and feel good. They are actual machines. No computers, no electronics, air cooled, pushrods, lots of shiny paint, polished aluminum, and chrome. NO flat black.
I had a BSA 650 Lightning.. Same as the Thunderbolt but with twin carbs instead of one. Brings back memories.. The chrome tank with that great BSA badge and the gear shifter on the right instead of the left. Shoulda kept mine.
Oh dear, that's two of us who should have kept it, bought my brand new Lighting in 1968, 412 quid, AWR68G registration number, I even used it to run blood for the NHS.
When I wuzza kid in the navy I knew a guy had one of these 650s - a '69 in fact. He also had a Norton 750 Commando ..... both were beautiful .... that would have been back in 1974 or 1975 IIRC. Loved BSA's use of chrome on the tank. Sure lusted after those bikes .... my first one (a couple of years later)? A Yamaha 400 twin ... hey, you gotta start somewhere! :)
What a beauty ...I love those old bikes like that . Once you run through all those Ninjas and CBR's your last ride should be a bike like this . It reminds me of that Jethro Tull album " You're Never Too Old To Rock n' Roll " ! PK
In the mid 90s me and my best buddy did a full restoration of a 67 thunderbolt and put about 20,000 miles on it before I got an offer on it that was too good to pass up. Fun bike!
Just love these bikes. First got interested in them after seeing the film "If" when I was at school. The single carb Thunderbolt in red is the one for me, with the twin leading shoe. Same brake that I had on a B25. I will get get one, but they are expensive now.
I had a British spec 1969, black, 650 thunderbolt….. the best bike I ever had and long for even to this day 30 years since I let it go….. my version had the British styling, just a slight difference in the paint job on the tank et cetera…. I had a needle roller crankshaft oil end field conversion carried out to improve the crankshaft shell, bearing reliability….. that thing was then utterly bulletproof, and I rode it absolutely everywhere, and 75 miles to the gallon….. that experience is permanently etched into my veins in my heart….. thank you for showing this
Great Classic! Awesome character. My appreciation for British twins but not the quirks led me in another direction to a new XS650F, but that was a SOHC vs the Brits pushrods. Rode that 650 from CT to the Great Salt Lake…toured much of the west and stopped at the Sturgis Rally, then the Peoria TT races on my way back to CT… It would be fun to own a Brit twin today.
Character and attitude!. Same as most bikes of that era. No plastic and no electronics!.. A smell, feel and ride style all of their own!. Want it!. Nuff said. 🙂
Had one many years ago, it was chopped and molded for big back tire, amazing bike except for the Lucas electrics that gave me fits untill I sorted it out. But awesome nonetheless. Super cool and lots of fun
I’ve had a 1970 650 thunderbolt since 2007. Still never really rode it😬. It’s unrestored but nearly the same condition. Had no idea they could fetch that kinda dough 🤔
If you got a congressman who says that you're gifted and all the things you're doing to help society and the government is willing to help you then do it don't be afraid you're one the one percenters it's okay
Hey. I'm the highest bidder on the Gs1000L (one that has pipes) does it have a title? I couldn't see anywhere if it did or not. Maybe I'm just blind lol. Also would like a qoute to ship to 46123. Thanks:)
What's sad is when the japes hit the market I saw so many British bikes dumped and rotting in gardens and sheds I've owened most of the old British twins and singles in my day all now worth a small fortune I must addmit the sound of bsa was better than the triumph my favourite was my a65 it was a glorious sounding bike which I used hammer through the narrow villages so I could hear it echoing pissed the neighbours off at 3am in the morning lol that bike is in a1 condition and sounds glorious your right about it lighting your fire how can it not
Sick!
The single carb models are the smart choice, very smooth-running.
Nothing beats the sound of an old British twin.
Amen to that
I was passionate about Triumphs and BSAs back in the day. Naturally when you're young you always want the high performance one, so I preferred the Lightning, but I almost bought a used Thunderbolt when I was a high school senior. Love the sound and the look. Very sexy bike.
Absolutely gorgeous. I have a 1966 Triumph Bonneville I've owned since the mid '80s. 1960s British bikes are the most beautiful bikes ever made. They not only look good, but they sound good and feel good. They are actual machines. No computers, no electronics, air cooled, pushrods, lots of shiny paint, polished aluminum, and chrome. NO flat black.
This BSA model is the most beatiful bike ever made, this one in particular conjfirms it.
I'm elderly and have owned many brit bikes over the years! That beezer is cool ass hell!
Wow I've never seen a 1969 BSA Thunderbolt 650 it's Gorgeous!
I had a BSA 650 Lightning.. Same as the Thunderbolt but with twin carbs instead of one. Brings back memories.. The chrome tank with that great BSA badge and the gear shifter on the right instead of the left. Shoulda kept mine.
Oh dear, that's two of us who should have kept it, bought my brand new Lighting in 1968, 412 quid, AWR68G registration number, I even used it to run blood for the NHS.
When I wuzza kid in the navy I knew a guy had one of these 650s - a '69 in fact. He also had a Norton 750 Commando ..... both were beautiful .... that would have been back in 1974 or 1975 IIRC. Loved BSA's use of chrome on the tank. Sure lusted after those bikes .... my first one (a couple of years later)? A Yamaha 400 twin ... hey, you gotta start somewhere! :)
You just look right on that bike brother ..great mechanical music from the twin pea shooters ..FTW
Kick-ass says it all.
What a fantastic sound.
They are cool! Nothing sounds like them.
What a beauty ...I love those old bikes like that . Once you run through all those Ninjas and CBR's your last ride should be a bike like this . It reminds me of that Jethro Tull album " You're Never Too Old To Rock n' Roll " ! PK
Now you're talking my language.
One of my daily drivers is a '72 Daytona 500.
Rode it yesterday to the bank 😀
Made in England. Beautiful Bike! Look after her across The Pond!
Nice bike.I owned a 1965 Thunder bolt.I was 18 .Good old days.
yup my first bike was a 65 tbolt royal blue and chrome l was 15 in '66 put 50 thou on it..
super bike...
In the mid 90s me and my best buddy did a full restoration of a 67 thunderbolt and put about 20,000 miles on it before I got an offer on it that was too good to pass up. Fun bike!
Just love these bikes. First got interested in them after seeing the film "If" when I was at school.
The single carb Thunderbolt in red is the one for me, with the twin leading shoe. Same brake that I had on a B25. I will get get one, but they are expensive now.
Absolutely Gorgeous!!!
beautiful bikes and they have such a nice sound between the BSA‘s and Triumph’s they are both classy bikes
I had a British spec 1969, black, 650 thunderbolt….. the best bike I ever had and long for even to this day 30 years since I let it go….. my version had the British styling, just a slight difference in the paint job on the tank et cetera…. I had a needle roller crankshaft oil end field conversion carried out to improve the crankshaft shell, bearing reliability….. that thing was then utterly bulletproof, and I rode it absolutely everywhere, and 75 miles to the gallon….. that experience is permanently etched into my veins in my heart….. thank you for showing this
That bike looks the business !! sounds very happy running wise . some one will be very proud to own that .
Omg amazing brings back memories of my grandads BSA they just sound and look amazing what a lovely bike 🥰😍
Absolutely fantastic. Nothing like a big old British bike.
Thank you for restoring the Ewarts Petcocks! Those by far are an underestimated part of the tank esthetic to these bikes. well done!
Yes that is a kick ass machine , I concur
awesome!!! UK classic . They started it all scrambles TT pub racing . Rockers rode them in UK 60s.
Amen to that
Great British Twin never ridden one,but superb..Wales UK..
I would love to bid on that beauty and bring her home. she'd look good parked up outside the Ace Cafe. stunning bike.❤
a very good year 1969
Lovely bike that I love your enthusiasm for brit bikes and they do sound well that's why I love my 59 a10 good video as always👍
Great bikes❤️
Great Classic! Awesome character. My appreciation for British twins but not the quirks led me in another direction to a new XS650F, but that was a SOHC vs the Brits pushrods. Rode that 650 from CT to the Great Salt Lake…toured much of the west and stopped at the Sturgis Rally, then the Peoria TT races on my way back to CT…
It would be fun to own a Brit twin today.
Glad you like it, we built great bikes 🇬🇧
Beautiful sound
You look very comfortable on that bike.
Character and attitude!. Same as most bikes of that era. No plastic and no electronics!.. A smell, feel and ride style all of their own!. Want it!. Nuff said. 🙂
Had one many years ago, it was chopped and molded for big back tire, amazing bike except for the Lucas electrics that gave me fits untill I sorted it out. But awesome nonetheless. Super cool and lots of fun
beautfur motocicle 👍😀🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷
A65 Thunder bolt I had one in UK.
Bad ass bikes ! 🤙
This bike was used by the South Australian police in the early 70s awesome looking bike.
ive had few british bikes triumphs but owned a 72 bsa thunderbird and a 70 bsa lightning
Wow. Wow......
I wish mine was a 1969 model, rather than the '67 model I have.
I had a red one!
I’ve had a 1970 650 thunderbolt since 2007. Still never really rode it😬. It’s unrestored but nearly the same condition. Had no idea they could fetch that kinda dough 🤔
My oh my.
Ride on ken.
New ones comes out recently!!
I hear it has the audible transmission engagement indicator : CLUNK
Me needs one ⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️
Gears on the right, rear brake on the left, that could potentially be deadly if one absentmindedly 'hits the brakes' or 'changes down' at speed.
How reliable are BSA motorcycles , I have never owned one ;
It's okay to be blessed maybe you're one of those people it looks that way to me
If you got a congressman who says that you're gifted and all the things you're doing to help society and the government is willing to help you then do it don't be afraid you're one the one percenters it's okay
Hey. I'm the highest bidder on the Gs1000L (one that has pipes) does it have a title? I couldn't see anywhere if it did or not. Maybe I'm just blind lol. Also would like a qoute to ship to 46123. Thanks:)
Call the shop 860 454 7024 they don't check youtube
No wheelies?
Is helmet an option in certain states in the USA ? it's a real question
Yes
Wasn't the bike called a 650 lightning?
I thought this channel had alot subs
Something happened. I was subscribed and yesterday found out I was no more.
Wait... it must be a second channel. The main one is Kaplan America
Nice but unreliable
Wrong tires wrong rims. Painted logo on the seat.. reflectors never existed.
What's sad is when the japes hit the market I saw so many British bikes dumped and rotting in gardens and sheds I've owened most of the old British twins and singles in my day all now worth a small fortune I must addmit the sound of bsa was better than the triumph my favourite was my a65 it was a glorious sounding bike which I used hammer through the narrow villages so I could hear it echoing pissed the neighbours off at 3am in the morning lol that bike is in a1 condition and sounds glorious your right about it lighting your fire how can it not
Over rated KAPLAN LEMAY
You just look right on that bike brother ..great mechanical music from the twin pea shooters ..FTW