@@duanearcher7576 I'm torn. I don't think I could chose between a BSA Lightning, a Triumph Hurricane, an original Norton Commando and the original Kawasaki Mach IV H2 ........ Oh god! or, or, or or, ............And than there's a Vincent Black Shadow, a Brough Superior (any really) and I'd rather like something with girder forks and ......... *BUT* What a dilemma to have *that* bike and try and decide do you put it in the living room or ride it.
Don't forget the Norton n-15 c.s. " completion special " street version with lights for the street, and the Norton P-11 750 desert racer ( ruled the desert races with Mike Patrick and Steve Hurd riding them; and the P-11 street verson with down exhaust pipes called the Ranger, [ the n-15 cs, and the P 11 had the coolest gas tanks ever put on a big British twin, except for maybe the ROYAL ENDFIELD 750 INTERCEPTOR'S series 1 and series 2) oh by the way the Royal Endfield Interceptor " series 1 " was the quickest thru the 1/4 mile at the drag strip stock "13.66" in 1966. Later to be eclipsed by the Norton Commando " combat " 750 cc verson which had a reputation for blowing up, too much compression was the main culprit apparently. The Norton commando went on to be head and shoulders above all others in 1/4 mile drags taking a full second [in 69] quicker than the Royal Endfield's record in 66 cycle world road test. 13.66 !! The Triumph Bonneville was a beautiful bike also, " nice gas tank also" Hot Rod magazine use to have a few pages in it every month called " UP ON TWO WHEELS " Written by a guy named Bob Green; They tested a 64 or 65 B.S.A. LIGHTING, changed the Gearing around a little bit, " gearing it higher, bigger trans sprocket and smaller rear tire sprocket" and got it going over 130 mph at El Mirage dry lake in the Mojave Desert somewhere, in 65!!! I'm surprised this nice person in this video says the 650 B.S.A. LIGHTING was the quickest thru the 1/4 mile, that's not correct ! That title goes to the B.S.A. 650 " SPITFIRE " 🥳🤩👾🐙🤔🛸👽😱🎯
This is beautiful. The A65 is in my view the aesthetic peak point of the classic British Twin. I own and have partly restored a 1970 Thunderbolt myself. That was the last year of the old classic chrome styling. Obviously it isn't as immaculate as this one. But then I ride it on the road. To me, it is a very sad thing to think that this gorgeous Lightning will be preserved like a fly in amber and never ridden. If you started it up and heard the wonderful sound of the engine you would understand at once.
I was privileged to have a 1970 Thunderbolt back in 1972, bought from Ejay, a coworker at C&NW RR in Mankato, MN. Sold it several years later to buy an engagement ring for my wife of 46 years. Some days I really miss that motorcycle ! People would walk across the street just to get a closer look.
Yeah,there is a place for 'static display',and this is magnificent. They were made to be ridden,and enjoyed as such. One day we will all be a static display,so ride 'em while you can
Too find NOS parts for a bike this age, is so rare and that toolkit must of been like finding the holy grail! A credit to Dave and his enthusiasm, what a bike 😃 Have a good one Mike ☕️🫖
Absolutely stunning restoration! Imagine row upon row of these bikes,back in the day,with all the candy paint and chrome glistening in the dealer showroom. Simply magical times!
there is a film that came out in the late 60's called" IF " with Malcom mcdonald i think anyway there is a scene where they steal a BSA a65 from a dealers showroom full of new brit bikes if only ! to the best of my knowledge that is the only footage of a bike showroom around ; unless you know different
What a fantastic bike, it’s a shame it’s going to a collector, if that was mine it would be new tires a tank full of gas, gear on and out for a run in the English countryside, classic motorcycles should be ridden not locked away as a investment, thanks Mike for Sharing that with us. Ride safe cheers Martin.🇬🇧👍
@PhilB ... Back in the day, I bought one of these new, with those bars, in London, think it was in Tooting. It was part of a cancelled US order. At the time not many seemed to be aware of what I had.., most just thought I had changed the bars. The side chromed tank was also a hint as to it's original destination. Bugger, wish I still had it !!!
Great story, I lived on a council estate as a kid one where everyone worked. No one would nick your pushbikes because we never had any !! I don't remember how old I was but a guy six doors down had a lightning, Sunday morning he would wash it I always walked past drooling over it especially the purple blue headers. Same colour as this beautiful example, I was smitten his mates had Norton commandos, Aireal arrows, Bonneville's ect. There began my obsession with the motorcycle, just like to say thank you to Paul carpenter a guy that had time to speak to a young dreamer, and Richard golker. RIP Trevor loft one of the lads that never made it taken way to young ❤🇬🇧
Thanks for posting. I bought a 69 Lightning from a friend who purchased it new from Andy Pelc in Southgate , MI. Was the same color, but had a Firebird Scrambler tank as the original was damaged in transit. Ended up selling it after a few years. My 71 Lightning came from Cycle Hub when it was sold. It is a true Bitsa. Thunderbolt lower, Lightning head. This one I am keeping. I have the article from Cycle World.
Many thanks Rod! It really is a beautiful bike. Dave is an incredibly talented Vintage Motorcycle restorer. He did an amazing job with this bike. Best wishes, Mike
I remember the ist CD 175 I saw, a school prefect rode it school regularly, I would have been 13 or 14 at the time. Was so quite like a sewing machine compaired to the British stuff, about three years later a Honda 350 turned up at our youth club with a yoshi system on it jezus it howled like a banshee the rest is history!!
I remember thinking this was just so desirable when I saw my first one in a friend's garage. I wanted one so much. He had two because he stated one often times required work and he always wanted one available to ride. This is such a gorgeous restoration. Well done pal.
Fastest BSA you could buy in 1969 and *without question, one of the prettiest* . Mate, you got that dead right. I shall now indulge in a spot of heresy ......... In 1967 one of the lads I knew had a 250 Ducati. Watching this reminded me of that. There are 'some styling similarities'.
Maybe in the first part of 1969, but not after Honda introduced the 750/4. They came out in 1969 and what a shock those were to the various motorcycle riders and companies alike.
@@chrisbaker2903 As we lay in the road after a tree stepped out in front of us on a damp Scottish road on our way to the Thistle Rally, my then fiance said 'Can we get a Honda Four next?'
This was my 2nd bike. I learned to ride on a 350 flat twin Douglas, but took my test on an Orange/Creme BSA C25 250cc Barracuda thumper (single cylinder). Bet there are not many of either of them still alive 'n kickin' !! Oh, the good old days.
Absolutely stunning! Took my beath away. I remember, as a little boy, staring through a dealer's (I think Fowlers in Bristol, UK) showroom window at brand new BSAs and dreaming of things to come. Sadly they went broke before I was old enough.
My word Mike, looking at that bike is like stepping out of a time machine onto the lot of the little shop at the corner of Lawrence and Bimbrock in Scarborough when I was 14. They had BSA and Triumph and I was always drawn a bit more to the Lightning than the Bonneville. Oh, and that was after we moved to Canada. Not the Scarborough you're probably thinking of LOL!
Wow just look at that beauty. This was the last BSA model I owned, which I think I bought in Tooting, London. It was part of a cancelled order that was bound for the US. It had higher bars on it and the chrome sided tank which was the BSA way of distinguishing their bikes destined for the foreign market. Wish I still had it, it would be surely priced at well over twice the price I payed back then. Thanks for this post.
Had one of these mainly BSA lightning but had parts that were god knows what ! purchased it basically as a frame, wheels, engine and a collection of bits an pieces my ex father in law and my self put it together and amazingly I was able to get it road worthied and registered. Was a great bike to ride despite all the different bits !
Never owned 1 of these but did own a '73 Norton. These had problems with spark plugs in those days. They were cammed fairly radical & ran rich for street use. I remember reading this in Cycle.
Thank you Mike for this wonderful reportage. It brings me back to the mid ´70s when I was 17 and that I owned a BSA Lightning 650. GREAT RESTAURATION !! 👍👌
I Re built my 64 Bonneville using only NOS parts . All engine and gearbox internals NOS ,Forks , Tank, Front and Rear mudguard, complete headlamp assembly gauges loom all fasteners etc. Built up a tool kit from the correct genuine tools , even found a pump . Bought a lot of parts from Sharon and Cliff at cycle hub it cost me a bomb to get it shipped back to England. Hitchcocks motorcycles in Folkestone Kent was also great for NOS parts . Nothing beats the genuine parts , especially when you find that elusive rare part . Sadly all I have left of my bike now after all of that hard work is photographs of the finished bike, I had to sell it to buy my house . The late Don Hitchcock told me during the 60s he and his dad ,would get American customers come into his shop ,buy a Triumph to do a road trip around England , he said occasionally his dad and himself would let some them sleep in the shop overnight .
The classic cosmetic design is amazing in adding the american handle bar and riding such twin is the the best experience you might have...I owned the spitfire 69 when I was 20....
I'd agree with that.Remember a friend having a new one in ' 67, a UK ' E ' registration HEB 6E , although my favourite is the pre-unit Bonnie , cannot be denied that it is drop-dead gorgeous !.
My Dad had a 1965 BSA Lightning A65, when he got it it had megaphones on it with drilled plates inside to act as mufflers, which were very restrictive (put on by idiots no doubt) and he found a complete stock exhaust system and put it on and from that day forward I've felt that the BSA Lightning is the BEST SOUNDING MOTORCYCLE EVER!!! He rode it to work most days, well most nights anyway since he worked graveyard shift at a local navy base and I would always wake up and listen. He would start it, then put on his helmet and gloves and zip up his jacket before riding off. I could hear him ride to the corner, down that street and into 3rd to another corner, then a short way to a short feeder to the local highway. Lets just say he didn't waste any time coming up to speed going down the grade from Oak View heading towards Ventura. I would lose the sound until he was well past the bottom of the hill and I could sometimes hear him downshift and pass another vehicle as he went through Casitas Springs. Then I'd lose the sound for good and go back to sleep. Damn Fine Memories. I might be old and a little broken from happenings as I went through life but if I had that bike I'd ride it darn near every day. Yeah, when he left it home I sometimes snuck out on it and rode it around town. Easy to start, never any trouble and simply a pleasure to ride. I don't think he ever realized I was putting mileage on it. Of all the motorcycles I've ever ridden That's one of my top 3 or 4 that I'd love to have now. In no particular order, my favorite bikes are that BSA, my Honda CB700 Nighthawk, My Honda VT500 (not the cruiser styled one) and my Honda CB350/4 cylinder. If I was given a choice of any of those 4, I don't think I could choose.
There very best British twin I ever was a mid 60's Norton n 15 cs with headlights,taillights , and open megaphones !!!! I never forget that back rap snarled that big " snorting Norton" would make produce when he would back off the throttle to slow down for a high speed sweeping bend in the road that went right by my house in the mid 60's, then he'd get back on the gas when he straightened out a I'd that fabulous Norton snarl, everyday !!!🎯🥳🙉It had a big Norton name painted on each side of that tank in big curved white letters with black pin stripping on each cursive letters covering the whole side of that cool styled n-15 c.s./ P11 styled tank, candie apple red stock factory paint!!! I'LL NEVER FORGET THAT, THAT BIG BACK RAP SNARL THAT FABLOUIS SNORTEN NORTON COULD PRODUCE WHEN HE SHUT THE GAS OF TO SLOW DOWN FOR THAT LONG SWEEPING TURN, THEN BACK ON THE GAS AGAIN, TOTIALLY AWSOME!!!!! NO doubt that snarl/backrap when the gas backed off due to the open megaphone exhaust, and being LONG STROKED[73 bore x89 stroke ; I could only imagine how the fabulous ROYAL ENDFIELD SERIES 1 WOULD OF SOUNDED SET UP WITH THE MEGAPHONES AND ALL, which was even longer stroked than the NORTON [ 71 bore x 93 stroke ] I had a series 1 R.E. at one time but never got it running due to having too move and had to cut loose with allought of things including the big R.E. Over my lifetime I've owned 57 autos [ first car was a 57 oldsmobile 88 my dad spotted , For 50 $. All it needed was a 5$ trans fluid hose, had the 371 cu.in. j2 rocket motor and could do 120 mph. ( thanks dad where ever you may be ) it was white, the best color for an auto, [coolest temp. wise, and the best looking also, to me.] I've also owned 62 motor cycles. Use to race Bultaco dirt bikes--- 250 pursang+360 el bandito with a pumper carb. from a place called Kendick Energiering in Chatsworth,Cal. Raced flat track and Tourest Throphy " T.T. " scrambles , left and right hand turns, oon a smoothe dirt course With a big high speed jump " like at Ascot in Gardena ", that kind of track. High speed thrills, big sweeping power slides thru the turns, [ WHAT A GAS THAT WAS ] I'LL NEVER FORGET, SO MUCH FUN !!!!! 🤩🎯🥳 WON TOO---- I RODE BIKES for over 50 yrs [ dirt + street ] "started at 13 With a Yamaha 80, added a high performance GYT KIT with an expansion chamber on it and really woke that bike up; I was hooked !!! I don't ride motor cycles anymore, the older the wiser you might say, well just leave it at that!!!🤔 Honorable mention in the perfor.ance and bad ass backrap dept. is the eairly 883 Harley Sportster with straight pipes that would give any big British twin a run for the money so to speak, but the best of all time " G.O.A.T." IN OLD SCHOOL MOTOR CYCLE DRAG RACING WAS THE NORTON SHOP OWNER IN WISCONSON [ T.C. MOTORS ] HE PUT TOGETHER A FUEL INJECTED BIG BORE KITTED 2 ENGINED NORTON THAT BEAT ALL THE TOP FUELERS FOR QUITE A STREACH" about 10 yrs " his name was T.C. CHRISTENSON " his shop was called Sunset Motors in Wisconson, and he called the dragster he created, And rode the "" HOGSLAYER "" The quickest and fastest 2 cylinder drag bike or that time period. [7.70's in 1/4 mile] mid 60's---mid 70's the G.O.A.T.
I had this wonderful bike for nearly 10 years but finaly sold it. You can only sit alone on it and for my wife wasn't the place enough. We like the style and the full sound. But at last I had to ride alone or take another bike for us. I'm so sorry, because I had invest a lot of money for many technical updates. Now a photo remember me for that time. We change to a retro-classik Triumph Bonneville. This seat is long enough and more comfortable for my wife.
As I was about to finish my tour in the U.S. Army being based in Germany in April 1970 I went to London and purchased a BSA Lightening. Had it shipped to the U.S. and all together the price was still about half of the cost in the U.S. The bike had a lot of vibration. Sold it after 2 years.
Whoever this beautiful bike belongs to, should Ride it and be Proud of himself to own this prestigious piece of history. Such a shame that there are so many people only seeing the $$$ signs when looking at these bikes. If you own one, and look after it properly, ride it sensibly, it will still keep it's worth.... just like my Mrs.... joking aside, these bikes are gods gift to man, the toys of todays priveledged. I only wish I had one, but i'm never in the right place at the right time.
He he, thanks a lot for your note. A lot of the guys in the club bought their bikes many years ago when they were relatively inexpensive and held onto them. New tires today cost more than what some of them paid for their bikes at the time 😉 Best wishes, Mike
Beautiful machine it looks better than it would have done when it left Small Heath in Birmingham. My dad had lots of tools from British bikes and cars of the past then after he passed away mom gave them all to a scrap man as she didn’t think anyone wanted them.
Long live the power eggs! 1970 Lightning was my first motorcycle and I will never sell it. Glad I had my dad to show me all the ins and outs of the prince of darkness.
Yeah one of the big " outs " with the 650 power egg was the crank bushing on the timing side that would wear out prematurely and would cause the motor to get low oil pressure and cause the motor to destroy itself under hard riding. Cant understand why B.S.A. didn't make it right at the factory in the first place???? Like Triumph, Norton + Royal Endfield ,who used a big ball bearing on the timing side, and a big roller bearing on the clutch side??? It's like to try to save a few " quid " BSA took the cheap rout and " slit their own neck [ B.S.A.'s company's neck ] The question is " WHY " ??????
These were great. We took one and made a Free Style Caffe out of it. All was full race stuff and that sucker was FAST. The other got made into a chopper. The third bike got made into a Bobber.
![1968 BSA A65 Lightning and 1972 Triumph Bonneville T120V [visit 10 of 31]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/5fbEHj7tsSM/mqdefault.jpg)
![1968 BSA A65 Lightning and 1972 Triumph Bonneville T120V [visit 10 of 31]](/img/tr.png)
That's a beautiful 650 BSA. A delight to look at and appreciate.
One of the prettiest motorcycles ever made
Spot on
Absolutely! I am also fond of the Triumph Bonneville of that era - but nothing tops the Lightning.
@@duanearcher7576 I'm torn. I don't think I could chose between a BSA Lightning, a Triumph Hurricane, an original Norton Commando and the original Kawasaki Mach IV H2 ........
Oh god! or, or, or or, ............And than there's a Vincent Black Shadow, a Brough Superior (any really) and I'd rather like something with girder forks and .........
*BUT*
What a dilemma to have *that* bike and try and decide do you put it in the living room or ride it.
There's no deliemma in my mind. Straddle it and ride the hell out of it like it was made to be ridden. It's a throbread!!!
Don't forget the Norton n-15 c.s.
" completion special " street version with lights for the street,
and the Norton P-11 750 desert racer ( ruled the desert races with Mike Patrick and Steve Hurd
riding them; and the P-11 street verson with down exhaust pipes called the Ranger, [ the n-15 cs, and the P 11 had the coolest gas
tanks ever put on a big British twin, except for maybe the ROYAL ENDFIELD 750 INTERCEPTOR'S series 1 and series 2) oh by the way the Royal Endfield Interceptor " series 1 "
was the quickest thru the 1/4 mile at the drag strip stock
"13.66" in 1966. Later to be eclipsed by the Norton Commando " combat " 750 cc verson which had a reputation
for blowing up, too much compression was the main culprit apparently. The Norton commando went on to be head and shoulders above all others in 1/4 mile drags taking a full second [in 69] quicker than the Royal Endfield's record in 66 cycle world road test. 13.66 !!
The Triumph Bonneville was a beautiful bike also, " nice gas tank also"
Hot Rod magazine use to have a few pages in it every month called " UP ON TWO WHEELS "
Written by a guy named Bob Green; They tested a 64 or 65 B.S.A. LIGHTING, changed the
Gearing around a little bit,
" gearing it higher, bigger trans sprocket and smaller rear tire sprocket" and got it going over 130 mph at El Mirage dry lake
in the Mojave Desert somewhere,
in 65!!!
I'm surprised this nice person in this video says the 650 B.S.A.
LIGHTING was the quickest thru
the 1/4 mile, that's not correct !
That title goes to the B.S.A. 650
" SPITFIRE " 🥳🤩👾🐙🤔🛸👽😱🎯
In 1970 I bought my first motorcycle...
a 1969 BSA Lightning.
One of the best bikes I’ve ever owned..
👍👍
Museum quality - one of the most beautiful motor cycles ever built ... it was fast for its time .. sounded like no other.
This is beautiful. The A65 is in my view the aesthetic peak point of the classic British Twin. I own and have partly restored a 1970 Thunderbolt myself. That was the last year of the old classic chrome styling. Obviously it isn't as immaculate as this one. But then I ride it on the road. To me, it is a very sad thing to think that this gorgeous Lightning will be preserved like a fly in amber and never ridden. If you started it up and heard the wonderful sound of the engine you would understand at once.
"One of the prettiest motorcycles"......What an understatement.....
Thanks a lot Jim, yes I agree. It is a fantastic looking bike.
I was privileged to have a 1970 Thunderbolt back in 1972, bought from Ejay, a coworker at C&NW RR in Mankato, MN. Sold it several years later to buy an engagement ring for my wife of 46 years. Some days I really miss that motorcycle ! People would walk across the street just to get a closer look.
Thanks a lot for sharing. The thunderbolt is a very cool bike. Best wishes,
I had a 1965 BSA Lightning. This machine is a thing of beauty!
Many thanks. Yes, I agree. It's an amazing bike. Best wishes, Mike
I've long thought the BSA 650 is a contender for best-looking motorcycle of all time. I saw one as a kid and was smitten. Still am.
I love that he buys them back if the customer isn't riding it enough.
Yeah,there is a place for 'static display',and this is magnificent.
They were made to be ridden,and enjoyed as such.
One day we will all be a static display,so ride 'em while you can
God, that is beautiful 😍
'75 T160 and '72 T100R owner
Such beautiful motorcycles were made in the past, I am immediately back in the 60s when I see this.
This Bike is Beautiful. I have had Triumphs but never a BSA and this is my Favorite. Love the Lighting.
Too find NOS parts for a bike this age, is so rare and that toolkit must of been like finding the holy grail!
A credit to Dave and his enthusiasm, what a bike 😃
Have a good one Mike ☕️🫖
Absolutely stunning restoration!
Imagine row upon row of these bikes,back in the day,with all the candy paint and chrome glistening in the dealer showroom.
Simply magical times!
there is a film that came out in the late 60's called" IF " with Malcom mcdonald i think anyway there is a scene where they steal a BSA a65 from a dealers showroom full of new brit bikes if only ! to the best of my knowledge that is the only footage of a bike showroom around ; unless you know different
@@Richard-pe4cx That was *a hell of a weird film* .
It must have been for me to have forgotten that bit.
If you seek out the strange 1968 film ' If ' starring Malcolm McDowell , David Hemmings and you'll see just that !
BSA's are absolutely Gorgeous, candy paint and stunning chrome, like a fine piece of jewelry.
Couldn't agree more! Thanks a lot
It looks like it has just been rolled off the production line. Wonderful. Thanks for presenting it Dave, and thank you for taking us along Mike.
What a fantastic bike, it’s a shame it’s going to a collector, if that was mine it would be new tires a tank full of gas, gear on and out for a run in the English countryside, classic motorcycles should be ridden not locked away as a investment, thanks Mike for Sharing that with us. Ride safe cheers Martin.🇬🇧👍
Totally agree. A bike that isn't ridden is a dead bike. It exists to move, not just to be looked at.
The Most beautiful bike ever made
The most beautiful bike EVER made...it is a work of art, just sitting and resting...
Handmade the new motorcycles cannot hold a candle against these old classics
WOW! My 68 BSA Lightning------ One of the most beautiful motorcycles ever made.
I just love those USA spec bars, they just look cooler than anything we had in the UK at the time
@PhilB ... Back in the day, I bought one of these new, with those bars, in London, think it was in Tooting. It was part of a cancelled US order. At the time not many seemed to be aware of what I had.., most just thought I had changed the bars. The side chromed tank was also a hint as to it's original destination.
Bugger, wish I still had it !!!
Great story, I lived on a council estate as a kid one where everyone worked. No one would nick your pushbikes because we never had any !! I don't remember how old I was but a guy six doors down had a lightning, Sunday morning he would wash it I always walked past drooling over it especially the purple blue headers. Same colour as this beautiful example, I was smitten his mates had Norton commandos, Aireal arrows, Bonneville's ect. There began my obsession with the motorcycle, just like to say thank you to Paul carpenter a guy that had time to speak to a young dreamer, and Richard golker. RIP Trevor loft one of the lads that never made it taken way to young ❤🇬🇧
As a teenager back in the sixties i lusted after a lightning but couldn't afford one , this one is gorgeous.
Thanks for posting. I bought a 69 Lightning from a friend who purchased it new from Andy Pelc in Southgate , MI. Was the same color, but had a Firebird Scrambler tank as the original was damaged in transit. Ended up selling it after a few years. My 71 Lightning came from Cycle Hub when it was sold. It is a true Bitsa. Thunderbolt lower, Lightning head. This one I am keeping. I have the article from Cycle World.
What a beautiful bike!
Wow! what a super honey! Just love it!
That bike was a stunner
It was my dream bike.
I dreamed of this machine in 1965.
A bike like this needs to be ridden to be appreciated.
that is the most beautifulist resto i have ever seen in my life time.
Many thanks Rod! It really is a beautiful bike. Dave is an incredibly talented Vintage Motorcycle restorer. He did an amazing job with this bike. Best wishes, Mike
Ein sehr schönes Motorrad. So müssen Motorräder aussehen......und klingen!!! Super
Beautiful bike... That red , chrome and gold just look stunning
Absolutely lovely ! The Spitfire was faster of course but I think was discontinued by 1969 as the Rocket 3 came out 🇬🇧🏍
What a beauty. The only bike I ever got the tool kit with, was my 175 Honda, that I bought brand new in 1971.
I remember the ist CD 175 I saw, a school prefect rode it school regularly, I would have been 13 or 14 at the time. Was so quite like a sewing machine compaired to the British stuff, about three years later a Honda 350 turned up at our youth club with a yoshi system on it jezus it howled like a banshee the rest is history!!
I remember thinking this was just so desirable when I saw my first one in a friend's garage. I wanted one so much. He had two because he stated one often times required work and he always wanted one available to ride. This is such a gorgeous restoration. Well done pal.
Hi Jonny, thanks very much for your note. Best wishes, Mike.
Had a friend as a young teenager who had his model. Just plain beautiful!
I restored a basket case 1971 lightning. Such a nice sounding motorcycle. Fun to work on and fun to ride.
Its very clear that you know your business . that is my favorite B S A and color . Red and crome gos so good together ! You done a great job .
Compared to the new bikes, the old ones were works of art!🤗
This is my favorite British bike.
That is an amazing BSA. Thank you both for sharing!
Fastest BSA you could buy in 1969 and *without question, one of the prettiest* .
Mate, you got that dead right.
I shall now indulge in a spot of heresy ......... In 1967 one of the lads I knew had a 250 Ducati. Watching this reminded me of that. There are 'some styling similarities'.
Maybe in the first part of 1969, but not after Honda introduced the 750/4. They came out in 1969 and what a shock those were to the various motorcycle riders and companies alike.
@@chrisbaker2903 As we lay in the road after a tree stepped out in front of us on a damp Scottish road on our way to the Thistle Rally, my then fiance said 'Can we get a Honda Four next?'
What a work of art. This guy is so cool..."if you don't ride it enough , I'm buying it back" LOVE IT!
I had extactly this bike in the early 70ies, it was my first bike.
This was my 2nd bike. I learned to ride on a 350 flat twin Douglas, but took my test on an Orange/Creme BSA C25 250cc Barracuda thumper (single cylinder).
Bet there are not many of either of them still alive 'n kickin' !!
Oh, the good old days.
Just beautiful! Thank you for sharing this bike with us!
Absolutely stunning! Took my beath away. I remember, as a little boy, staring through a dealer's (I think Fowlers in Bristol, UK) showroom window at brand new BSAs and dreaming of things to come. Sadly they went broke before I was old enough.
Great bike. Back in 1971 I bought a 1970 Lightening but it was blue.
I owned a new 1965 Lightning ... beautiful example !!
You must be so proud of your BSA.
Had to watch again! She sure is a beauty! Mine was a 500CC BSA Shooting star Black. Loved it to!
My word Mike, looking at that bike is like stepping out of a time machine onto the lot of the little shop at the corner of Lawrence and Bimbrock in Scarborough when I was 14. They had BSA and Triumph and I was always drawn a bit more to the Lightning than the Bonneville. Oh, and that was after we moved to Canada. Not the Scarborough you're probably thinking of LOL!
My brother had friend had one best thing watching him take off for home getting it down the road 😊I can still hear it 😊 !
Nice of your friend to share his bike and information Mike. Beautiful restoration.
Wow what a beautiful beautiful piece of machinery.
Wow just look at that beauty.
This was the last BSA model I owned, which I think I bought in Tooting, London. It was part of a cancelled order that was bound for the US.
It had higher bars on it and the chrome sided tank which was the BSA way of distinguishing their bikes destined for the foreign market. Wish I still had it, it would be surely priced at well over twice the price I payed back then. Thanks for this post.
Wow! essentially a brand new bike 👌
Wow ! Beautiful !😎👍
Had one of these mainly BSA lightning but had parts that were god knows what ! purchased it basically as a frame, wheels, engine and a collection of bits an pieces my ex father in law and my self put it together and amazingly I was able to get it road worthied and registered. Was a great bike to ride despite all the different bits !
It really should be ridden otherwise might as well just have a picture of it on the wall. Anyway, each to their own, I guess!
Never owned 1 of these but did own a '73 Norton. These had problems with spark plugs in those days. They were cammed fairly radical & ran rich for street use. I remember reading this in Cycle.
Gorgeous is that BSA. Thanks for the post.
Now, thats what you call a motorbike.
Nice bike. I have a 1970 royal star 500. Bought it when I was 19, in 1982.
Thanks Mike, I enjoyed that. I wish I had friends like Dave who knew how to restore Classic British Motorcycles.
Yeah nothing like candy apple red and chrome to melt your heart.
What a beautiful restoration job. Thanks for the video Mike. Cheers, Dan🏍👍🇨🇦
Absolutely stunning bike! A very informative narration and a credit to the restorers.
Many thanks David! I appreciate your note. Best wishes, Mike
Thank you Mike for this wonderful reportage. It brings me back to the mid ´70s when I was 17 and that I owned a BSA Lightning 650.
GREAT RESTAURATION !! 👍👌
I always want to own one...but instead could only get a Triumph 650 at the time. Enjoyed that bike...but really wanted what you see here!
If I had it...I would definitely be riding it.......god its a beauty.
I Re built my 64 Bonneville using only NOS parts . All engine and gearbox internals NOS ,Forks , Tank, Front and Rear mudguard, complete headlamp assembly gauges loom all fasteners etc. Built up a tool kit from the correct genuine tools , even found a pump . Bought a lot of parts from Sharon and Cliff at cycle hub it cost me a bomb to get it shipped back to England. Hitchcocks motorcycles in Folkestone Kent was also great for NOS parts . Nothing beats the genuine parts , especially when you find that elusive rare part . Sadly all I have left of my bike now after all of that hard work is photographs of the finished bike, I had to sell it to buy my house . The late Don Hitchcock told me during the 60s he and his dad ,would get American customers come into his shop ,buy a Triumph to do a road trip around England , he said occasionally his dad and himself would let some them sleep in the shop overnight .
Thanks a lot Michael for sharing that great note. I really enjoyed reading it. Best wishes, Mike
Absolutely Stunning 👍
Best looking bike ever
Just stunning !
Many thanks!
Beautifull looking bike.
Long live British Motorcycles 🇬🇧
I had a 69 Firebird.
Superb motorcycle.
The classic cosmetic design is amazing in adding the american handle bar and riding such twin is the the best experience you might have...I owned the spitfire 69 when I was 20....
I'd agree with that.Remember a friend having a new one in ' 67, a UK ' E ' registration HEB 6E , although my favourite is the pre-unit Bonnie , cannot be denied that it is drop-dead gorgeous !.
Thanks a lot Roger. I’m glad you enjoyed the video. That is a cracking lightning, isn’t it! Glad you enjoyed the video. Best wishes, Mike
Superb job of restoration. Probably better than new.
My Dad had a 1965 BSA Lightning A65, when he got it it had megaphones on it with drilled plates inside to act as mufflers, which were very restrictive (put on by idiots no doubt) and he found a complete stock exhaust system and put it on and from that day forward I've felt that the BSA Lightning is the BEST SOUNDING MOTORCYCLE EVER!!! He rode it to work most days, well most nights anyway since he worked graveyard shift at a local navy base and I would always wake up and listen. He would start it, then put on his helmet and gloves and zip up his jacket before riding off. I could hear him ride to the corner, down that street and into 3rd to another corner, then a short way to a short feeder to the local highway. Lets just say he didn't waste any time coming up to speed going down the grade from Oak View heading towards Ventura. I would lose the sound until he was well past the bottom of the hill and I could sometimes hear him downshift and pass another vehicle as he went through Casitas Springs. Then I'd lose the sound for good and go back to sleep. Damn Fine Memories.
I might be old and a little broken from happenings as I went through life but if I had that bike I'd ride it darn near every day. Yeah, when he left it home I sometimes snuck out on it and rode it around town. Easy to start, never any trouble and simply a pleasure to ride. I don't think he ever realized I was putting mileage on it. Of all the motorcycles I've ever ridden That's one of my top 3 or 4 that I'd love to have now. In no particular order, my favorite bikes are that BSA, my Honda CB700 Nighthawk, My Honda VT500 (not the cruiser styled one) and my Honda CB350/4 cylinder. If I was given a choice of any of those 4, I don't think I could choose.
Hi Chris, thank you very much for sharing your fantastic story. I loved reading it. It was a pleasure to read. Many thanks, Mike
There very best British twin I ever was a mid 60's Norton n 15 cs with headlights,taillights , and open megaphones !!!!
I never forget that back rap snarled that big " snorting Norton" would make produce when he would back off the throttle to slow down for a high speed sweeping bend in the road that went right by my house in the mid 60's, then he'd get back on the gas when he straightened out a I'd that fabulous Norton snarl, everyday !!!🎯🥳🙉It had a big Norton name painted on each side of that tank in big curved white letters with black pin stripping on each cursive letters covering the whole side of that cool styled n-15 c.s./ P11
styled tank, candie apple red stock factory paint!!! I'LL NEVER FORGET THAT, THAT BIG BACK RAP SNARL THAT FABLOUIS SNORTEN NORTON COULD PRODUCE WHEN HE SHUT THE GAS OF TO SLOW DOWN FOR THAT LONG SWEEPING TURN, THEN BACK ON THE GAS AGAIN,
TOTIALLY AWSOME!!!!!
NO doubt that snarl/backrap when the gas backed off due to the open megaphone exhaust, and being LONG STROKED[73 bore x89 stroke ; I could only imagine how the fabulous
ROYAL ENDFIELD SERIES 1 WOULD OF SOUNDED SET UP WITH THE MEGAPHONES AND ALL, which was even longer stroked than the NORTON
[ 71 bore x 93 stroke ]
I had a series 1 R.E. at one time but never got it running due to having too move and had to cut loose with allought of things including the big R.E.
Over my lifetime I've owned 57 autos [ first car was a 57 oldsmobile 88 my dad spotted ,
For 50 $. All it needed was a 5$ trans fluid hose, had the 371 cu.in. j2 rocket motor and could do 120 mph. ( thanks dad where ever you may be ) it was white, the best color for an auto, [coolest temp. wise, and the best
looking also, to me.]
I've also owned 62 motor cycles.
Use to race Bultaco dirt bikes---
250 pursang+360 el bandito with a pumper carb. from a place called Kendick Energiering in Chatsworth,Cal. Raced flat track
and Tourest Throphy " T.T. " scrambles , left and right hand
turns, oon a smoothe dirt course
With a big high speed jump " like at Ascot in Gardena ", that kind of track. High speed thrills, big sweeping power slides thru the turns, [ WHAT A GAS THAT WAS ]
I'LL NEVER FORGET, SO MUCH FUN !!!!! 🤩🎯🥳 WON TOO----
I RODE BIKES for over 50 yrs
[ dirt + street ] "started at 13
With a Yamaha 80, added a high performance GYT KIT with an expansion chamber on it and really woke that bike up; I was hooked !!!
I don't ride motor cycles anymore, the older the wiser you might say, well just leave it at that!!!🤔
Honorable mention in the perfor.ance and bad ass backrap dept. is the eairly 883 Harley Sportster with straight pipes that would give any big British twin a run for the money so to speak, but the best of all time
" G.O.A.T." IN OLD SCHOOL MOTOR CYCLE DRAG RACING WAS THE NORTON SHOP OWNER
IN WISCONSON [ T.C. MOTORS ]
HE PUT TOGETHER A FUEL INJECTED BIG BORE KITTED 2 ENGINED NORTON THAT BEAT ALL THE TOP FUELERS FOR QUITE A STREACH" about 10 yrs "
his name was T.C. CHRISTENSON
" his shop was called Sunset Motors in Wisconson, and he called the dragster he created,
And rode the "" HOGSLAYER ""
The quickest and fastest 2 cylinder drag bike or that time period. [7.70's in 1/4 mile] mid 60's---mid 70's the G.O.A.T.
I had this wonderful bike for nearly 10 years but finaly sold it. You can only sit alone on it and for my wife wasn't the place enough. We like the style and the full sound. But at last I had to ride alone or take another bike for us. I'm so sorry, because I had invest a lot of money for many technical updates. Now a photo remember me for that time. We change to a retro-classik Triumph Bonneville. This seat is long enough and more comfortable for my wife.
Would be great if BSA were still around and be as successful as triumph has been making retro models with the beautiful lines of these 60s machines
Following on to previous comments...I believe this is the most beautiful machine I've seen on your channel.
As I was about to finish my tour in the U.S. Army being based in Germany in April 1970 I went to London and purchased a BSA Lightening. Had it shipped to the U.S. and all together the price was still about half of the cost in the U.S. The bike had a lot of vibration. Sold it after 2 years.
Many thanks for sharing your story. The Lightnings are really cool bikes. Best wishes, Mike.
Whoever this beautiful bike belongs to, should Ride it and be Proud of himself to own this prestigious piece of history.
Such a shame that there are so many people only seeing the $$$ signs when looking at these bikes.
If you own one, and look after it properly, ride it sensibly, it will still keep it's worth.... just like my Mrs.... joking aside, these bikes are gods gift to man, the toys of todays priveledged. I only wish I had one, but i'm never in the right place at the right time.
He he, thanks a lot for your note. A lot of the guys in the club bought their bikes many years ago when they were relatively inexpensive and held onto them. New tires today cost more than what some of them paid for their bikes at the time 😉 Best wishes, Mike
Stunning
I have a 67 lightening that needs restored. Hoping to start on it this coming winter.
Looks great, must have been fantastic looking through all those original old parts from Cycle Hub
Thanks Kevin. Apparently it was an amazing sight. Folks came from all over the world to see the parts!
I once owned a BSA Lightning 650.the number plate WAS FLY 650J.Great bike.
Thanks a lot Michael, that was a perfect number plate! I agree. They are stunning looking bikes and they sound fantastic. Best wishes, Mike
This is a beautiful bike. I read that BSA is coming back. I hope it's either this bike or the Goldstar that they bring back.
More likely a 300 cc commuter.
Beautiful machine it looks better than it would have done when it left Small Heath in Birmingham. My dad had lots of tools from British bikes and cars of the past then after he passed away mom gave them all to a scrap man as she didn’t think anyone wanted them.
Thanks for bringing this out, it's beautiful, a very fine restoration.
Long live the power eggs! 1970 Lightning was my first motorcycle and I will never sell it. Glad I had my dad to show me all the ins and outs of the prince of darkness.
Yeah one of the big " outs " with the 650 power egg was the crank bushing on the timing side that would wear out prematurely and would cause the motor to get low oil pressure and cause the motor to destroy itself under hard riding. Cant understand why B.S.A. didn't make it right at the factory in the first place????
Like Triumph, Norton + Royal Endfield ,who used a big ball bearing on the timing side, and a big roller bearing on the clutch side??? It's like to try to save a few " quid " BSA took the cheap rout and " slit their own neck [ B.S.A.'s company's neck ]
The question is " WHY " ??????
Oh,the "prince of darkness is not the B.S.A lighting----- that TITLE belongs to the VINCENT " BLACK PRINCE " 😱🎯🥳🤩🙊 🤔
@@ccrider00 that applies to all British cycles using Lucas electronics 🤣🤣
I had one of these, really loved it
I had a '68 Lightning. Great bike. Same color. Best chrome pkg around!!
Hated mine back in 1975, it kept shearing the Woodruff key, I could never trust it to get me there or home, sold it and got a Bonnie!
These were great. We took one and made a Free Style Caffe out of it. All was full race stuff and that sucker was FAST. The other got made into a chopper. The third bike got made into a Bobber.
You are welcome. Your bike looks super.
I love it. And I happen to be wearing my BSA shirt today as I watch this! Thanks.