Nova Motorcycles 1968 BSA A65 Lightning

We're back from the West Coast and it seems fitting to lay eyes on this groovy BSA with a custom old-school hand painted tank and side covers. Sayre dives into the history and mechanics of this twin Brit-pop star.

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[markalton]

We, (my two brothers an I), have a 1967 BSA Spitfire MkIII.
A repatriated West coast desert sled, de-lugged and modified.
I'm really looking forward to the project.

[davidetchellsetchells]

Love BSAs! Super cool, and in many ways over the top styling but simple and compact design. You can tell a lot of thought went into them. A timeless classic and the sound is pretty awesome!

[robertbruce]

Great video, this chap was quite informative about the history surrounding this motorcycle.

[AndyCarroll-zo]

My father was with BSA at the end, and he maintained that the British motorcycle empire died because of two words: Good Enough.

[rross]

The bike in my profile pic is a 1967 Thunderbolt taken about 1972. Ex police bike, it blew up in the Australian bush. Piston broke :( Rebuilt with Triumph pistons. Higher compression, ported the head, Norton Commando pipes . It went very well. Just wish I’d kept it. Now I do love my Triumph Speed Twin 1200, but I’d love to jump on and old Beesa again one day!

[TheFlowNetwork]

My Dad was one of those AMA "privateers". He raced BSAs and Triumphs all over New England and Canada in the late 50's and 60s. I have a picture of him from 61 or 62 with a BSA Scrambler that the factory sent him.

[bobconnery]

Had a 68 BSA A65 back in the day love it

[matthewjames]

Picked up a 1970 BSA royalstar with an A65L lightning motor.

[johncranwell]

I had the 650 thunderbolt, 1969 by far probably one of the best twins…. it ran so sweetly until the beginning the oil crank, bearing started to disintegrate…. So at a time there was a company called Davimead who used to make a conversion for the bronze oil bearing so it was converted into needle roller crank, bearing with oil end feed into the crank, I also fitted the it cylinders…. this was an incredible change for the bike because it ran so much smoother and was built proof…. I did a lot of miles on that bike and it never let me down. I went on to buy an early 800 BMW their first 800 which was an R80/7…. When I got divorced, I had to sell A65 to pay for the lawyers, which I regretted….. it went to Copenhagen, never heard about its progress since.

[nigelcox]

Nice video, interesting and well shot - thanks.

[jimbowie]

Certainly seems to know what he's talking about!

[geraldscott]

I have a red/chrome 1964 A65 BSA Star, which has the unit construction engine. It is certainly not the best looking BSA, I don't really like the fenders (they look a lot like Royal Enfield Bullet fenders to me) or side covers, but compared to a modern flat black bike it is beautiful. I have to admit I prefer long stroke motors better. I like the torque, but also the sound and feel. Pushrod motors ARE the good stuff. OHC motors have no character and no soul.

[GarySmythe]

I had a 1970 Lightning and wish I still had it. Nice looking bike but like the looks of my 1970 Bonneville better!

[ljgarage]

Amazing....I have the same bike.yust great 😊

[markmathews]

they went well when they weren't falling apart, vibration was a killer, the prettiest bike ever made imho, you can upgrade them, upgrade steel rods & end fed 270 deg crank & you can get nickasil alloy barrels, they are quite good apparently, I am thinking about revisiting the A65

[maxdelavega]

Thanks that's real useful information ℹ️ I now own a 1967 BSA A65L, please the name of the book!? 🍻

[daveco]

Someone had fun painting flowers on that bike. : ) Maybe I misunderstood what you said, but I'm pretty sure the first 4 years of the Bonneville (1959 - 62) had separate engine and transmission. In 1963 they switched to the Unit construction on the Bonneville and TR6. Seems like you're a Norton guy. : ) When it comes to the British twins go, is there one brand you prefer working on over another? I currently have 1964 Triumph TR6, which I love. It's my first vintage British bike, so I don't have much to compare it to. You're right about those pushrod tubes though...they tend to weep a little.

[Katie-no]

I have a 1967 BSA A65 THUNDERBOLT with ELECTRONIC IGNITION. Which is the best BATTERY Type that fits? Is it 9AH or 12AH?

[Katie-no]

How much compression must have a 1967 bsa thunderbolt 650 cc?