Britbike forum Forums British Motorcycle specific Brands Bsa bulletin board turns out to be a 64 lightning rocket RUNS!!!!!

Tobias, the ribbed or finned rocker cover was introduced in 1967, so someone has fitted a later cover. The primary chaincase cover is also '67-on, as it has an inspection cover over the alternator rotor. Unless you're dedicated to 100% correctness, this is a good thing, as it allows you to time the engine with a strobe light on the rotor.

G'Day Tobias. Nice find I must say. Wish I could find a bike in a barn like it!
Your bike has a later finned rocker cover. Yours should be smooth.
Also primary cover is later. Yours should have an oval cover above the left footpeg with 2 inspection caps behind it and no other holes. The benefit of the cover you have is that you can you use a strobe to time the bike as there is a pin behind the large cover that will line up with a mark on your alternator rotor - that mark may well be there with that cover fitted but was not standard until '66 (I think) or you will have to put one on yourself. Timing on the earlier models without it is a bit of a nightmare.
Also seat is later model. Should be flat. Although personally I like the look of the humped seats.
Please do not view these comments as a criticism just an observation if you want to return it to original. For a rider though it doesn't matter
As Rich says many parts are quite specific to the Lightning Rockets esp. body parts. Which can be hard to find. Engine parts are not so bad.
If you plow through the pics of members bikes you will find shots of other L/R's. Good for reference.
I've got a feeling the L/R was a U.S. market only model whereas the home market got the Lightning. A few subtle differences but otherwise pretty similar.I'm sure Rich will correct me if I'm wrong
Good luck with the bike mate your going to have a lot of fun - just stick with it.

Tobias, click here for heaps of B.S.A. photo's.

http://s165.photobucket.com/albums/u51/MembersBikesBritBikeForum/BSA/

Mark sez:

"I've got a feeling the L/R was a U.S. market only model whereas the home market got the Lightning. A few subtle differences but otherwise pretty similar.I'm sure Rich will correct me if I'm wrong"

No, you are right. As far as I know, the L/R was introduced to the US market in 64. Small tank mostly, western bars, dual carbs, and lots of fender choices . Home market got the A65R (Rocket), which was a single carb variation of the Star Twin line. It would seem, as many L/R's are in Oz, the got some L/R's also.

I have never seen a true 1965 Lightning. They exist as far as S/N codes and a listed model. Would be very similar to a Cyclone, big tank, home market bars, etc. Major difference between an L/R and Lightning for 65 was CR gearbox, tank, bars, and compression ratio. Otherwise, the same bike.

Rich from what I have seen it would seem that the true lightnings were sold mostly in the home market and perhaps Oz as I have seen a few on U.K. E-Bay. All had gold 4 Gallon tanks, slim rear fender/mudguard, chrome headlight and low bars. Very similar to the Lightning clubman.
I have also seen a couple advertised here for sale, although I haven't seen any in the flesh.
The parts catalogue I have lists parts for the L/R but no mention of the true Lightning.

The parts list don't show anything for the Clubman either. They do list Cyclone, and the Clubman & Lightning seem closer to Cyclone spec.

I know they built a few Cyclone's to that spec, since someone on this board used to have one. And I have seen a few other Cyclone's. Since starting S/N for engine & frame is the same as for the Lightning Clubman, got a feeling BSA was a bit vague with the whole thing. I'd like to see a "true" 65 Lightning, but overall, the seat, bars, and pegs would be the only thing really different from my LC.

Well this is a very interesting thread, my1965 A65 has been confirmed by Burton Bike Bits as a Lightning Rocket BUT it has the slim mudguards and the gold 4 gallon tank AND it carries an original '65 U.K. registration , I'm in the proccess of stipping the tank and its gold all the way down to the chrome, I'm not going to restore it but do intend to put it together as a good high(ish) mileage bike to ride it to classic bike meets over here, wonder if the factory ever sold export bikes to U.K. customers if ordered directly from the factory? sorry to hi-jack your thread Tobias. Johnny.

I'd always thought that my parts catalogue must a U.S. market edition.
All very interesting.

Tobias...

I found your question on the other forum.
I prefer to answer here; reason not important.

Go to the RDW-site and find the search option.

http://www.rdw.nl/nl/voertuigeigenaar/

Search for [Mijn motor] and [invoeren].

When you talk to them do not give info they do not ask for (the 64 / 65 matter). Just tell them you bought a classic in the USA, and let them ask their own questions.

How long will the bike be on transport?

Hi Ger,
Thankx for answering my question, it seems pretty easy to get a license for it here in the netherlands because I have a title with it.. I guess The RDW site is not very clear..
It will take a pretty long time before the bike will get shipped, couple of months.
I just found out another thing, untill i'm 20 I'm only allowed to drive a motorcycle with less than 25 kw = 34 hp. damn dutch goverment
Maybe there is a way to get around this law, because my bike is an oldtimer (and the "kentekenregistratie" does not show the power of the engine..)

Cheers,
Tobias

Johnny sez:

"my 1965 A65 has been confirmed by Burton Bike Bits as a Lightning Rocket BUT it has the slim mudguards and the gold 4 gallon tank AND it carries an original '65 U.K. registration"

Regardless of the sheetmetal and paint it carries, Burton's may have gone strictly by the engine #'s. A65D is Lightning Rocket, A65DC is Lightning. A dating certificate would confirm.

Hi Rich B I agree , as I only can find an engine number, it's A65D, that's what I quoted to BBB's, the problem is getting the registration document which should give the frame number , as I can't identify it as yet, the frame has what appears to be the pressed steel loop at the bottom of the L/H side of the steering stem but that is the only clue as to what might be the year of the frame, 65 reg none withstanding. Johnny.

so, list of parts i will be looking for the next couple of months:
-rocker cover without fins
-fuel lines
-air filters
-left side red cover (the same as for a lightning?)
-speedo and tach (also the same as other bsa models?)
-mounting bracket for speedo and tach
and probably a lot of other stuff when I will be able to take the bike apart.

is it hard to get a working speedo and tach? what do the original meters look like? I guess they will be either smiths or Lucas right? and is there a difference between american meters and uk meters? (miles?!)

Is there a particular parts book for the lightning rocket or should I just get one that covers the main models (http://link.marktplaats.nl/227134625 like this one for instance)?

yes yes I know lots of questions haha

Tobias sez:

"Is there a particular parts book for the lightning rocket or should I just get one that covers the main models"

You need BSA P/N 00-5118. It covers the 64/65 dual carb models (and for whatever reason, the Thunderbolt Rocket which is more like a Rocket ).

The instruments were Smiths. There seems to have been both chronometric & magnetic used. Pictures of early 64 bikes do show chronometric. Most seem to have been magnetic though. The mounting plate for the L/R is unique to 64/65 but is similar to later brackets. The correct L/R instrument mounting bracket has a hole in it for the fork lock to extend through.

Watch fleaBay, a lot of the odds & ends you list show up on fleaBay in the States fairly regular.

Tobias; De Groot, a web shop here sells part books for your bike.
Exploded view drawing with original part numbers.

Both De Groot and Peter in Berkel carry parts, and there are two or three more here.

YES! It arrived safely in the havens of Rotterdam today!
Tomorrow is my birthday, so with a bit of luck (fast customs) I could have a Bsa motorbike as a present.


at the shipper, with my mom and sister

You'll need muffers to get rid of those stupid p-shooters.

actually they are cocktail shakers

hi guys!

after a week of chrome polishing, the beast turned into a beauty!





original paint and shiny rims







the engine is still stuck, I poor some wd40 in the cilinders every morning before i go to school.

Looks great,woo shiny,the alloy will shine too if you use good metal polish. Try diesel instead of WD 40.
You will need some imperial BSW/BSF spanners and a manual before you get much further.
Anyone got some spare tank badges , side cover and fork gaitors for this laddy?.
Cheers
Pod

Wow didn't that come up a treat.
Looks like you also need a pair of front mudgaurd/fender centre brackets. They bolt to the fork sliders and stop the guard from moving back and forth.
Good luck and keep posting.

chek!
bsa?! found em in england.

took off the cover today, looks pretty excellent.
Tomorrow I'll be able to take a proper look at what the pistons and cilinders look like.

So now you have to start, hey?
With the help available on this forum, and parts available at the different suppliers here, I'm sure you will make it, Tobias.
Good luck.

Oh... how did customs treat you in port?

It's nice to see a young man with good taste in motorcycles and music. All the hard work and money will all seem well worth it the fist time you fire the old girl up.

Did you try turning the engine with a 1" AF socket on the crankshaft?