Awesome & Rare 1968 BSA Thunderbolt 650 - Just Wow!

[@reelreeler8778]

OMG...That is one drop-dead-gorgeous bike!

[@thefuzzybiker171]

Loved it!

[@stevenwatsham5973]

Happy New Year Fuzzy.. My Matchless G80 of 1952 vintage is so valuable to me that it lives in the cottage with me by the fireside for the winter!

[@thefuzzybiker171]

Thank you and Happy New Year to you and yours too!

[@PakoylaSuperMeteor]

Beautiful!!! Wooowww!!! Wahoooooooo ✌🏻

[@thefuzzybiker171]

Glad you liked it!!

[@mikehuesser1058]

Picked up an identical 67 Thunderbolt. I like a bike that was hand made in a shop/factory, beautiful machines.

[@thefuzzybiker171]

Those are really cool bikes, wahoo!

[@alexanderpotts7308]

I've had two Thunderbolts in the 1970s and I've just got a barn find that I'll be starting to rebuild

[@thefuzzybiker171]

Nice!

[@alanmorgan9353]

Excellent bike, I had one for four years here in England. Never let me down and didn't leak. Many a good touring holiday. If only I could get it back.

[@thefuzzybiker171]

You are fortunate to have had one. Life is good. Wahoo!

[@JARRETT7121]

I also have a 68 Thunderbolt very stock and it does have a decal on the tank it does not have a balance tube on the exhaust it does not have a dual leading shoe up front but I wish it did and it does have a stock 68 Thunderbolt seat with the white BSA letters stenciled on the rear I've also owned Triumphs and Norton's but I just love this BSA

[@thefuzzybiker171]

Very nice!

[@ol_smokey9370]

Beautiful bike, it was nice talking to you the other day at Baxter. Nice to meet other Brit bike enthusiasts in the area.

[@thefuzzybiker171]

Yes, very nice to meet you and hear, not only about your bike but the story that goes with it. Excellent!

[@marktorbay]

Happy new year Fuzzy 🎉

[@thefuzzybiker171]

Happy new year!

[@kristophertrout7328]

As far as the carb it's really simple physics. It's getting the same amount of air passing through at 2000 rpm as a dual carb is getting at 4000 rpm. It's also why the dual carbs perform better at the higher revs, but for just cruising around town that single carb will always be the smooth choice.

[@thefuzzybiker171]

Nice, thanks!

[@alexanderpotts7308]

And if the dual carbs aren't perfectly set up, you can get lumpy running as one cylinder is getting a better fuel air mix, and lumpy running equals rough feeling when you open up the throttle, or at higher revs

[@rcnelson]

The Thunderbolt was the "econo" version of the Lightning; one carb, no tach, but I have no idea if engine internals differed. I recall that the Norton Commando's transmission shift pattern was one up, three down, which was the opposite of most motorcycles. If I'd had five grand I would've bought the Thunderbolt sold in my area a couple of years ago, but of course if wishes were horses beggars would ride.

[@thefuzzybiker171]

Beautiful bike, for sure!

[@alexanderpotts7308]

Nope, they are exactly the same internals. The oil in frame models had the rev counter (tachometer) and there was very little in difference in top speed - about 3 or 4 MPH - but the Lightning was quicker in acceleration

[@donparker1823]

Very cool. I wonder if the single carb makes it run smooth? If the duel carbs aren't sync'd perfectly they're a bit rough.

[@thefuzzybiker171]

This bike did run smooth, really enjoyed that. Wahoo!

[@stevec-b6214]

twin carbs are a pain to keep in tune, I am buying an A65 this week, made sure it was single carb model!

[@donparker1823]

@@stevec-b6214 so cool, best of luck on the BSA!

[@kevinmoor6408]

Last of the real motorcycles.

[@thefuzzybiker171]

Wahooooooo!

[@deltabluesdavidraye]

One carb makes for a better bike.

[@simoncaddick9085]

No way it's ever out of balance.

[@thefuzzybiker171]

This one worked well!

[@thefuzzybiker171]

Wahoo!

[@markclarke6579]

Would be nice to listen to the bike more than you! Why don't you leave the chat after the ride, plus the brit bike's do have a throttle so why not use it, you are labouring those motors, give em some beans! Nice bike's narration mmm need less!

[@thefuzzybiker171]

Noted!

[@bsa6505]

The value of a classic bike is reflected in 'Originality'. This is a poor example. The Front Fender painted black is stupid. It should be chrome. It does not have the correct Mufflers and the Side Covers with stupid flags. The Front Brake Hub should not be painted. Tank should not have any DecaL. Electronic Ignition is also stupid.

[@thefuzzybiker171]

I liked it. Wahoo