You got the camera just right, well done. You've inspired me to dig out one of my Lightnings and take it for a good long, fast run. I usually just pootle along the Perth ,(West Australia) Coastal strip but these bikes are built to be run fast, not just posing
@@alanmorgan9353 thanks Alan for your kind remarks. Maybe you might like to revisit that experience - they are not that expensive to pickup - probably less than the price of a new enfield bullet?
I’ve just inherited one of these from my grandfather after he passed away just before Christmas. Was immaculate condition when he parked it up after his last ride out on it in 2010. It’s been in the garage ever since untouched so I will get round to pulling it out soon and recommissioning it in the summer I hope!
I guess you know what needs to be done.Good luck. It's a privilege to own such a legacy bike. They feel quite agricultural compared to modern bikes but give it a while and you'll learn to love the sound and feel of it. Thanks for sharing your story.
I can’t wait. Watching your ride out on yours really gets me excited to get out on mine! I’ve just checked it out today and it’s still in good condition. New tyres brakes and a good service and I think it will be up and running and ready for the sun!
I had a 1967 Lightning. I started on a Honda 90 that topped out at 55 mph then moved on to the Lightning, which was one of the fastest bikes on the road in 1967. I bought mine in 1978 and by then the big Japanese bikes had eclipsed it. But it was still plenty fast. Too much of a jump for me, I should have fit a Honda CB360 in between the 90 and the Lightning. I came over a crest to a blind corner with gravel all over the pavement. I grabbed the brakes hard but that drum up front was no disk and I was still going 30 when I hit the gravel. Glad I was wearing a helmet, gloves and a leather jacket. Still spent the night in a hospital to fix my right thumb. I sold the scratched up Lightning to a buddy for $500 and he restored her.
Sweet sounding engine, a good example. I have rebuilt a couple of Lightning’s in the day. Both had the sump plugs housing boss smashed by their owners I guess they were made for scrambling. But loverly machines and this is a great example.
Love the set up with the bars, mirrors and levers. Really good to hear that exhaust note. I had an 82 Triumph Tiger Trail with a smooth engine you could hear and feel working under you. You didn't have to thrash it to enjoy it.
The speedo on mine used to do that too; it's the rotating magnet inside the clock skimming against the disc. There is an adjustment but you have to take the speedo apart. What I did on mine is to drill a small hole in the casing immediately beneath the adjustment screw so now all I have to do is to peel off a strip of tape and I can adjust away to my hearts content. Mine's a 67 too but looks more like a 68 and I love it.
I had a 650 Rocket Gold Star copy actually before the RGS made. A mechanic with vision made from A10 bottom with ? I think a export aluminium head with optional twin carbs. Rear set rests, Gold star cutaway brakes, rear sets, gaiters , twin clocks and clip ons bars. He even drilled engine mounts to reduce weight. Great fun but Police always pulled me up ( to get ideas) as it had a red frame with a white tank with unicorns !! on it. Me with my Helmet with Viking wings at age 17.
Absolute fun, Birmingham Small Arms. just this Sunday took my wife for a ride on a 70 Tiger, I have a 72 Commando as well, it is fast. these English bikes have soul, the way they corner on twisty roads is amazing, the low down grunt yet let them rev they get a second wind, lastly the sound is music..
You know your stuff Brian. I find Triumph and Norton twins a little over represented at rallies in the UK. The A65 is exotic enough to get attention and yet still has an excellent spares supply. I got a 68 and 70 Lightnings. They are needle roller converted. At 117 MPH Cycle World magazine pronounced the BSA A65 Spitfire the fastest 650 they had ever tested.
The A65 BSA is a great motorcycle, I have ridden many but for some reason have never actually owned one, this I plan to rectify while still able to enjoy riding, same as the triples, great fun also.. These England built bikes were a big part of my youth, I still love them.. thanks Alan for your reply.
I had a 69 Lightning. Great to hear that sound again. I did have to laugh at the bouncing speedo. Mine worked for a minute once. It just added character. My brother had a Thunderbolt which gave me quite a run for the money but I took him on the top end.
Now I know where you live. I had a 69 lightning with spitfire internals was the best bike I’ve ever had out of all British and American bikes I’ve owned and have to say was thee dumbest thing I’ve ever done in my life to sell it I’m falling into depression as I watch this. Am now sell our house to buy another yay I feel better now
Always liked the A10 more myself but I liked the A65 except for the crankshaft oil feed system. Really nice video and enjoyable watch, the bike seemed to perform beautifully.
fue muy satisfactorio manejar virtual mente y recordatorio de la decada de los 70 un recorrido fascinante en esta moto muchas grass. lo felicito en muy buen estado de concervacion
@@jammaster7614 yea I'm so looking forward to that I would like to get a garage situation I can work out first and I'd probably track progress on my channel. Thanks for the encouragement!
They are OK but not as smooth as any modern bike though....they give you a visceral feel whilst still holding the road very well. I hope you enjoy your Lightning as much as I do mine!
I have a 1960 something BSA Thunderbolt that the previous owners took the whole engine apart and I thought maybe there was something wrong with it I took the crankshaft to my Ducati buddy who races and has a race shop and he said Frank there is no where on the crankshaft at all. The 6000 original miles on the speedometer was correct. How could somebody take apart a perfectly running motorcycle and then let it sit in a box for 20 years. I ended up buying another Thunderbolt BSA motor to put in it. I like the single carburetor versions like the Thunderbolt and the tiger because it is much easier to deal with the one carburetor. I got the whole bike rolling chassis with the motor and a couple of milk crates plus the cost of the complete motor so I got the whole bike for $1,000 in nice shape for the Body Works those days are long gone.
This looks like somewhere near where I live in the Shire of Yarra Ranges, based on the bins you are passing. But the signage tells me you are in the western district somewhere.
Love the bike ! Question for all the BSA riders out there, is there any line up / model charts to show the different models ( showing the differences) say from 65 to 69 ???
Sounds Sweet! I can't quite get mine to idle when warm. Think i need to play about with the slide position. Still part of the fun is tinkering with them!
Hi yes carbs are standard and are set up to original set up with new pilot jet. I do wonder if the float levels are wrong as i only have to touch the tickler and petrol squirts out. The plugs do soot up quickly and i wonder if that has something to do with the problems at idle? Thing is there is no adjustment on the float height so not sure how to cure that?
Twin 1964 A65, Like yours but not running quite as well! I will have a go this weekend. Seen a few tips on adjusting the float level. As always finding time! Here she is ua-cam.com/video/1RHDh6cMeAA/v-deo.html
I've never heard the tappets run so quietly! Most will have that high pitched aluminum sounding "ting". I've always thought it was the tappet gap, but now I look at the rocker and shaft for excessive play as a source for top end noise. Any tips on setting the gap? Do you use the specs from the manual?
You used to be able to get gadgets which would measure the *actual* gap, rather than a feeler gauge reading. Just don’t set em *too* tight, else you’ll burn your valves out!
All these riding vids should have a little box in the corner showing the speedo and rev counter, i'd love to know what you were doing on that fast bit? Camera angles destroy the sense of speed, like watching racing on tv. Beautiful looking and sounding bike I am sooooo jealous.
notwocdivad Unfortunately if I did that I could lose my license! A few other Australian riders on UA-cam have discovered that! Speed ranged from 70 to 95 mph on this run.
Craig's Classics You know that never entered what little is left of my brain! And here's me thinking no Australians would ever break the speed limit just like I don't (yer right?) Ride safe mate love to see more of your Beeza runs. Cheers Dave
I use hand signals out of habit from riding my British bikes which do not have turn signals I had a sheriff's officer pull me over because he did not know what I was doing. It's true I swear
Your bike is gorgeous and looks brand new. Wouldn't it be great if you could buy one of those brand new? And I don't mean a Royal Enfield interceptor while it may be a perfectly good motorcycle it doesn't have the soul of a real British motorcycle.
@@farric1 Sorry. It's nice see someone who actually rides instead of ooogles their machine. In the last 20 years or so there has been this trend in the states where they restore to the maximum and let them sit.
@@MyWillypillysorry! I'm a Brit who lives in Australia myself. In Australia, until quite recently, we did not favour 'trailer queens' over good running bikes and Sunday morning used to consist of about 15 - 20 classics out for a run. We rode them hard like in the video above! What I've noticed is that post the Covid lockdown era, most of the guys are turning up on modern bikes, myself included. I'm going to take the Norton down on Sunday now I think about it. Nice to talk😢.
I had aThunderbolt back in 72' and this brings back a lot of great memories. Thanks
Sounds lovely. Nothing like the sound of a Brit twin. What a sound!
You got the camera just right, well done. You've inspired me to dig out one of my Lightnings and take it for a good long, fast run. I usually just pootle along the Perth ,(West Australia) Coastal strip but these bikes are built to be run fast, not just posing
Good video that mint roads lovely bike sounds great 👍
Beautiful bike, nice sound with lots of character. In 1966 this was one of my dream bikes just like the Triumph Bonneville.
Properly quick even by today's standards. Love it, ride safe.
Worra treat! Ain’t seen those ‘D’ bars for 50+ years
I had a 69 Thunderbolt in black and chrome, lovely bike and sound, never let me down, wish I still had it. Lovely video, thank you.
@@alanmorgan9353 thanks Alan for your kind remarks. Maybe you might like to revisit that experience - they are not that expensive to pickup - probably less than the price of a new enfield bullet?
i had the same bile, wish i still had, thanks for the ride, great ~
I’ve just inherited one of these from my grandfather after he passed away just before Christmas. Was immaculate condition when he parked it up after his last ride out on it in 2010. It’s been in the garage ever since untouched so I will get round to pulling it out soon and recommissioning it in the summer I hope!
I guess you know what needs to be done.Good luck. It's a privilege to own such a legacy bike.
They feel quite agricultural compared to modern bikes but give it a while and you'll learn to love the sound and feel of it.
Thanks for sharing your story.
I can’t wait. Watching your ride out on yours really gets me excited to get out on mine! I’ve just checked it out today and it’s still in good condition. New tyres brakes and a good service and I think it will be up and running and ready for the sun!
@@tomeames2943 how is it?
Love her rumbling sound., Awesome.
I had a 1967 Lightning. I started on a Honda 90 that topped out at 55 mph then moved on to the Lightning, which was one of the fastest bikes on the road in 1967. I bought mine in 1978 and by then the big Japanese bikes had eclipsed it. But it was still plenty fast. Too much of a jump for me, I should have fit a Honda CB360 in between the 90 and the Lightning. I came over a crest to a blind corner with gravel all over the pavement. I grabbed the brakes hard but that drum up front was no disk and I was still going 30 when I hit the gravel. Glad I was wearing a helmet, gloves and a leather jacket. Still spent the night in a hospital to fix my right thumb. I sold the scratched up Lightning to a buddy for $500 and he restored her.
Sweet sounding engine, a good example. I have rebuilt a couple of Lightning’s in the day. Both had the sump plugs housing boss smashed by their owners I guess they were made for scrambling. But loverly machines and this is a great example.
My grandfather has the same bike, can't wait to ride it one day
Oh, you have done one beautiful job of restoring the engine! And the bike!
Thanks Susana. Do you also own a classic?
Takes me back ,.. Sounds very sweet ☆
Sounds golorious, nice work!
Love the set up with the bars, mirrors and levers. Really good to hear that exhaust note. I had an 82 Triumph Tiger Trail with a smooth engine you could hear and feel working under you. You didn't have to thrash it to enjoy it.
Glad you enjoyed it. I have a 70 Triumph Tiger 650...there is a very short clip of it on my channel. Thanks for watching and commenting.
Now that's how motorcycling felt years ago even in the uk, empty roads and without all this constant rain!. Grean run out thanks...
The speedo on mine used to do that too; it's the rotating magnet inside the clock skimming against the disc. There is an adjustment but you have to take the speedo apart. What I did on mine is to drill a small hole in the casing immediately beneath the adjustment screw so now all I have to do is to peel off a strip of tape and I can adjust away to my hearts content. Mine's a 67 too but looks more like a 68 and I love it.
I've since replaced the speedo with a reproduction version that performs a lot better.
Nice bike and that sound!!
I had a 650 Rocket Gold Star copy actually before the RGS made. A mechanic with vision made from A10 bottom with ? I think a export aluminium head with optional twin carbs. Rear set rests, Gold star cutaway brakes, rear sets, gaiters , twin clocks and clip ons bars. He even drilled engine mounts to reduce weight.
Great fun but Police always pulled me up ( to get ideas) as it had a red frame with a white tank with unicorns !! on it. Me with my Helmet with Viking wings at age 17.
Absolute fun, Birmingham Small Arms. just this Sunday took my wife for a ride on a 70 Tiger, I have a 72 Commando as well, it is fast. these English bikes have soul, the way they corner on twisty roads is amazing, the low down grunt yet let them rev they get a second wind, lastly the sound is music..
No arguments there Brian!
I also own a 70 Tiger and a72 Commando too! You must have impeccable taste as well!
Are you for real or having a joke, I'm not really impeccable at anything but lately I have been looking for a 68-70 A65,
You know your stuff Brian. I find Triumph and Norton twins a little over represented at rallies in the UK. The A65 is exotic enough to get attention and yet still has an excellent spares supply. I got a 68 and 70 Lightnings. They are needle roller converted. At 117 MPH Cycle World magazine pronounced the BSA A65 Spitfire the fastest 650 they had ever tested.
The A65 BSA is a great motorcycle, I have ridden many but for some reason have never actually owned one, this I plan to rectify while still able to enjoy riding, same as the triples, great fun also.. These England built bikes were a big part of my youth, I still love them.. thanks Alan for your reply.
I had a 69 Lightning. Great to hear that sound again. I did have to laugh at the bouncing speedo. Mine worked for a minute once. It just added character. My brother had a Thunderbolt which gave me quite a run for the money but I took him on the top end.
Now I know where you live. I had a 69 lightning with spitfire internals was the best bike I’ve ever had out of all British and American bikes I’ve owned and have to say was thee dumbest thing I’ve ever done in my life to sell it I’m falling into depression as I watch this. Am now sell our house to buy another yay I feel better now
I might put this one up for sale.
Always liked the A10 more myself but I liked the A65 except for the crankshaft oil feed system. Really nice video and enjoyable watch, the bike seemed to perform beautifully.
wasn't the A10 the same system?
@@alancox1444 A10 was fed down the crank shaft the A65 was not. There use to be companies that done the conversion to the A65 to make it centre fed.
Unit 500/650 crankshaft oil feed is exactly the same as the A7/A10
fue muy satisfactorio manejar virtual mente y recordatorio de la decada de los 70 un recorrido fascinante en esta moto muchas grass. lo felicito en muy buen estado de concervacion
Best looking bike on the market at that time.
My dad left me his 67 BSA A65 lightening. It needs major tlc I can't wait to restore it and ride it
do it mate, it will be frustrating at times and cost a few bucks but it will be worth it.
@@jammaster7614 yea I'm so looking forward to that I would like to get a garage situation I can work out first and I'd probably track progress on my channel. Thanks for the encouragement!
Thanks for the ride ! 👍😁
that was great really enjoyed watching it hope when my lightning is restored i have a smooth run like yours
They are OK but not as smooth as any modern bike though....they give you a visceral feel whilst still holding the road very well. I hope you enjoy your Lightning as much as I do mine!
What a bike!
Great lightening, I've got to myself one!
excellent bike sir
That beezer sounds so sweet boy you can ride
Thanks mate!
really enjoyed that, great
Always thought mine could do with another gear, and I feel the same watching you to.
I've since fitted a gearbox sprocket with an extra tooth...but somehow I miss the lower geared character!
miss my 64 t-bolt and being 19 years old
Martin Cvitkovich Buy another one if possible!
I have a 1960 something BSA Thunderbolt that the previous owners took the whole engine apart and I thought maybe there was something wrong with it I took the crankshaft to my Ducati buddy who races and has a race shop and he said Frank there is no where on the crankshaft at all. The 6000 original miles on the speedometer was correct. How could somebody take apart a perfectly running motorcycle and then let it sit in a box for 20 years. I ended up buying another Thunderbolt BSA motor to put in it. I like the single carburetor versions like the Thunderbolt and the tiger because it is much easier to deal with the one carburetor. I got the whole bike rolling chassis with the motor and a couple of milk crates plus the cost of the complete motor so I got the whole bike for $1,000 in nice shape for the Body Works those days are long gone.
Thanks for the ride!
I had one in black…rode to California in early 66…… had to ride like a maniac in order to report to the Marine Corp Parris island in September 66….
Great ride mate.. Nice one. 👌🤣👍
As time goes by these bikes look better, wish I kept my A65L.
This looks like somewhere near where I live in the Shire of Yarra Ranges, based on the bins you are passing. But the signage tells me you are in the western district somewhere.
That is one sorted motorcycle....
Thanks Paul!
Sounds gorgeous, my dad had one, but it sounds as flat as a fart when revved
Heck ya!
They are bringing back the BSA next year.
Altair Yes I believe that Mahindra own the name and are planning a new model.
Love the bike ! Question for all the BSA riders out there, is there any line up / model charts to show the different models ( showing the differences) say from 65 to 69 ???
Hello lovely video I’m seriously thinking of getting one what tyre are you running mate?
Sounds Sweet! I can't quite get mine to idle when warm. Think i need to play about with the slide position.
Still part of the fun is tinkering with them!
You need to adjust both throttle stop and pilot jets. Hopefully your carbs are standard.
Hi yes carbs are standard and are set up to original set up with new pilot jet. I do wonder if the float levels are wrong as i only have to touch the tickler and petrol squirts out. The plugs do soot up quickly and i wonder if that has something to do with the problems at idle? Thing is there is no adjustment on the float height so not sure how to cure that?
Mark Llewellyn Sounds like your carbs are on the rich side. Adjust float levels and airscrews...twin carbs or single?
Twin 1964 A65, Like yours but not running quite as well! I will have a go this weekend. Seen a few tips on adjusting the float level. As always finding time!
Here she is ua-cam.com/video/1RHDh6cMeAA/v-deo.html
What size pilot jet do you have installed?
I've never heard the tappets run so quietly! Most will have that high pitched aluminum sounding "ting". I've always thought it was the tappet gap, but now I look at the rocker and shaft for excessive play as a source for top end noise. Any tips on setting the gap? Do you use the specs from the manual?
You used to be able to get gadgets which would measure the *actual* gap, rather than a feeler gauge reading. Just don’t set em *too* tight, else you’ll burn your valves out!
Is this out the back of Geelong mate?and by the way awesome Beezer, I had a '63 A65 foolishly I sold it........😟😟😟
goes alright,dont it.
what type of handlebars are those and where can they be purchased??
All these riding vids should have a little box in the corner showing the speedo and rev counter, i'd love to know what you were doing on that fast bit? Camera angles destroy the sense of speed, like watching racing on tv. Beautiful looking and sounding bike I am sooooo jealous.
notwocdivad Unfortunately if I did that I could lose my license! A few other Australian riders on UA-cam have discovered that! Speed ranged from 70 to 95 mph on this run.
Craig's Classics You know that never entered what little is left of my brain! And here's me thinking no Australians would ever break the speed limit just like I don't (yer right?) Ride safe mate love to see more of your Beeza runs. Cheers Dave
I use hand signals out of habit from riding my British bikes which do not have turn signals I had a sheriff's officer pull me over because he did not know what I was doing. It's true I swear
Your bike is gorgeous and looks brand new. Wouldn't it be great if you could buy one of those brand new? And I don't mean a Royal Enfield interceptor while it may be a perfectly good motorcycle it doesn't have the soul of a real British motorcycle.
That's my bike.
Speedo was at Ludicrous Speed™ for a while there.
Typical Smiths - vague at best.
good run out can i ask you was that 250 honda G5 i saw right at the end of your film?
Those two bikes are a Honda VFR800 and a Kawasaki W800.
What is the ace bar model ? please
Smiths speedo then.
Forgot to add would not be as fast or smooth as your bike thanks for memories
Is it a parallel twin? It sounds like a Boxer.
It's a parallel twin.
I had a 1965 Lightning that I bought new. What a piece of junk! New pistons every 4000 miles! The only good thing is that bsa went out of business.
What kind of carburetors do you have? Amal?
I've been to the UK. I'd love to ride "Down Under."
Yes, twin Amals.
In the past, they've been serious leakers. Any improvements?
The BSA is quite good...the Triumph leaks a bit and the Norton less so!
Cool ride Mate. Cheers!
I think the BSA was better then Harley Davidson I had a Harley my brother had a BSA I like the BSA sound better
You’re driving on the wrong side of the road...! :-)
Wrong side of the road ya Darby
Are you such an idiot as to not know that we drive on the left in Australia?
Ya great big darby.
Apparently British people actually ride their Brit bikes. Hmm
I'm not sure what you mean? This is in Australia.
@@farric1 Sorry. It's nice see someone who actually rides instead of ooogles their machine. In the last 20 years or so there has been this trend in the states where they restore to the maximum and let them sit.
@@MyWillypillysorry! I'm a Brit who lives in Australia myself.
In Australia, until quite recently, we did not favour 'trailer queens' over good running bikes and Sunday morning used to consist of about 15 - 20 classics out for a run. We rode them hard like in the video above!
What I've noticed is that post the Covid lockdown era, most of the guys are turning up on modern bikes, myself included.
I'm going to take the Norton down on Sunday now I think about it.
Nice to talk😢.
@@farric1 I understand, about keeping things nice.
@@farric1 I'm glad. It's time people share again. :)
PING
A "proper" motorcycle!