| Author | Message | ||
     Jerseyguy |
A BSA Ligntning that is! It took me about a year and a half but It's finally done. The goal was to reproduce a period cafe' racer. The current crop of sport bikes have there early roots in customs like this one. The project started out as a 1965 BSA 650 Lightning in about 10 boxes and a bare frame. Every single nut, bolt and part was disassembled, scrutinized, cleaned, powder coated, painted or plated. An all electronic ignition and charging system was added. Engine bored first over. Rearsets designed and made by me. Too many custom fabbed parts to list. Riding it is like going back in time. It's not easy though. Shifting is gp style and on the right side. I really have to think about what I'm doing when riding. It handles very well. I've had it up to 85 or so and its very stable. Corners like a dream except when it drags the side stand.          | ||
| Wolf102 |
beautiful very beautiful | ||
| Drummer |
Gorgeous, absolutely gorgeous. Steve | ||
| Gentleman_jon |
Steve, fabulous restortation!! I can 't remember seeing a nicer one back in the day. It looks so well put together, it might even start on a rainy day, something that certainly could not be said of the original, not that anyone would take a beauty like that out in the rain.  A major contribution to motorcycling history, and a heartwarming reminder of the days of iron men and English iron, when first we tasted the joys of two wheeled freedom! Simply splendid! PS: The astute observer will perhaps note the clubman's handlebars on Steve's Beezer and the similar bars on Lil' Blackie which are an purposeful allusion to this period in motorcycling during which the foundations for todays sport bikes were laid down. (Message edited by gentleman_jon on April 09, 2008) | ||
| Aeholton |
Awesome! You should be very proud. Great accomplishment. Congratulations! | ||
| Stealthxb |
Well done Jerseyguy! | ||
| Mikej |
Very nice. And I hope you do get to ride it in the rain at least once to be entirely period correct.  | ||
| Road_thing |
Nice job, Jersey! Just beautiful! Mikej: to be "entirely period correct" he'll need to blow out the headlight bulb and ride it in the dark! rt | ||
| Court |
Steve: That is awesome and what great memories it brings back. . . I still can't shake my BSA soft spot! I was cruising Manhatttan the other day . . . saw a "Royal Enfield". Stopped and was taking photos when I noticed the disc brakes and all the "new" stuff. I looked at the VIN plate. .. ROYAL ENFIELD - Madras, India. What a shame . . .the BSA is true nostalgia. | ||
| Igneroid |
BSA 650 = most beautiful engine ever | ||
| Teeps |
Great job, even shifts and brakes on the correct sides as God intended... What a contrast between the two bikes. | ||
| Freezerburn |
I was wondering when you were going to get that put together. I remembering asking you about that when you posted a pic that showed the engine on the workbench. Looks beautiful. Those twin amals look purdy sit'n like that. | ||
| Jerseyguy |
I have to chuckle a bit when I see whining about things like tingling in the bars due to vibration or electrical systems that don't handle heated grips...... Those of us who grew up nursing these bikes can really appreciate how much better today's bikes are. No pushing a button to start 'er up. It's hold down the ticklers 'till the gas dribbles out of the carbs onto the engine and then a mighty kick or two to light it up. Then stay on the throttle so it won't stall before it warms up. | ||
| Nevrenuf |
nice job, that's what it's all about years ago. hence the reason for the buell now. | ||
| Reepicheep |
Love the bars and instrument cluster setup... Beautiful! | ||
| Skinstains |
Are those gray faced Smiths ? I have a 63 Atlas on a Slimline Featherbed that is getting cafe'd. Admittedly a lot slower than I would like. I also have a 65 triumph 500 chop (with points) that will start on the first kick every time. For a $20.00 wager I'll show anyone who doubts it. Three cheers for the British Steel. (Message edited by skinstains on April 09, 2008) | ||
| Firebolteric_ma |
Wicked Kool!!!! I want one of them now!  | ||
| Sleez |
great job!! | ||
| G234146 |
Classy!  | ||
| S1eric |
Jersey Thats a sweet bike. I love the cafe look. S1Eric | ||
| Peeping_jon |
BEAUTIFUL. Love it. My older brother had a 500 Trophy & a 650 Lightning. I would love to drive one.[not that perfect would be afraid i might scratch] I was only old enough to ride on the back or sit on & pretend when my brother was not around. Jon | ||
| Bill0351 |
That is one beautiful bike. I need to get a picture of your two bikes and Aaomy's Sportster chop together. HD on the left, Buell center, and BSA on the right. It would be sort of a "roots of the family tree," sort of thing. It would be a killer poster or page in the Buell calendar. Congratulations on a job well done. Bill | ||
| Jerseyguy |
Here's how it looked in the 70's. Photo from the last owner.  | ||
| Jerseyguy |
Skinstains - those are the original Smiths. I rebuilt them. | ||
| Buellgator |
Very nice Steve  !!! | ||
| Crusty |
The first motorcycle I ever owned was a '68 BSA Lightning. It taught me that, contrary to public belief, BSA does NOT stand for Birmingham Small Arms. BSA really stands for Bastard Stopped Again. When it ran right, it was a really sweet ride; however, you could use a stopwatch to time how long it ran well. I bought it in October of '69, and traded it for a '65 Ford Mustang that needed a valve job in May of '70. In the time I owned it, the entire engine had to be rebuilt, and I managed to log 700 miles. Good luck with yours. | ||
| Jerseyguy |
Crusty - I'm hoping the modern ignition and charging systems will eliminate most of the problems. I also switched it from 6 volt to 12 volt and replaced the stator with a fresh one. Its running really rich right now and I need to work on getting the jetting right. | ||
| Bcordb3 |
I would get a thrill tickling the BSA's Amals! Sounds sick but I would. I am surprised that you replaced the Lucas electrics, they were so dependable. The clubman bars are the right touch for that classic look. What fairing is that? What seat did you use? Isn't it fun jumping off one, right shifting, to the other, left shifting. Yes, I am jealous, to paraphrase someone "I want one and I want one now!" Just noticed the exhaust system, great! Is that your design? Great looking bike, nice job. (Message edited by BCordb3 on April 12, 2008) | ||
| Jerseyguy |
Bcordb3 - Many of the clubman style parts came from British Cycle Supply headquartered in Nova Scotia, CA with a branch in New Jersey. The siamese pipes came from them. There's stuff off of eBay too with some from BSA enthusiasts in England. I studied many period photos and tried to replicate the look and feel of the clubman bikes of that day. They often had a larger tank which I'm still looking for. I've got to change the shift mechanism too. I've a huge bruise on my ankle from where the kick start lever digs in when I upshift. I've got it figured out & I just have to fab up the parts. Riding it is such a blast. I feel like I'm on the Isle Of Man in the 60s. |
