BSA A65 road test after engine rebuild by Performance Classics.
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- Опубліковано 14 чер 2019
- This machine can be seen in some of my other videos. It had a full engine strip after over 1.5 mm of crank end float was found, along with a cracked crankshaft, very badly worn timing side bush and several other faults, which have all been put right.
This was the first time this machine moved under its own power after the rebuild and it would appear to be much happier with life now!
I hadn't paid much attention to the A65s before watching your channel. I can see they were better than their reputation, something that can be said about many classic British bikes.
Yes, I sometimes wonder where such rumours come from - I have a few bikes of different makes and models which shouldn't really make it out of the village if all the stories were true!
BSA A65s were fun to ride when they weren't clanking or rapping. I drove my 1965 Lightning from NY to SF and then to LA in 1970. I was accompanied by a friend on a 1969 BSA Firebird Scrambler, which he bought new in 1970. Amazing we made it that far. Had to stop when the cage on the drive side ball bearing detached and made a horrible squealing sound. This was 6,000 miles past a complete bottom-up rebuild. A65s were beautiful looking, but were money pits!
My firebird scambler would go like a scolded cat till something broke , one time my barrels broke just when I was going good aye
Beautiful looking bike that had big problems, but you've done a great job on it, mate. Brilliant.
WOW Thanks been a long time since i did that. Now 50 years later thanks to you, i have done it again.
Thanks again Brother. Your YT vids bring back great memories from 50 years ago for me. Keep doing your magic. Your clients need you. St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada.
Thanks very much for your kind words, Brien, glad you like the videos!
Beautiful motorcycle, but the environment is also beautiful.
You are actually constantly driving through a beautiful postcard.
Great video. I was looking forward to seeing this video after seeing the two previous videos on this lovely looking bike. Good work, the owner will be pleased.
Thanks, and glad you like the video!
A beautiful day to ride a beautiful bike. Unfortunately I’m recovering from my very first bout of vertigo and discovered watching your ride along made me incredibly dizzy. I shall return!
Get well soon!
It looks to me as though the OIF style Lucas indicators (which are a mod I heartily endorse as I've put a pair of non Lucas on my 1970 T'bolt because I want to live!) at the rear have been mounted THROUGH the rear mounted reflectors! Very interested in how that was achieved while retaining those reflectors and also the integrity of the rear light mount! And yes, and of course it is a lovely bike. I think the last round of pre OIF A65s were the ultimate in traditional British Twin aesthetics! Gorgeous and the sound of the engine matches too!
I had a 67 BSA Lightning in 1975 when 20 years old with 1700 miles on the engine From Boston, Ma. I used to drive it down to the beaches of Cape Cod during the summer. Someone put a peanut tank and raked front end but I found an original tank to return it to stock. Good memories and excellent job diagnosing and repairing lower end.
Thanks, Jack!
You certainly work hard to get these projects finished so quickly.
Thanks!
Outstanding....The.A65 Lightning is one of the best looking motorcycles ever built.
They are - and they are also one of the best value for money classics, too.
In the seventies when I got my spitfire mkIV we discovered the weaknesses we know how to fix today.like bottom bearing,SRM oil pump ,oil fillter, as well as oil pressure manometer to prevent any trouble.
These bikes fitted with the A65 are not only cosmtically superb but easy to ride with pleasure ....
Excellent work and very quickly done.
Thank you!
Its a beautiful example of this bike, wish mine looked that nice.
A splendid ride on a proper British motorcycle. Thanks.
Thanks Herman, glad you enjoyed it!
Nice work, you are a craftsman.
Thank you very much!
Thanks for the great video of a great bike. The video was not a head cam so was easier to watch. This is a re-post as my last one was hijacked. Cheers!
Thank you!
@@paulhenshaw4514 Aw, yes. She handled that junction wait, well enough! I hadn't said before but what fantastic work you've done on a machine I wish I could say I've had, have or am likely to have but that's not going to happen. Thank you, sir, for the fun ride-out on what is a sunny afternoon in March here and now!(2021) Thank You.
@@Flymochairman1 That is very kind of you, thanks again!
Great bike again!
- Belle machine !
A right-proper motor bike...like my A65 !
Great looking bike, good job on the engine.
What was the combination of a banging clashing noise that went throughout the video?
thats a real sweet bike man
Thank you!
@@paulhenshaw4514 credit where credits due man!
I'd give BOTH my kidneys for that... Beautiful
Wow - steady on !!
Sounds good
Thank you!
Beautiful bike - should be more retro looking bikes.
Andrew Hoffman - You would like the new Kawasaki W800s. Same riding experience but with much closer tolerances for better reliability.
I have a BS a thunderbolt with a spare motor I prefer the single- c a r b version of Triumph and bsa's because you don't get the hammering vibration from carbs being slightly out of sync.
Fair point, but twin carbs on such machines are not hard to synchronize, although it would seem many struggle to do so, going by how many I have come across which have been way out!
Do you notice a big difference between the performance of drum v disc brakes on a large capacity bike like that? My first bike had drums, the rest have been discs since ‘74.
Drums can work as well as and better than some discs - if set up properly - and that is where a lot of drums are let down and even well set up drums can 'go off' after a while. With disc brakes, what you get is usually more consistent.
Was this the model they manufactured with an elliptical front wheel?
well whatever caused the catastrophic failure after leaving your
shop, this engine didn`t sound like its days were numbered.🤔
Hi Paul firstly I'd like to say how much I enjoy your videos. Love the character of the old bikes. I'm thinking on purchasing a BSA A10 . Any particular model you would recommend , ie Is the lightning a more troublesome machine than the golden flash?I would appreciate your opinion.
Hi David, late A10's seem to have a better reputation for reliability and longer life than the A65's, which is a bit unfair, but a badly put together A65 can be expensive trouble, as seen here.
@@paulhenshaw4514 Thanks for your quick reply Paul. I guess research into past maintenance is the safest bet.As you well know it's so easy to be caught out. Cheers!
Definitely good to go home! Of course it would be better if it was going to MY home but that is beside the point.
I've been meaning to ask ages ago, at the level crossing do the trains go by at a walking pace when going across? as I guess there is a station close by.
They should do, but sometimes they come thundering through and they have scored a couple of 'hits' that I know of ...
There have been no trains for about 6 months now, due to derailment damage and a resulting fire, near Llanelli.
Who is the bloke with the brolly on a pedestal at 4:29? The BSA is lovely tho, not many left
That is the Village war Memorial statue.
That's it, after watching this the Bonnie has to be on the road for the summer.
Go for it!
I like the BSA twins and have a Golden Flash, but i don't know why BSA perservered with those crappy cheap timing side bushes and end float and all that messing around. The big Triumph twins had proper bearings both sides of the crank and were never any worry.
A fair comment, although I think the timing side bushes are ok if oil changes are done frequently enough, along with cleaning out the oil tanks from time to time - let dirt in and they won't like it1
@@paulhenshaw4514
True Paul, but the problem is if they need replacement it can be a right faff. Its difficult to get the original white metal bushes, and then they really need to be line bored, which can be difficult to get done. I know a good few lads who have had bushes replaced and then had trouble. Compared to a Triumph, you pop down to the bearing factors and buy a new set of bearings, pop them in, reassemble and you are good to go.
From April 1966 they all went to bearings on the drive side
bonkey dollocks From ball bearings to roller bearings
@@lockeyestlocksmith2349 no it was bronze Bush to ball then the later convertiin is to roller
What type of camera were you using. No wind noise. Impressive.
Thanks - this is what I use and how I use it ... ua-cam.com/video/okExHYdMEs4/v-deo.html
Do you actually sell bikes n stuff or is it all tuning and repairs, and great UA-cam videos ?
Thanks - No, I decided at the start of Performance Classics that I would not get involved in buying and selling, just repairs, rebuilds and tuning. The videos came about to show distant customers how their machines were coming along and got a much bigger following than I ever expected!
Paul, I understand that pre 66 cranks were narrower is that true.
There are different part numbers and different main bearing arrangements and types, so it is possible.
Where did the flashers come from? Looks like after market. I think I would like to put the same set on my 69 Lightning.
Hi Tom, I didn't fit them, but they are just early seventies Lucas / Lucas pattern items, as found on many slightly later British machines.
Thanks Paul. I really enjoy your videos. I've watched many of them over and over.
Paul Henshaw How much Torque has the Lightening? Also the Thunderbolt?
Plenty !!
@@paulhenshaw4514 I mean foot/lbs. number
Sorry, I don't know the numbers, but they are very torquey and seem to have plenty of power.
@@paulhenshaw4514 O.k. On those narrow roads, that torque comes in handy. I drove them in a Vauxhall automatic in Hertfordshire. I can see how a manual 4 speed motorbike would get a work out. Safe ride Mate!
You have that singing!!!
Thank you!
1964 Thunderbolt in 1969, I was 18
Paul, How can I get in touch with you for a 1971 Triumph rebuild?
Hi Jack, try my Performance Classics FB page, or Google it - I am easy to find! Thanks, Paul.
Thanks Paul for the feedback.Im here in Pennsylvania.Where is your shop? Have a 71 Triumph Tiger with 33 k all original since new. Upper end valve job last year w/new Amal carb. Still have a little low end knock. Changed oil at 1500 miles since new.Tell me your thoughts. Thanks Jack
Hi Jack, I am in the UK in South Wales. I would check the alternator rotor is not loose on the end of the crank, but other than that, noises from the bottom end are not good news. You can check for play in the big ends by turning the engine with the plugs out, as the pistons go over TDC and down a small amount, stop and using a suitable item through the plug holes, see if you can push the pistons down by any amount and if they stop with a 'clunk'. Also quite easy to do is check at the ends of the crank for any up and down play, or side to side movement. Hope this is useful! regards, Paul.
@@paulhenshaw4514 Thanks Paul for the feedback.Wish you were closer here in US.
Turn signals? Noooo!
So much clattering!
Yes, all thanks to the very sensitive mic on my camera - the same will be found in hundreds of my other videos. Very good for picking out any pinking, even when 'invisible' to the human ear.
The British used to make the most beautiful bikes in the old days now they are all ugly as s i n.
I totally agree!
Lovely job. Thank you for sharing
Thank you! 😊