Great coverage of those two iconic Beezers. Was just out on my 67 Lighting a couple of days ago. When I built the motor I made an alu-bronze bushing for the timing side (and hard-chromed the journal), used 8.5/1 pistons (lower comp than stock), had the crank dynamically balanced and went to taller-than-stock gearing and electronic ignition. The result is a smooth-running, easy starting machine that hauls ass on the highway. Very reliable too, I just ride 'er hard and put her away wet and she's always ready for more. The unit Beezers are great bikes and much more oil-tight than Triumphs.
Welcome back bill , the oil in the frame models were ridiculously tall seat height and then there's the Achilles heel timing side plain Bearing !! Regards from Tadcaster, keep em coming !!
I bought a one yr old 1971 BSA 650 Firebird Scrambler back in the day when I was only 20 yrs old. It was my first British bike. The machine only had 1300 miles on it when I got it. It was a great bike. Very powerful and handled like a dream. Very reliable when compared with my 1976 Bonneville I bought new. Of course the 1971 & 1972 BSA's didn't have the looks of the classic models but most likely were better bikes. Cheers.
I have no personal experience of these bikes, the closest I came was an oil in frame Triumph T140V. I do love the styling of the pre OIF BSA’s with the exception of the engine which looks particularly odd on the gearbox side, the old pre-unit engines look far better in my opinion. The red of the ‘71 bike doesn’t show it to its best advantage, the two tone colours were much nicer and I find the unit engine less offensive in the OIF BSA’s. I’d go as far as to say that in the right colour the OIF A65’s were amongst the best looking British bikes ever made. Thanks for the video 🇬🇧
Wow, what a show! Years ago I would listen to car talk on Saturday mornings. You became a great replacement for click and clack the tappet brothers 😅 I could talk about these bikes all day I love them. That is a beautiful, 64. I like OIF models but for me, they set up too high, and I feel like I’m riding on a bench. The pre-1971 miles are all singular sensory pleasure.
Thanks for bringing them on! My first bike was a 1970 A50R with the 650 engine, took me through all stages of wrenching... but in the end, after some engine mods by Rainer "Düse" Traupel, it did absolutely fine.
In the 1960's both BSA and Triumph sold every motorcycle they could build. Warranty claims were low. Then they listened to the magazine and changed everything and it was all wrong. Oil frame bikes had a shopping list of mechanical issues. Many BSA dealers hated the brand closing. Incompetent management ran the company into the ground. All the 1970's British motorcycles especially the Norton Commando and T-160 Tridents were total garbage unless rebuilt by the owner. They went downhill so fast it was pathetic 😢.
I never really got how much The BSA single of my youth vibrated, until I drove 60 miles with a can of Coke stuffed in my jacket. I opened it when I got there and the Coke shot up over 2 feet and kept going. There was about one mouthful left in the bottom when it stopped.
Nice bikes my old man told me when the unit came out in the uk it put a lot of buyers off they preferred the pre unit construction cracking video well explained 👍 🇬🇧
Great bikes. I can get down with a unit BSA but the BSA pre unit is such a pretty engine. Sounds like BSA and Triumph both went UNIT about the same time. 1963 for Triumph I believe. Who was first to go oil in frame? I think the first OIF Triumphs were the 71 Bonneville and TR6, so they may have beat BSA on that one. I'm not sure. No one's getting a medal for being first in that category.
@@wheelhousegarage I don't know about the street bikes, but BSA had OIF on the 1971 B50MX, which was a 500cc single motocross bike. I had one until about a year ago when some lowlife stole it out of my shed. The really sad thing is, they have no idea what they have, they will never be able to start it, and it will probably end up being sold for scrap. I've put the word around in the local vintage bike community, but so far, crickets.
BSA and Triumph had the same owners by the end of the 60s. As I understand it, the OIF design was originally BSA's, but they used it on the Triumph twins as well, although it had to be modified because, initially, the Triumph 650 engine didn't fit. I don't think there's anything wrong with the oil in frame design, but I am biased, I've had my Triumph T140V for 30 years.
Welcome back ! Nothing wrong with the OIF, they handled a little bit too nice, but we'll ignore that. They lost the sex appeal of all that chrome, red paint and swoopy lines, but everything did in the '70's. The unit 650 Triumph was just the engine and gearbox in new cases, the unit BSA was a whole new take on the A10, with a whole lot of improvements.
![[TH] FS vs BME - VCT Ascension Pacific - Lower Bracket Final](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/wnygqsR2Fig/mqdefault.jpg)
Great coverage of those two iconic Beezers.
Was just out on my 67 Lighting a couple of days ago. When I built the motor I made an alu-bronze bushing for the timing side (and hard-chromed the journal), used 8.5/1 pistons (lower comp than stock), had the crank dynamically balanced and went to taller-than-stock gearing and electronic ignition. The result is a smooth-running, easy starting machine that hauls ass on the highway. Very reliable too, I just ride 'er hard and put her away wet and she's always ready for more.
The unit Beezers are great bikes and much more oil-tight than Triumphs.
Very cool! Sounds like you've got an awesome Lightning!
Welcome back bill , the oil in the frame models were ridiculously tall seat height and then there's the Achilles heel timing side plain
Bearing !! Regards from Tadcaster, keep em coming !!
Ah I see. Thanks for the input and for watching from across the pond!🍻
I bought a one yr old 1971 BSA 650 Firebird Scrambler back in the day when I was only 20 yrs old. It was my first British bike. The machine only had 1300 miles on it when I got it. It was a great bike. Very powerful and handled like a dream. Very reliable when compared with my 1976 Bonneville I bought new. Of course the 1971 & 1972 BSA's didn't have the looks of the classic models but most likely were better bikes. Cheers.
I have no personal experience of these bikes, the closest I came was an oil in frame Triumph T140V. I do love the styling of the pre OIF BSA’s with the exception of the engine which looks particularly odd on the gearbox side, the old pre-unit engines look far better in my opinion. The red of the ‘71 bike doesn’t show it to its best advantage, the two tone colours were much nicer and I find the unit engine less offensive in the OIF BSA’s. I’d go as far as to say that in the right colour the OIF A65’s were amongst the best looking British bikes ever made. Thanks for the video 🇬🇧
I'm a big a fan of pre-units too!
Bought a 1968 BSA Firebird Scrambler its in wonderful shape.
Nice, I’d love a ride of one of them. 💯😎👍
Those are awesome!
I have a '70 Firebird Scrambler. Unfortunately, needs a complete resto. It runs though.
Wow, what a show!
Years ago I would listen to car talk on Saturday mornings.
You became a great replacement for click and clack the tappet brothers 😅
I could talk about these bikes all day I love them.
That is a beautiful, 64. I like OIF models but for me, they set up too high, and I feel like I’m riding on a bench. The pre-1971 miles are all singular sensory pleasure.
Wow, thank you for the kind words!!
Welcome back, Saturdays just have not been the same. Was beginning to get worried.
Same here!
Thanks for watching and caring!
I really like the 3 rifles on the timing cover of the pre-unit B.S.A.'s I want one just because of that!
It's call the "piled arms" logo and I agree - it's super cool!
That front mudguard looks wrong on the lightning - too much gap.
I hear ya
Thanks for bringing them on! My first bike was a 1970 A50R with the 650 engine, took me through all stages of wrenching... but in the end, after some engine mods by Rainer "Düse" Traupel, it did absolutely fine.
Right on! Thanks for watching!
In the 1960's both BSA and Triumph sold every motorcycle they could build. Warranty claims were low. Then they listened to the magazine and changed everything and it was all wrong. Oil frame bikes had a shopping list of mechanical issues. Many BSA dealers hated the brand closing. Incompetent management ran the company into the ground. All the 1970's British motorcycles especially the Norton Commando and T-160 Tridents were total garbage unless rebuilt by the owner. They went downhill so fast it was pathetic 😢.
Bummer!
Top vid, good have your back on our screens. But us Yorkshire lads serve us beer at 12-13 degrees Celsius (about 55 degrees Fahrenheit).👌
I thought about that! I spent one night in London on a layover once... had a few pints of "warm" beer 😆 I'll do it that way next time. Cheers!🍻
BSA ok but Triumph every time for me.
So glad to have found your channel mate.
Love 'em both! Thanks for the kind words
I never really got how much The BSA single of my youth vibrated, until I drove 60 miles with a can of Coke stuffed in my jacket. I opened it when I got there and the Coke shot up over 2 feet and kept going. There was about one mouthful left in the bottom when it stopped.
hilarious!
Nice bikes my old man told me when the unit came out in the uk it put a lot of buyers off they preferred the pre unit construction cracking video well explained 👍 🇬🇧
Big pre-unit fan myself! Thanks for watching
SS Winter Welcome soon!
The term you were looking for was "Megaphone". Love your work.
Megaphone! Thank you!
Nothing better than the sounds from British twins!
Agreed!
Welcome back! Missed your channel Bill.
Thank you so much!
Like the look and sound of that lightning !⚡️ 👍
🔥🔥
Glad to see you back Bill. I have always liked the old English machines.
Glad to have you watching. Thanks!
0:40 That mudguard on the '71 ain't correct.
Oops!
I think the mounts on the forks are upside down. That fender should definitely be lower. Great video!
Non motorcycle 'executives' at 'Slumberglade' Hall were responsible for some terrible costly styling and 'marketing' decisions after 1969.
haha, it appears so!
The older version is much better. The styling looks like it went backwards from the late 60’s.
Can't beat the older style for sure.
Those bikes lost alot of appeal when they went to that OIF frame.
I consider my chromed out custom 67 BSA Lightning a real gem!
Oh yeah! '67 is a great year for Lightnings
Are the oif front mudguard brackets deliberately on upside down
I'm going to say yes😆
I've got a 65 Spitfire Hornet in the middle of resto right now. It will probably get the street treatment but haven't decided yet.
Spitfire Hornets are so rad! Congrats.
Great bikes love the video
I have the A65 star twin and have the recent videos on my channel
Good stuff 😊😊😊
Nice! I will check it out
Bacon slicer actually
I'd really like a BSA one day. Gotta save up some money to do that though.
You can do it!
So glad you are back Bill, Saturdays were kinda meh.
So kind of you to say! Thanks for the support!
Sweet moters n sweet ale n strong 💪,ur going to need an early night boy!
Haha!! It was a strong ale!
Good too see you back Bill!
Thanks Mick! Good to be back!
Welcome back, Bill!
Thank you very much!
Good to see you back in action..... and with a pair of A65s
Thank you!
Good choice of bikes, they sound great together.
Thanks, I agree!
Great show again, loving these. 💯👌😎
Glad to hear it!
Glad to see more beautiful vintage bikes!
Thanks for watching Will!
Great bikes. I can get down with a unit BSA but the BSA pre unit is such a pretty engine. Sounds like BSA and Triumph both went UNIT about the same time. 1963 for Triumph I believe. Who was first to go oil in frame? I think the first OIF Triumphs were the 71 Bonneville and TR6, so they may have beat BSA on that one. I'm not sure. No one's getting a medal for being first in that category.
I'm a huge pre-unit fan too Dave👍
@@wheelhousegarage I don't know about the street bikes, but BSA had OIF on the 1971 B50MX, which was a 500cc single motocross bike. I had one until about a year ago when some lowlife stole it out of my shed. The really sad thing is, they have no idea what they have, they will never be able to start it, and it will probably end up being sold for scrap. I've put the word around in the local vintage bike community, but so far, crickets.
BSA and Triumph had the same owners by the end of the 60s. As I understand it, the OIF design was originally BSA's, but they used it on the Triumph twins as well, although it had to be modified because, initially, the Triumph 650 engine didn't fit. I don't think there's anything wrong with the oil in frame design, but I am biased, I've had my Triumph T140V for 30 years.
Great to see you back Bill pleased all is ok
Thanks for your support!
🎉We missed you Bill!!
Thanks Justin!!
Welcome back ! Nothing wrong with the OIF, they handled a little bit too nice, but we'll ignore that. They lost the sex appeal of all that chrome, red paint and swoopy lines, but everything did in the '70's. The unit 650 Triumph was just the engine and gearbox in new cases, the unit BSA was a whole new take on the A10, with a whole lot of improvements.
Siamese pipe was to facilitate sidecar mounting.
Fascinating!