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

Hi guys,

My father is on vacation in the usa right now, searching for lost jaguars. While inspecting an etype he found a bsa 1970 lightning standing behind it. I do not know the exact shape the bike is in, but it seems pretty complete except for the rpm meters and the airfilter cover on the left. The engine seems to be stuck, but we don't know for sure cause we couldn't get it out, it was covered with cardboard boxes and stuff. I'll try to get more information. the guy wants 500 dollars for the bike, but shipping it to the netherlands will bring the price up to about 1400 euro's
Whats the worth of a bike like this? there is probably no rust on it, cause arizone is so dry.

thanks,
Tobias from the netherlands

International shipping costs are usually more than the cost of a non-running bike, unfortunately

If your father is shipping Jags from the US to the Netherlands, couldn't you just squeeze the Lightning in there as well? My experience has been that the crating and fixed costs at my end are more than the actual sea freight, and shipping within the USA can can be expensive as well.

Tobias, there are not many bikes on sale in Holland at the moment, but I do not think the shipping cost will make it profitable to send a 500 USD basket case over. But you may be lucky and have a running bike for 1400 USD. Parts and spares will not be a problem here. A good looking, good running 1970 Lightning will sell here for between 2500 and 3000 Euro's.
Check Marktplaats, or the sales ads on www.motorfietsweb.nl

Succes.

I'd have to agree with the consensus so far, there's no way a Lightning with a locked-up motor is worth 1400 of anyone's Euros. Not even 1400 dollars.

For five hundred dollars, I'd drive two hundred miles and pick the bike up. But triple that adding shipping? No way.

If it could be shoved in beside a Jag for no extra money that might be OK.

Coming from Europe to the US, the customs and tax are minimal. I know that going from the US to England, the customs and VAT are horrendous, don't know what they might be coming to you ....

Lannis

Hi guys,

I just bought it! My father and i will take the front suspension and rear triangle off the motorcycle, then we will try to fit it in a jag (hopefully this will bring the shipping costs down to zero). We managed to arrange an ''alabama'' title, which makes sure there will be no problem with customs, and rdw.

I think the bike looks suprisingly good for it's age, just a lot of dust.
How long does a restoration take? i'll still have 2 more years untill I'm allowed to drive a motorcycle (yes im 16 years old)
at least i just finished my zundapp!

Maybe something from your youth ger?

Very nice zundapp young fella. I restored a 70 bsa t-bolt...That bsa is worth whatever you want to put into it.And what exactly you want it to be like when its done, now if you want it to be as nice as the , zundap. you can figure safely a good some more on each bike you decide to re-do.

I paid 375.00 for a basket case, with a chopper front end on it,but good sheet metal, engine, trans,All chrome and rubber and wheels were more money When i got done, i estimated to low..and no matter what they tell you, everybody does this.
It came out ready for a show and an award. but $4000.00 more invested.

I like nice stuff, no junk for me.so you might get it done cheaper.Do to your taste when its done. hth

Haha, no... I did not have Zundapp money in the nineteen sixties, Tobias. I had something with a Sachs engine in those day's.
Congratulations with your purchase.
Wise decission (spelling?) to ship it inside a Jaguar.

Parts and spares will not be a problem here. There are several reliable parts suppliers in this country, and several people who know about these bikes. And if they do not know they ask on Britbike.

Enjoy it! :bigt

BUY IT BOY if you like it, the heck with everybody else. YOU will find everything you need on here , i did, but also had an ACE up my sleeve for parts.When my dad said no, to whatever, it made me want that item more,When he died on his death bed, he toldm ; Robert he sez:. thats me if you weren't listening, The first new bike he "bought" for me, and all these years he said; son you have worked miracles with all the vehicles you dragged home.Dads usually think you are bananas as you pull in the driveway with nothin but parts ...wassup GER..

You are WELL on your way, I must say. When I was 16, I had a 60cc Benelli that looked very much like that Zundapp of yours, although I bought mine almost new and didn't have to do any restoration. (I had a job as evening janitor at my high school - swabbing locker rooms, waxing hall floors, cleaning toilets, and washing blackboards wasn't very glamorous, but by gosh I had my own money, and a bike!!).

That Lightning is going to be a lot of fun, I can tell now!

Lannis

Tobias,

What are the engine and frame numbers, or at least the prefixes?
The tank and front end look much more like 1965 Lightning Rocket than 1970 Lightning. Likewise the Monobloc carbs.

That is a *much* rarer bike outside the US, so I think you have an excellent buy there - especially if you can ship it effectively for free.

As for shipping, you might need to go a little further than you have proposed.
Remove the front forks. It probably best to take the wheel out of the forks as well.
Take the fuel tank off, wrap it in bubble wrap and put it in a strong cardboard box. It would be a shame to dent or scratch it in transit
Take the rear mudguard off and remove the rear wheel.

The bike will then fit in the Jag easily.

Good luck with it. It looks like a great machine. If it was mine I wouldn't do a cosmetic restoration, just give detail it and source the missing cycle parts. You should rebuild the engine, though.

Tobias:
well done on your purchase. Its great to see young guys taking an intrest. You may find that it is a bit earlier than a 70 though. A few of the things that are pre 70 are half width front brake, headlight shell, tank , enclosed rear suspension, monoblock carb. I would guess that it could be 65-67?. You would need to go off the frame numbers for accurate date

BUT if you have it registered (or what ever the paper work is called in that part of the world) as a 70 DONT whatever you do sturr up a hornets nest with the narrow minded revenue gathering authorities by telling them it is an eariler model than the paper work says. That could complicate the import/export process BIG TIME.

Get the paperwork through as a 70 and know what you have....what do others think about this point??


It could turn out to be a 70 frame with older stuff bolted on who knows.

Good luck

Hi Tobias, I agree with Shane in Oz, that looks like a 1965 Lightning Rocket, ( ask me how I know) It also looks like it has 6 volt electrics which is entirely possible for that year, have fun putting it back together . Johnny.

The engine is '67-on, and '67 was the last year of the Monobloc carbs, so I'm guessing '67 for the engine. Yes, the fuel tank and headlamp are older than that. Can't see the rear wheel very well, but the chainguard and clutch cable routing are also pre-1970, and there is no crossover or cross-brace on the header pipes (pre-1967). Numbers WOULD be interesting...

Tobias, If you make that bike look as good as your Zundapp then you cant go wrong. That will be a sweet bike when you are done with it.
Keep us posted with photos of your progress!
Wade

Ok guys,
Im gonna try putting as much information in this post as I can find.
Engine nr. A65 D 92*
Frame nr. A50 B 15**
i don't know wether it's necessary to hide some of the frames numbers..

extra pic's:





unfortunately the title has already been requested, so i can not change anything about that
I'm very curious what kind of bsa it turns out to be!

A65D engine is possibly a 65 Lightning rocket, they had A50 B frame numbers.
A later 67 on finned cover , you have.
Should have twin clocks, speedo and tach.
Cool bike,should clean up well.

Tobias sez:

"Engine nr. A65 D 92*
Frame nr. A50 B 15**"

I would read it as a 64 L/R engine. 65 LR engines started @ S/N A65D1742, the frame is a 64 also, as 65 frames started A50B4001.

Nice find, early L/R's are not that common. And they can drive you nuts on some of the bits as BSA made a lot of changes during the short lifespan of the L/R.

Rich, to ease my conscience, as I told him part are plentyfull...
What parts are hard to find for LR's of that era?

Ger,

Without consulting the parts book, I am going to rely on memory...which is a scary thought in itself .

The 64/65 L/R's used at least 2 different frame P/N's, 3 or 4 different rear mudguards, 2 different tanks, 2 different rear number plate/tailight fairings, at least 2 if not 3 different side covers, and a whole host of brackets, hardware etc to match all of the above combinations. I am not even sure the parts books document all the variations with any accuracy.

Add the forks use different length stanchions than any other heavyweight BSA, different fork crowns, etc, the early A65's are a minefield for parts availability. You can find stuff, you can find stuff that will work, but you may not end up with a bike that is accurate to how it left Small Heath.

Don't take my comments as being negative, I find this vintage BSA unit twin far more fascinating than the later bikes which had become one basic specification bike with some bits changed to suit a different "model" ( I think I angered a few last week with my comment about "tarted up Lightning's") .

By comparison, the 64/65 dual carb bikes are far more varied and far more difficult to figure out. And then add the single carb bikes based upon the original release Star Twins (but not the T/R's, which are included with the dual carb bikes) and you have another major set of bits to sort out.

I just hope Tobias sticks with this project and builds a nice representation of an L/R. I have become a fan of the L/R's, Spitfire Hornets, Cyclones, LC's, and 65 Lightnings from that era and enjoy seeing any of those models on the road again.

You are not that old, Rich... :bigt


I don't. I was just worried about my credebility after I said parts were available. They are, but probably not accurate enough to build a accurate showroom model. Still the early A65's, as this one deserves to ride again, even if it's not 100% exact.
The taillight and grab rail on my BSA are Triumph but I do not tell anybody and nobody has ever noticed... HUSHSHSHS




Tobias if you happen to read this:

I've got a book by Mathew Vale, titled: BSA Unit Construction Twins The Complete Story.

This book contains many photo's explaining differences between the different model years. It's still sold here or if you are in the neigbourhood come and have look (as I'm not allowed to say come and make copies).

Hi guys,

Thanks so much for all the information! so wow.. it isnt a 70 lightning but a 64/65 lightning rocket! I've found some pictures of a 65 l/r and they do look pretty much alike! one difference, the cilinder head on my bike seems to be ''ribbed''(is that the right word?excuse my english :whistle) instead of slick like the one on the picture. Are lightning rockets rare or something?
For the parts, they are not my main concern, every year my father visits boulieu (or something like that) which is one of the biggest swap meetings in england for everything that is english. I would enjoy going with him (as I always do concerning petrol head things). I just can't wait to take that whole bike apart and see how it comes out after a thorough cleansing.
I'll need to get some books i guess, with information how to restore these twin carb monsters. Is there a haynes manual for bsa?
Ger, I live very close to eindhoven where do you live? is there a dutch bsa owners club?

cheers!

I'm in Berkel just above Rotterdam. There is an owners club. I'm not a member though. I'm not a person to be a member of a club, with all respect for those who are.

Ger........ i won't dwell on this but a minute. I started a kar club 35 years ago, and its still going strong, i wanted to quit the club.so they made me an honarary member, no dues, no attending meetings, i jus can't seem top get out of this club stuff. back to things at hand!!

My wifes fault

It's something inside myself, Bob. I do not feel at ease in groups larger than six or seven people and in a public place like a bar or a restaurant I like to sit as close as possible to the door. Some may now say: you teached... Yes, but when I teached I was in front of the group. Not in it. Maybe shrinks have a name for it, but I'm fine with it so I don't care.
But I know allready I'll mis the Dutch BSA rally and that's something I do regret, as many BritBikers will atend.

Have a nice evening Bob.

Ahhhh yes Tobias. You will be the "Cat's Meow". You have a couple of choices. Complete restoration will probably go around $4000 US. Make it a nice original runner for about $1500 US if you can take it apart and rebuild it yourself. I would go for the nice runner, but it is up to you, your talents, and money. It looks like a 67 to me. Finned rocker cover was 67, but Monobloc carbs were last on 66 models. However, there were lots of early in year and end of year bikes where parts for the previous or succeeding years were used. No way to be sure. But you have got yourself an A65 Lightning and your gonna have to fight the girls off.

Mr Mike

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?

Before you ditch the cocktail shakers, see how it runs with them. My '67 Lightning had similar mufflers (except that they're upswept) when I got it, and the bike ran and sounded very nice with those. I'd be using them today except that the (removable) baffles are deteriorated from rust. I even looked into rebuilding the baffles, but I wasn't able to find the correct perforated steel sheeting.

first I have to get the heart of the bike beating.
Then we will take a look at the mufflers:p
Ger, the customs treated me fairly.
No big problems, the shipping company lost one of my important documents luckily I kept the original ones.
btw Ger, you used to teach right? what did you teach?


On one side, the piston and cilinder look very bad. LOTS of rust, probably can not save that one.
other side looks allright, just a little bit rust but cilinder wall (dont know the right word!)
seems clean.
The bad side is the one with the open valve, maybe thats what has caused it?

I'll take some pics asap

- Refrigeration techniques, theory and on running instalations in a training centre (KTA; koeltechniek algemeen)
- Basic Safety for contractors (Veiligheid voor aannemers VCA-1).

I teached for Elsevier Opleidingen in Zwijndrecht. Not for a school. Schools don't pay enough .

You've got that right!!!!

Did you work for a school, Wade?

Problem here is: Schooling and education do not connect to what companies / industries want from apprentices and young staff.
So the ministry of education tries to pull well educated and experienced technicians and engineers from business and industry into the schools,
but offers half the salaries these people are paid and used to.

You do not have an official teaching licence...
[email protected] I know, but you want me don't you?

When I lost my job at the Elsevier institute, after a reorganisation five years ago, I talked to a number of technical colleges in the Rotterdam area,
upon invitation from them, only to find out that my unemployment fee was higher than what they could offer.
So I started my own technical documentation bureau and every month I feel respectfully sorry for underpaid hard working teachers.
And when I go on holliday in May, I enjoy the quiet season, while schools dictate the season in which licenced teachers can go:
when everybody goes and prices are higher...

sounds like a smart career move ger, starting your own technical documentation bureau.
I am looking at a various university's right now, but I can not choose haha.
Mechanical engineering or economy in english?

I am not going to advise you, Tobias.
I advised my son. So, as a true son in a son / father relation, he did the opposite, and he's now a happy restaurant chef.
After that I did not advise my two girls and since all three are happy and settled, I decided people are happy without my advise...

polishing the old paint away



while polishing the framepaint, the bike suddenly remembered its origin!

so yeah it's winter! the best time of the year to work in your garage.

I got the pistons loose 2 months ago, and had the inner sleeve of the cilinder cleaned. I found new bsa lightning pistons of the correct size, 020 but they have a different shape.

The high one is the type of piston that the bsa had, the low one is the type of piston I bought.

What's the difference between these?
maybe compression?
Please explain i'm anxious to know the difference

Tobias,
Yes, compression will be different. I don't know how different, but it looks to me to be a LOT.

Could you repost another pic, with the rings of the one piston, engauging the ring lands of the other piston, so we can see if the piston crowns are the same hight from the top ring? ..I'm guessing the wrist pin bores are the same? Perhaps push the one wrist pin out enough to start into the bore of the other piston? Again, to see if the crown hight is the same?

The crown hight at the squish band... If I'm getting my terms correct.... NOT the absolute top of the piston!

Hi rickman,

I do not have a camera here right now, up to the pistonrings they are exactly the same.
The top of the high pistons is 1 cm higher than the top of the low one.

The red lines indicate that these heights are the same.

However, I looked into my 1965 parts catologue.
It shows the low piston in the drawing.
It sais that l/r were fitted with both 8.0 9.0 and 11.0 compression pistons.

On the ''degroot'' bsa site it is stated that the high ones actually are 9.0 compression.
http://www.degroot-bsa.nl/product_info.php/cPath/47_100/products_id/2598\

Excuse my english but wat is the crown hight?

btw Rickman, I just bought a Rickman zundapp a couple of weeks ago gonna put the 125 cc engine in my moped.

Tobias I don't think you want to use that pair of pistons.
You don't want to go running different compression pistons in each cylinder. It's bound to cause bad vibration and not be good for your motor.
The other thing to consider is the weight difference between the two pistons. Again this will cause bad vibration.
You really should try and find a matched pair of pistons of the same brand. Your bike will love you for it.
Hang in there and don't give up, the rewards are worth it. Especially when the chicks see you riding around on your cool old bike!

Tobias,

Look around, there are matched sets of pistons available for A65's. There is nothing wrong with using lower compression pistons.

7.5-1 pistons show up from time to time. Sure helps calm the vibration.

Most LR's had 9-1 pistons as standard. Some seem to have been equipped 11-1 pistons. IMO, you are better off with the 9-1 or lower.

Crown height is the measurement of the top of the piston.

wait wait! you guys got me wrong, I meant that I bought a SET of those lower pistons I would be grazy runing two different pistons.haha

does less compression mean a lot less power?

Tobias,
The answer to your question depends upon the end use the bike will be put to. Secondarily, what fuel you have available....

If you are going to race the bike, I guess you want higher compression...

But, if you are going to just ride and enjoy the bike normally, the set of lower compression pistons will probably allow the engine to have a longer life, be able to use any fuel you can find, and, as was said earlier, not have so much vibration out of the engine.
Unless you plan to use the bike at WOT all the time, I doubt you'd really notice the difference much at all?

What is going to be left of the Rickman? I am looking for lights, clocks, and wiring harness'. If it is an MX'er, there won't be much there... Where is the exhaust pipe going?
Brett

I guess my 'English' is off.... I meant where the verticle side of the piston stops, and meets the top of the piston... Just that 1/8 inch, or so, above the top ring. It isn't a 90 degree turn, so I cannot use 'horizontal'...

And I guess in these 'hemi heads' there is no 'squish band'...

Wish there was a universal set of terms we could look up....

oke thanks Rickman,

I'll have to think about parting out the rickman.
Nest question
How can I know my gearbox is a close ratio gearbox? without opening it?

It probably isn't close ratio. The engine code changed for lcose ratio geraboxes. If it was factory equipped, the S/N would start A65DC, which was also the code for the Lightning & Lightning Clubman. CR trans was not commonly fitted to the LR in the States.

[img]http://c1.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/131/l_8f83b642db434ab98759c17f1f688c78.jpg[/img]

I spent my evening working on the bike. wow shes pretty!

You have got the fever allready, haven't you... calling the bike a she...

Yeah I know!

I'm looking for the right wiring diagram.. where can I find it?
edit: found it

and another question about the push rods,
are the 2 middle ones operating the exhaust valves, and the 2 outer ones the inlet? is that correct?

I worked the whole night yesterday, is she is now pretty much ready to be resurected. I flushed the oil system, and oil is now returning into the oil tank every kick.
The electronics are a nightmare, I still don't seem to get a spark in emergency mode.
Tomorrow I will buy a battery, 6 volts is the one i need right?
And I'm still not sure whether I placed the push rods correctly, can somebody please help me finding the answer?

Center pair of lifters, long rods. Exhaust, I believe.
Outter pair of lifters, short rods. Intake, I think.

I believe the system is 6v, if still stock original.....

Hopefully, someone with definate knowledge will verify or tell us otherwise...
Brett

Correct.

For Tobias in his own dialect:

Kort = achter = buiten = inlaat;
Lang = voor = binnen = uitlaat.

Tobias: be carefull to position all rings and springs on the rocker shafts in a correct order during assembly.
I have a detailed drawing and photo's if you need them. Just let me know.

WOW! She runs!
I'm totally flabbergasted by the sound, it really goes through your whole body.

http://www.youtube.com/user/bmxtobias#p/a/u/0/gyjtqEZe6jw

http://www.youtube.com/user/bmxtobias#p/a/u/1/Nv_n75FVh2Q

you might've noticed the kickstarter not coming back, I will take a look at that tomorrow. This problem occured after I put in new oil
stationary, she is too high in her revs.
A bit of AMAL finetuning I guess.

I took the bike for it's first testrun today.

gearbox works perfect, she shifts lovely and the clutch is also fine.
I hit 100 kilometers an hour thats 60 miles an hour.
After some finetuning with the carbs she would run very low rev stationary (correct word?) so thats also fixed.
some small things though, when I give full throttle the bike first hesitates before accelerating (hard to explain).
Also, the carbs have 2 small holes beneath the inlet.
http://www.britishonly.com/pdf/more/AMAL/Monobloc/guide/guide2.pdf
On the left side, if I put my fingers on one of the holes the bike will go high in its revs.
On the right side this is not the case.
What are these holes for? And why does this happen?