No other bike sounds as good as a BSA twin. What a beautiful exhaust note. I have a friend in SE Ohio who owns 47 motorcycles, mostly old BSA's and Triumphs. The first time I was there to see his collection I asked if he had a mop handy. He said yes, but why. I told him when I get done looking there might be quite a bit of drool on his floor. Ride safe and enjoy every journey.
bloody lovely looking bike ,sounds great too its nice to see these bikes are still loved in America, I've just got my 59 a10 on the road in UK love every minute of riding her great video 👍
My pop had a 66 just like this but painted the red tin a metal flake black an put higher bars on it. Had taken the baffles out of the mufflers and used to get noise violation tickets here in northeast Ohio all the time.🤣
My Dad had a 650 gold star when I was young .with a sports side car .Great memories.. he took me everywhere on it .He's 78years now .would love to put one in front of him .It would make his Day
You are very lucky to have found this. I don't know how old you are, I am 66, and this takes me back to 1966 when I bought a 1965 650 Thunderbolt. Those old beezers had a sound all their own. Between that BSA and the girl I dated then, WOW! Sadly the Army intervened and I was drafted.
Beautiful Beezer! I am green with envy. I had a 1966 Lightning in 1967 and a 1971 Lightning in 1980. Of the 10 bikes I owned, the BSAs were my favourites. I love the looks, sound, torque and feel of these classic motorcycles. I preferred them to the Triumph Bonnevilles with their noisy tappets. As you mentioned, the 1966 Lightnings did have a fuller rear fender than the 1967 models. Another spotting feature of the 1966 Lightning is the unfinned valve cover. The 1967 Lightnings had finned valve covers. The brochure I have shows the 1967 Lightning and Spitfire with chrome headlight brackets as well, but I don't think they did have them. Thanks for posting this video. The bike looks and sounds great! Paul Norton Ottawa, Ontario, Canada BTW: After attending a vintage bike rally last fall, I will ride again this spring after a 25 year absence from motorcycling.
Gotta tell one on my self... the wind got to whipping my boot laces, that they'd become looped around the shifter of my '68 Trophy Sports. After the panic had settled down to sheer laughter... i mananged to stop, by resting on my left foot, to the ground in order to untangle the right boot string. For 3 years in the Paratroopers i'd always kept them boot laces tucked in & somehow the habit had slipped, but it ain't slipped since. Ain't findin' any fault with loose laced riders... only care for their safety. Ride 'em don't Hide 'em. Giddy Up! 81318
I adjusted the clutch cable a few seconds after shooting this video and found nuetral a lot easier. Needs fork boots and fork oil checked the suspension is too soft.
Nice overall condition but noticed the front rubber gaiters are split at the bottom, better changed asap to keep the dust out of the fork seals. Ride Her Safe. Dave UK
If you ever get the chance read Burt Hopwoods book what ever happend to the British motorcycle industry. Burt fought for over 30 years to save the industry he worked for all the big firms
I have a 1970 Lighting but everything about it screams 1967. I heard BSA had some 67 dealer take backs they sent out as 70 models. Anyone know anything?
BSA NORTON, I haven't been on the rat-net for a couple years after selling my 59 650Triumph. Now you got my blood warmin up again. My BSA's were a 64 in 1960-70s and a 66 in 1988. My rat name is Red1959, I may be returning
No other bike sounds as good as a BSA twin. What a beautiful exhaust note. I have a friend in SE Ohio who owns 47 motorcycles, mostly old BSA's and Triumphs. The first time I was there to see his collection I asked if he had a mop handy. He said yes, but why. I told him when I get done looking there might be quite a bit of drool on his floor. Ride safe and enjoy every journey.
Great bike. My daily ride in the early 70’s was a 1967 Thunderbolt A65 ex Police bike. A memories!
bloody lovely looking bike ,sounds great too its nice to see these bikes are still loved in America, I've just got my 59 a10 on the road in UK love every minute of riding her great video 👍
My pop had a 66 just like this but painted the red tin a metal flake black an put higher bars on it. Had taken the baffles out of the mufflers and used to get noise violation tickets here in northeast Ohio all the time.🤣
That was a nice find. These type of bikes are becoming very rare, especially here in England. Sounds fantastic!
My Dad had a 650 gold star when I was young .with a sports side car .Great memories.. he took me everywhere on it .He's 78years now .would love to put one in front of him .It would make his Day
You are very lucky to have found this. I don't know how old you are, I am 66, and this takes me back to 1966 when I bought a 1965 650 Thunderbolt. Those old beezers had a sound all their own. Between that BSA and the girl I dated then, WOW! Sadly the Army intervened and I was drafted.
Gem of a bike. Thx for posting. Which I still had my 68 Matchless G15. 🇨🇦
Beautiful Beezer! I am green with envy. I had a 1966 Lightning in 1967 and a 1971 Lightning in 1980. Of the 10 bikes I owned, the BSAs were my favourites. I love the looks, sound, torque and feel of these classic motorcycles. I preferred them to the Triumph Bonnevilles with their noisy tappets.
As you mentioned, the 1966 Lightnings did have a fuller rear fender than the 1967 models. Another spotting feature of the 1966 Lightning is the unfinned valve cover. The 1967 Lightnings had finned valve covers. The brochure I have shows the 1967 Lightning and Spitfire with chrome headlight brackets as well, but I don't think they did have them.
Thanks for posting this video. The bike looks and sounds great!
Paul Norton
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
BTW: After attending a vintage bike rally last fall, I will ride again this spring after a 25 year absence from motorcycling.
Gotta love those chrome tank panels & everything else.
Looks great, sounds amazing!. Lucky to find one that good!. Nuff said!. 😀
bsa 650 may relaunch in india..
by classic legends who manages jawa and yezdi
❤️ from kerala,🇮🇳
Gotta tell one on my self... the wind got to whipping my boot laces, that they'd become looped around the shifter of my '68 Trophy Sports. After the panic had settled down to sheer laughter... i mananged to stop, by resting on my left foot, to the ground in order to untangle the right boot string. For 3 years in the Paratroopers i'd always kept them boot laces tucked in & somehow the habit had slipped, but it ain't slipped since. Ain't findin' any fault with loose laced riders... only care for their safety. Ride 'em don't Hide 'em. Giddy Up! 81318
Just worked on one today. In my opinion the best sounding BSA out there
I adjusted the clutch cable a few seconds after shooting this video and found nuetral a lot easier. Needs fork boots and fork oil checked the suspension is too soft.
vonderful... I got one when I was 23...long time ago :-)
+Tommy E
sure, ya did
Seems like it was extremely well kept bike for years. Lucky you. Thanks for video.
So beautiful ! Thanks For Sharing !!!
It is gorgeous, Sir. U r a fortunate fellow. Peace.
The gas tank, side cover badges, rocker box, rear fender and chain guard all say 66.
I have a 1967 and by the look of your decals on the side covers you are right 1966 or earlier.
Beautiful! BSA SPITFIRE 650 IS THE BIKE I DESIRE.
Very nice,ticks over nice and sounds good on the throttle.....:):):)
Very nice looking bike, great video also.
Good job Rich, glad the bike has a good new home
Very very nice indeed....
Great looking Beezer, brother!
Nice overall condition but noticed the front rubber gaiters are split at the bottom, better changed asap to keep the dust out of the fork seals. Ride Her Safe. Dave UK
Nice loosing and sounding original bsa
Beautiful bike!!
When God forsook BSA he forsook humanity - PLEASE UK bring back an absolute icon
I think you're right...1966.
what a bike !!!
Love that sound almost Harleyesque.
Can't easily do exact timing w/o ability to strobe time it. Start looking for a later model primary cover with strobe timing cover.
good sound
If you ever get the chance read Burt Hopwoods book what ever happend to the British motorcycle industry. Burt fought for over 30 years to save the industry he worked for all the big firms
Nice bike! - I have a 68 a65 thunderbolt.. just wondering if you know any usable solutions for a new side stand. mine drags on the road A LOT..
I have a 1970 Lighting but everything about it screams 1967. I heard BSA had some 67 dealer take backs they sent out as 70 models. Anyone know anything?
sweet
Very nice.
BSA NORTON, I haven't been on the rat-net for a couple years after selling my 59 650Triumph. Now you got my blood warmin up again. My BSA's were a 64 in 1960-70s and a 66 in 1988. My rat name is Red1959, I may be returning
Where the whole idea of the aircraft wing came from.
Could you explain the "Aircraft Wing" allusion/BSA.Just curious Sheila.
Dem muffs
very nice bike. just do the devimead timing side crank conversion and it might even be almost reliable
I love bonnys but I cant see how the bonny fetch twice as mutch as this bsa or my csr machy for that matter must by the name
I am so jalous. My heart melts seing this bike. I ones had a A50. Much problems with the big ends. (sludge)
How much did that bike cost new in 1967 I friend of mine had that same bike he bought brand new
I think my Thunderbolt cost $1,200 in 1967.
Beatyfull motor boke frens
nice, but wear a helmet!
Sounds like a two stroke at the start
My Parisian ride, mon amour:
i.imgur.com/YP1XvEN.jpg