Powersports Passion 1969 BSA Lightning 650 1978 Triumph Bonneville 750 review

[@ks8452]

In 69 I was 12 years old and started to hang around a BSA dealer down the street from my house. The owner was an ex flat track TT racer by the name of Al Gaskill. He put me to work sweeping the floor, cleaning parts and keeping the bikes on the showroom floor shined up. Best experience a kid could have asked for. Whenever I catch a whiff of Safe T Kleen the memories return. Thanks for the video and the walk down memory lane.

[@mackenzie77777]

Have you ever seen the film "If" ? Starring Malcolm Macdowell. He steals one of these from a posh looking bike shop. It could have been a slightly earlier model though.

[@glenbreaks5448]

Nice to see a young person who knows old Brit bikes so well.

[@SebSar-ef4zj]

No tattoos !! How nice it is to see a nice girl interested in a motorcycle and not covered with silly tattoos, on a beautiful nostalgic BSA. You made my day, week and year. Great Vid. With thanks.

[@savage22bolt32]

She might have one, but we'll never see it !

[@SebSar-ef4zj]

@@savage22bolt32 She may, but it's none of my business other than her own.

[@razgriz380]

Tattoos truly make the women. A beautiful enhancement.

[@waltbennett5503]

Had a '67 Lightning. Didn't have the tickler buttons , but never had issues starting it. Drove it from Michigan to SoCal, and around there for about three years. Nothing but one problem after another. Tach and speedo kept breaking, one after the other. Finally did without both. After about 2ok miles it started making some really strange noises and I found some piston aluminum in the sump. Tore it down and found the jugs had aparently been dropped during assembly as one sleeve was .005 out of round. Malcom Smith was the head mechanic at K&N Motorcycles in Riverside and he got BSA to pay for the rebuild. Great guy!

[@allenc5108]

BSA Lighting was my first love in motorcycles. Never managed to own one. I did, however, I grow up on Triumph and Norton. Still love 'em! Current ride is Ducati Monster. There is a special place in my heart for a woman who knows her way around old Brit bikes. Thanks for putting a smile on my morning.

[@vidyaruchi4810]

Good luck to her. I had a Ligthening. It ws lovelywhen it was going but that was never for very long. I was delighted when somebody stole it. Wish I had had a Bonnie!

[@dabprod]

Rode a 650 67 BSA I bought used in 69. Chopped it and it was a hot looking bike. Great memories riding with a good friend on his 650 Triumph in Florida. He passed a few months ago and this video makes me think of those days. I'm 72 now and ride a Harley Low Rider. Thanks for posting.

[@reggiechin230]

Those are 2 lovely vintage bikes. You did a great job presenting them, well done.

[@69FOSTER]

Love this video, makes me want to go buy one of the classic British bikes from the late 60's. Those motorcycles had SOUL!

[@johnburns3703]

you don't need to tap the ticklers, just hold it in, it presses on the float lifting the viton needle from the incoming fuel valve flooding the chamber.

[@savage22bolt32]

So true, but then it wouldn't "tickle"

[@fiveowaf454]

If you "tap the tickler" you get exactly what happens here, a long wait, it seems to take a while even when you hold the tickler down until fuel comes out.

[@milojanis4901]

I was going to comment the same but you beat me to it. Agreed; simply push it down, and hold until fuel comes out. I believe what the tickler actually does is hold the float down, preventing the needle and seat from shutting off the fuel supply......

[@fiveowaf454]

@@milojanis4901 That's exactly what the tickler does, with the float held down it floods the carb with fuel, rather a crude way of making sure you have a rich mixture for a cold start, bit nevertheless effective. If you don't just hold the tickler down it will just take longer to over fill the float bowl.

[@harwoods11]

@@fiveowaf454 Crude but effective - all classic machines. Wonderful.

[@garystratton4125]

I had a 68 BSA Lightning back in 1980 I rode from Michigan to Conroe,TX...(1500 miles)Loved that bike.I rode it for 5 more years in Texas.

[@KitchenFoyle]

We know they don’t make legendary bikes like this any more. But beautiful girls who know these classic Brit bikes as well as this lady does are pretty thin on the ground, too. And for an English guy like me who grew up surrounded by Bonnevilles, Comandos and BSA’s, this American beauty just melts my heart. No double entendres from me, young lady, you’re just one hell of an adorable girl.

[@tomquinn607]

68 BSA Lightning. Saw that bike and was hooked on motorcycles from that day forward. The Lightning is not easy to find these days. Still love that BSA. Long may you run.

[@theoutsider4066]

The '69 Lightning was one of the finest motorcycles ever built.

[@caribman10]

If BSA had only taken the last step, as Royal Enfield did, to static balance the crankshafts, it would've been a different world. Best British twin I ever rode was a '70 BSA Firebird .It was fantastic.

[@fiveowaf454]

@@caribman10 That's the thing about the demise of BSA and Triumph that really irks me, there were so many simple engineering changes that could have been made to overcome the deficiencies they were known for, like vibration and oil leaks. When I've had by 73 Triumph Tiger 750 apart, having worked on many other brands of motorcycle there a glaringly obvious "features" that have me wondering why they kept building them that way. I know money was tight after they blew it in the hey days when they were selling everything they could produce, but some of the changes would have cost next to nothing in the scheme of things.

[@kdsowen2882]

@@fiveowaf454 It was the 'money-crunchers' . They flat-out refused to replace worn tooling or spend any money period. The USA-Export-Bikes were often better as they were more meticulous with them because they didn't want to lose that market . Dave NZ

[@fiveowaf454]

@@kdsowen2882 Yes my 73 Triumph was built using machinery dragged out of the Coventry factory after the Germans bombed it in WWII.

[@MacOne53]

Agreed.

[@Jodyrides]

Friend of mine owns a triumph 500 Daytona and a BSA 441 Victor.. we both worked at the same motorcycle dealership years ago that sold Japanese brands. I was a salesman, he was the main mechanic. his spikes were very well preserved and in excellent running condition. He often had to tell people they were not for sale when he would ride them to work and customers would see them. I one day asked him why he rides those stone age relics when he knows better. He explained it this way to me and it made perfect sense. he said, when you get in your Toyota or your Honda automobile. You know that it will start, and you will get to your destination without any problems, and you will return home without any problems. The same thing goes for Japanese motorcycles, you know that you’re going to put your key in and hit that starter button and it’s going to start and the ride home will be mechanically uneventful. you won’t have to pull off to the side of the road unexpectedly and dig out your tool kit and make a repair. on the other hand if you write a triumph or a BSA , You don’t know if it’s going to start, you better know how to start it because there is a ritual you must perform, and you better know how to kick it. And if it starts, and if it runs correctly, you still better carry a pretty comprehensive tool kit, as you know you will need it at some point.And that’s not the end of it. You better be good at troubleshooting mysteriously electrical and mechanical issues that will show up when you least expect them. arriving to and from your destination safely in a Japanese car or Japanese motorcycle it’s not really a very significant accomplishment. Anyone can do it. it takes skill, and luck, and mechanical know how to keep a BSA or a triumph running, just arriving to and from the Destiination is very rewarding you just don’t know if you’re gonna make it out and back on one of those machines. And that is more exciting than riding something you know is not gonna give you any trouble.. in fact, riding a Japanese motorcycle, is a little boring. riding something like a BSA or a triumph, really makes you appreciate when they don’t give you trouble especially when you’re many miles from home. That is an accomplishment. If you really want it to be exciting, ride alone without your cell phone...

[@alleyoop1234]

This is precisely why a long time ago I said I would never own another Honda

[@rcnelson]

The late '60s BSA 650s were perhaps the finest-looking motorcycles ever made. I always wanted one and never could afford it, but I did have a B50 and 441 Shooting Star.

[@noizyneighbour5790]

I have a '65 A65 Lightning Clubman nearing completion of a lengthy and expensive rebuild. Videos like this keep me going. Thank you :-)

[@richardcasey7521]

The Amal ‘tickler’ isn’t a pump, it just depresses the carb float to encourage gravity feed of gas into the float bowl. Holding the tickler down works best.

[@genegoodwin8925]

I started riding in 1964 and bought my first bike in 1967. What I bought back then were Hondas. I did however ride a BSA Lightning and still are drawn to BSA's. I have a friend who owns 47 motorcycles, mostly old BSA's and Triumphs. He has BSA Rocket III, Triumph Tridents, Lightnings, Bonnevilles, and Triumph TRX which I never even heard of, but he knows all about them. What a great collection. When I first saw his collection I asked him if he had a mop in his building. He asked me why I asked such a question. I told him when I'm done looking there just might be some slobbers on the floor.

[@annpeerkat2020]

He probbly thought you were going to clean up some oil stains with the mop! TRX triumph... I wonder if that was their 1970s "chopper" job with the teardrop tank and stuff... called the hurricane in some markets.

[@genegoodwin8925]

@@annpeerkat2020 He has several TRX's and at least three Hurricanes. Rocket III with 4 and 5 speed transmisions, Triumph Tridents, Trohpys, Lightnings, Thunderbolts, It is an amazing collection

[@annpeerkat2020]

@@genegoodwin8925 Ahhh 4 wheels! He's got the kind of shed everyone would love to have! Thanks for your reply.

[@mjordan812]

I had a '66 Lightning in '67. Miss that bike. Thanks for prodding the memories.

[@morgulb]

I bought a new Bonnie in 1978. It looked just like yours except the red on mine was a candy apple red. The red started to fade on top of the tank even though I would cover it when it was parked outside. I paid $1685 for mine new. I wish I still had it but 12 years later my daughter became my new priority. I only used the one petcock and keep the reserve closed when starting the engine. I would hold down the "ticklers" until I saw the bowl gaskets start to darken as the fuel rose in the float bowls. Very little gas would spit out from the vent. I never used the kickstand and would always straddle the bike to kick start it. For your height and weight the use of the kickstand, and how you use your left leg looks natural and spot on. A lot of peeps new to older British metal can learn from you. Keep the magic alive.

[@eddiecaplan1908]

When i was 18, i bought an old 1953 bsa a10, with my first overtime pay, it was a rigid framed custom built 70s racing bike, but sat in the guys garage for over twelve years, it was very hard to start, ran very rough, and leaked fuel really bad, so, for over a year i tinkered with it, but usually only got to ride it to the end of the road before having to push it home. One very early sunday morning, i go outside, theres this gorgeous australian lady that lives in the same tower block, looking the bike over, within about 5 mins, shes told me, its got the wrong carb,(the one it has is from an older bike!),all carb gaskets leak, the brass fuel tap is worn out, and the gas tank is from a different bsa (it has the speedo mounted in tank), so, she comes back later with an old amal monobloc carb, gives me a phone number for a british bike place , with a list of bits i will need, carb rebuild set, fuel tap gasket, screw in gas tap, and best of all, this small wire cage containing what looks like large lead pieces,that you drop into the gas tank, so it will run ok on unleaded gas. To cut a long story short.....over a period of weeks, we got talking, she was very keen to see how my mongrel bsa was progressing, the new carb, tap, better plugs,new coil leads, it was actually now starting fairly easily, idled smoothly, so we started going out on rides, just for practical purposes obviously😀, luckily for me,being a welder, i was able to make up a set of plates to mount her new pipes for her triumph, then i can remember the exact moment when she was standing right in front of me, pretending to be all serious, saying^ i suppose now i will have to make you husband number 6, looking really surprised, i said^ are you kidding?, you havent really been married 5 times???^, still looking deadpan serious, she just said,^ yea, it never seemed to work out, when they didnt do what they were told, i had to bury them out there in the field, ............then burst out laughing😀, that was our first kiss!!!, i was then 20, she was a very stunning 42, id never have belived she would have even looked at me twice, but that was the start of a really amazing relationship, i often look back, and think if i hadnt bought that a10, we probably would never have met..........

[@MikeMiller-fc2cc]

YOU LUCKY DOG, GUUD FER YA

[@gregorytimmons4777]

Those kinds of friendships are awesome. I had a close friends older sister become infatuated with me when i was in my late teens or possibly 20 years old. I still can't believe i had to end it but i did. She was just too crazy in some respects and mostly just a tease in others but the attention of an older woman does a young lad's heart wonders.

[@tankjohnson5857]

@ I WEAR A TOUPEE

[@АлександрПерчов-ж9у]

@@tankjohnson5857 Ha ha....!

[@tankjohnson5857]

ARE U THEE EDDIE CANTOR HOO SANG MAKING WHOOPEE?

[@wcody777]

Stationed on Camp Pendleton in 1967, I bought my second bike in Escondido, CA (after my Hodaka 90 cc dirt bike). It was a 650 BSA Lightning. A beautiful beast. That bike may not have been the fastest (only got it to 94 mph outside Edwards AFB) but it had so much torque that it could leave most other bikes in the dust at any speed. You really had to respect this bike to keep it from killing you. One day, my wife told me i had to choose between her and my bikes. I told her I couldn't give up my bikes. She divorced me. But at least I still had my beloved Beezer. The woman in this video demonstrates her respect for the bike by her careful use of the clutch and gas. She's an accomplished rider. Anyone who drools over the woman first and the bike second isn't a true biker.

[@auggie803]

-Yes i agree with you a hundred percent. I would have told my wife to hit the road if she felt that way.

[@harley45acp]

Can't help loving a woman who loves classic motorcycles and knows how to operate and ride them! Enjoy your ride, and ride long and prosper.

[@ronalddauro563]

Can’t help loving a woman !!!!!!

[@Ironeyes4440]

Those are really nice bikes. In high school, 1969, I had a 68' BSA 250 Starfire. I have always loved BSA. I just purchased a totally redone, 1968, BSA A65 650cc Firebird Scrambler. It should arrive next week. I live in a warm climate, so riding should be year round. Nice video, thanks.

[@joycethomas8868]

In 1970 I owned a 1965 BSA Lightning Rocket. It had round emblems on the gas tank (not tear drop) and smooth ( not finned) valve covers. The gearbox side covers and valve covers could be polished to look almost chrome. Probably the cleanest looking twin, in my opinion, ever built. Had a real nice rumble. It wasn’t the fastest bike on the road, but it was gorgeous.

[@geoffreycarson2311]

Nice Bike BUT THE ROCKET GOLDSTAR 1962PRE -UNIT Was the BEST B.S.A.g

[@geoffreycarson2311]

That Lady WOULD DO HER NUT !!!😊If SHE SAW MY 56 650 ALL Chrome & Black/Ivory TROPHYBIRD 😀g

[@larrywhite6667]

When I was 16 years old I thought that was the best looking motorcycle on the roads. I have always wanted one this the first one I have seen in years!!!! LOVE IT!!!!

[@Moonlight-hq3gi]

bsa 650 may relaunch in India by classic legends who manages jawa and yezdi ❤️ from kerala,🇮🇳

[@northdakotaham1752]

Love that BSA! I have a 68 Lightning that has been in storage for about 23 years. Bought it back in about 1974. All original but definitely not as nice condition as yours. The gauges suffer from being shook to pieces internally. Still has the original Dunlops but they are worn out. The starting sequence, I would always sit on the bike so it is upright first, if you won't want to hold up the bike, put it on the center stand first. then turn on the fuel, then tickle the carbs because that way they are sitting level and won't leak all over. You don't need to pump the tickler...just push it down until a little fuel shows up. That's enough. The ticklers on my bike look more like the ones on your Triumph. I always use the choke on a cold engine. At idle it will just sit there and thump back and forth between cylinders so you can count the revolutions.

[@jonneet2126]

I will be 65 on November 1st this year (2018), and began riding motorcycles at eight years of age. So, I well remember when the old Triumphs, BSAs, Nortons, Royal Enfields were common in the US. I think the BSA in the video might be my favorite motorcycles as far as classic looks. I never owned one, but did have an earlier model BSA 500 twin scrambler. It had twin Amal Monobloc carbs and high pipes for off road ability. I just rode it on the street. It was my transportation in high school, class of '72. Tons of motorcycle memories spanning way too many years!

[@aloisamrein2675]

Extactly this BSA was my first motorbike, End of sixties.

[@1234567marks]

That’s an impressive pair for sure 👍

[@terenceburchett6122]

Great commentary and this lady knows her stuff and could handle a heavy bike. Well done, loved the usage of the seat sit!

[@alanroach3692]

Cool, Classic machines that everyone wanted from the 60's thru the 70's Thanks!

[@CNDUK-q8r]

8:21 I can't stop watching you kick start the Bonnie. Such epic style and grace. Reminds me of a 15 year old local girl I knew back in the day who could also kick over a T140 Bonny.

[@garycarey1315]

Thank you, bought back loads of memories as my first big bike .w as a A65 BSA Lighting and second a Bonni 750 front end chopped with a BSA A10 rear. I agree totally with your comments on these British bikes. Unfortunately don't make them like this anymore. Flying machines !!!

[@oldguyinshed1703]

I love the way you have devised a way of kicking the T140 by kneeling on the seat, that is so slick.

[@wickedcoolname5756]

What a beautiful bike! I've always loved the old BSAs.

[@petermayo4804]

Nice Video, brings back memories of my old steeds, '50 BSA A7 all Black, some Chrome, very quiet machine joy to ride. '56 Triumph Tiger 100, would top 105mph with ease, preferred colour and old style tank badging, my personal favourite, and lastly Norton 600 super sports, road holding perfection, many trips back and forth to Germany whilst serving in the RAF. Where have the years gone?

[@randalmontgomery4595]

The puddle was fuel. The float stuck open and you can see gasoline spewing out. I had a 1969 Lightning and a 1976 Bonnie. The only point I can say re the BSA is that you should only turn one of the petcocks on as the other is Reserve. And ya, just hold the button down till gas comes out, "tickling" it up and down is un-necessary. 90% of riders don't use the choke. If you do, you won't need to keep the engine revved up until it idles. Let the choke do its job, unless it is hot (not just warm) out. Otherwise for a young chick she really knows her stuff and I am impressed enough to forward this to all my buddies.

[@bonkeydollocks1879]

Incorrect info on the "choke" I'm afraid ref the BSA. it does not have a choke but a cold start lever for cold starts ONLY . when cold you can not raise the idle speed by using the "choke" . it has no bearing on idle speed as per a normal choke . sorry to piss on your French fries old chap.

[@id10tcertified]

But... If you have a choke use it, it saves revving a cold and unlubed engine also, if the float needle doesn't seal on a regularly used bike it's likely just crap from the tank... turn the fuel off, start and run it till it runs out of fuel in the bowl/s and said crap will (usually) drop out due to the float needle being wide open from the seat and the reason for having a bung on the bottom of the bowl is to drop that crap out easily... I'm not familiar with any difference to a cold start lever in a concentric Amal as opposed to a choke lever: I know the difference in the enrichener Mikuni and S&S have which allow them to add more fuel and on both it does increase idle speed until warm and then floods due to too much fuel but Amal's don't have a separate internal hole needed for that, they choke the air as most carbs do. The only difference I know about choke levers is the wording in some owner and workshop manuals, some call the choke lever a cold start lever is all.

[@bonkeydollocks1879]

@@id10tcertified on these old bikes the cold start device/choke does not save you from having to keep the revs up at idle on a cold engine , its just a cold start aid , it does not raise revs.

[@stancoleshill8925]

Yes, you don't have to push the tickler up and down. It is not a pump. It simply pushes the float down to open the flow of fuel to fill the float bowl higher. You don't even have to wait for gas to drip out all over. Just push it down for about 3 seconds is all that is needed. Also you don't have to keep twisting the throttle constantly to keep the thing running if it is properly tuned. This is why the carb slides wear out prematurely. It is better to keep the idle up slightly until the engine warms. Stop wearing out your slides. You will see so many revving it up and down constantly which is really not necessary. You don't keep revving up your car or lawn mower ?????? Why a motorcycle.?

[@markr5132]

Too bad doesn't know how to ride for shit! I think she just learned how to ride yesterday she fell over and sprained her left wrist, hence the wrist band.

[@edwardscully6536]

In 1968 I work for a firm in the UK called Commerfords, it was quite popular with people in New Zealand and Australia. One traveled all the away from New Zealand to buy a new Triumph Bonneville which he did. He was so Keen to try it out which he did, and I watched him drive it straight into a brick wall before insuring it. I still find it painful remembering that incident to this day

[@hhoward14]

Nice video. I worked at the Triumph, and BSA. main agents in the 1960s, and have experience of most types of British machines. We would never have kick started a machine on the prop stand, the way this nice girl does, for two principle reasons: 1 the whole prop stand assembly is a good deal weaker than a centre stand, and accelerated wear and damage are likely if a big guy uses that method. He would be expected to support the machine with his left leg, having first folded the prop stand away, to prevent the risk of riding off with it extended, and having a nasty spill...Secondly: Tarmac is often thin, and the stand can easily damage the area where a machine is habitually parked, especially if softened with fuel and/or oil, and might cause it to push through, and cause the machine to fall over, in fact we were instructed not to rely on them ever...In the instructions for the carb-tickling I think it advised allowing the float chamber to fill, then depressing the plunger for about a second or so (can't really remember) . In any event we avoided fuel overflowing, because of the extra time it took, and mess, though many customers did not.Best regards From Scotland.

[@結束聡]

ゆ

[@RodFleming-World]

Yes either on the centre stand or no stand. Once you have the trick, the latter is no more difficult

[@northdakotaham1752]

For a light weight person, it isn't easy kicking that BSA while holding it up. Best bet is to put it on the center stand. I always do with mine. I never trust that side stand as I have seen several bikes flop over, the stand sinks in the dirt or asphalt. Also....the tickler works better when the bike is level as the float chambers are level also.

[@peterhayward1363]

So nice to see these short clips. Thank you for posting. I had the 61 Bonneville in 67/68.

[@pics2flicks]

I had a 1975 T140V Bonny just before control sides were swapped. Wish I still had it. I have velocettes now.

[@JackF99]

Cool video! Really enjoyed the casual presentation and rideaway. Should have some footage of you wailing down the street too. FYI to tickle an Amal carb you don't pump the plunger up and down. Just hold it down it until gas trickles out. It is a valve, not a pump. Also, most Britbike enthusiasts do not view the 1978 model today as an "upgrade" over 650 Triumphs or BSAs from the '60's.

[@lgbadman]

Had a 1969 and 1970 Bonneville. The "tickler" is actually a little rod that connects to the tickler button and pushes the carb float down and floods the carb. Too much and the engine is flooded.

[@JackF99]

lgbadman Yea that's it. Float valve opens when float is depressed. Point being you don't pump it.

[@johnwade5747]

actually,it is neither a valve or a pump.It is a method of "dunking"the float until the gas level runs over and pre_primes (floods) the carb slightly .And in the whole scheme of things,they are right ..,you dont have to pump the tickler, but it really doesnt hurt.(she can pump a tickler any time she wants!).

[@Sha-yw6fb]

Very impressed with the way she enthusiastically explains about the bikes..great presentation..thanks..I enjoyed it..

[@tomquinn7896]

The BSA Lightning has to be one of the best designs ever in terms of its curb appeal. Interestingly the first ohv vertical 4 stroke big twin from Japan, the Kawasaki W2 Comander borrowed heavily from the BSA engine design.

[@kdsowen2882]

They built 'Their' version of the old A10 long-stroke-motor , they bought the Rights to do so, when they purchased Meguro, who had got the Rights from the Brits. Stronger bike than the BSA. Their latrest W650 and W800 are the latest long-stroke parallel-twins . Sound like a BSA and bullet-proof. Dave NZ

[@MakeAllThingsBeautiful]

here in England i would say there were far more Bonnevilles than the Lightnings though the BSA really is a beautiful bike, i wonder if most were made for the USA market as i rarely saw any and i used to go to bike meets quite a lot, i would say there were probably more BSA Goldstars around in the 70's and 80's, the BSA Goldstar's were adored by many and had a big owners club, but the best of them in my opinion, the BSA Lightning's were so rare, the Norton Commando was sort of common compared to Lightnings, the Bonnies were and sort of still are everywhere here. But the BSA Lightning is so so so so so beautiful. Thanks for the vid.

[@knockholt69]

I am pleased to say that I have the BSA 68 Lightning model as well and everybody who sees it loves the look of it. Good looking bikes and also appreciating in value .

[@paulyoung1172]

Great video Ashley I thought you started the bikes well not many girls would try that. Normally a couple of tickles to the carbs is enough, it just brings the float level up. I don’t like spilling fuel, my friends bike burnt out recently so be careful, well done Paul Young

[@shellydrew100]

The U.S spec Bonnie with its high rise bars...and that gorgeous tank , well we fell in love with it straight away

[@stemmlerd]

It is nice to see these Brit Bikes get some attention. It seems that so many of today's riders don't have respect for the bikes of that era. I loved BSA;s and still do. It is nice to see the young lady talk respectfully of these bikes. I never saw anyone kneel on the seat while kicking a bike. Nice going. Most of the comments were favorable and accurate. Just a few know-it-alls with stupid comments. I have a real warm place in my heart for the A10 and A7 BSA's.

[@Ironeyes4440]

Beautiful machine. Triumph and BSA had some awesome bikes in the mid to late 60's. My first one was a 69' BSA Starfire 250cc. I was in high school then and progressed up the line until my Harley days. I've ridden bikes since I was sixteen and I'm now 66 and still have a bike, a 1200 Harley. Live to Ride!

[@MrYorkie247]

well done girl i know some guys who cant kick over a lightning nice to see these old bikes running

[@thomasdailey7242]

I had one. I loved it. Kept breaking the kick starter dog. The most beautiful bike I've ever owned. BSA Lightning.

[@billlowe6883]

Great video. Getting ready to attempt to fire up 650 BSA lightning. Been sitting in the basement for 51 years

[@hogsnplanes]

Nice video. To prime just hold the tickler down. Pumping does nothing, All the thing does is push the float down and floods the carb.

[@OtisENGINEuity]

it can actually help bleed the air to bounce it, allows the fuel to work a vacuum and pull the air out quicker

[@powersportspassion1925]

+OtisENGINEuity I learned that over the years from the old timers at my families shop, it definitely helps.

[@mrbigstuff6149]

Peeing petrol and fire it up . What's that dark patch under the trumpet?🙀

[@electronicdawg]

Oil of course, that's what all British bikes do. Leak oil from vibration.

[@rejm1161]

Leaking oil Just like an older Harley Davidson.

[@buddhastaxi666]

I liked the BSA lightning growing up teenager in Wales. I wanted to be a Rocker.. When I had some money when i was 19 after working in a mine in Coolgardie remote West Australia i went to order ane and the factory had closed down. A company famous for generations had folded. The Trumpy like the Norton lasted a bit longer. I rode a lot of them, yet so many guys who owned them were always doing major rebuilds. Being a hippy by then I did not participate sufficiently in the consumer work process , i never seemed to have enough money to buy one, They were $2000 new. they are still lovely machines despite the reliability issues. Nevermind Im 66 own 2 bikes and can still ride.

[@johnhall1001]

Left hand side gear-change came in through, (not an upgrade), but USA Federal Legislation in 1975! Engines with separate gearbox, we call , Pre-unit in the UK!

[@mikeskidmore6754]

Hey @John Hall leave it to the USA to mess things up like require the shifter on the left hand said .. I knew some where they made laws to standardize it on the left side.. Just the same you Brits drive on the wrong side of the road..

[@EeezyNoow]

@@mikeskidmore6754 We call it a gear lever rather than a shifter - and it should be on the RHS. Then, when you change, it's left hand and right foot. Similarly when you brake it's right hand, left foot. Perfectly balanced for both actions. And of course it's more civilised to drive on the left.

[@mikeskidmore6754]

@@EeezyNoow British drive on the wrong side of the road because most people are right handed.. and if two men riding horses were to meet on the road.. then they could use their sword or jousting spear with their right hand.. I did read that the Government tried to standardize shfters to the left side and foot brake on the right side.. In flat track racing it would be better to have shifter on the right side while rasing in a counter clockwise direction as is the normal direction ..

[@EeezyNoow]

@@mikeskidmore6754 You got it.

[@bradleymorehouse7462]

Both are beautiful examples from the golden age. Thanks for sharing.

[@zaedlo]

The BSA sounds and looks so good, I had both Triumph's & BSA's in the 60s I preferred the BSA's

[@sivi8272]

why ??

[@OtisENGINEuity]

same reason why some people love Nortons or Matchless more. To each their own. BSA really was the more stylized, in many aspect you can say Triumph was like the Ford or Dodge level, Norton was like Mercury or Plymouth and BSA was like Lincoln or Chrysler if you were to use 60's car terms. Triumph was the no frills go fast division, Norton was the little nicer yet still quite ballsy, and BSA was the oh my god comfort and style bike with a little less care for power.

[@53jed]

BSA got absorbed by Triumph. After that, the two brands were basically badge engineered clones - BSA Rocket 3 was a Triumph Trident with a smiley face. Then Labour wrecked everything British. Triumph went down the tubes, the workers bought the company's wreckage and ensured its destruction.

[@vicent436]

Gerard Tyrrell Triump was bought by Bsa

[@TheOfficialCaseMade]

grumpy old fart Most modern Triumphs are made in Thailand, and I strongly doubt you would think they were junk if you watched their factory in action. The build quality is absolutely second to none and MUCH higher than a bunch of British blokes in a shed fifty years ago could ever dream of.

[@colinwood495]

Hi, Nice video. I owned a BSA A65 when it was almost new and it was a terrible bike; at 100mph it made my hands and feet tingle due to vibration and light bulb filaments didn't like it either; at least it looked like a bike. A similar bike was my Norton 750cc Atlas; a real rubbish bike; flat out it used to shatter it's piston skirts; I was forever replacing pistons. The best bikes I ever owned back in 1971/2 were BMW R75/5 750 cc; I could and did ride these thousands of miles flat out without the slightest problem; they were a joy to own and ride; at the time I could have bought a terrace house for the price of one of these BMW's. I've ridden many bikes but the early British bikes vibrated and left puddles of oil; the oldest bike I ever rode was a Brough Superior SS 80. I assembled some of the first Japanese bikes (Honda) here in the UK and I'm not at all surprised our bike industry went into sharp decline; electric starters; indicators; dead smooth and no oil puddles; what a contrast. Thanks for adding the video. Kind regards, Colin.

[@mikeskidmore6754]

When I was sixteen years old .. I worked in a Repair shop that specialized in repairing British bikes.. My Boss had a BSA Hillclimber that ran in Nitro and Methane ..

[@kevinhughes720]

I was born in Birmingham, England and my father worked at BSA. He would come home on a different model each night. I've been on the back of them all.

[@mongrelmotorsports]

I ride a new Bonne but love the old bikes. I always thought the BSA sounded like a moto should. Very nice pair of bikes and watching you kick start them may be the hottest thing ever, lol. Well done.

[@OtisENGINEuity]

I wish I had my dad's 65 T120C running so I could link you a video of it.. that thing sounds AMAZING. It was set up for racing before we got it and it's got a 2 into 1 header with no packing in it and I swear they upped it to 750cc and higher compression.. I've never heard another brit twin that sounds as good as this thing. Seriously wish I had the money to buy it from my dad and get it back on the street.

[@jackfallat9516]

My 1st bike was a honda 50. From ages 14-16,rode that little scooter like I stole it. My next bike was the BSA 650 lightning rocket, nearly killed myself till I got use to it. Couldn't get the Amal carbs, with velocity stacks to idle properly(had to stay on the throttle). After putting in a new clutch and clutch bearings,it ran great and was fast.Before going the service, I wanted a Harley. I sold the beezer and bought a sportster. It was the captain America paint scheme. '71 AMF........still got it. Came back from Nam and took her apart and had it painted,chromed,molded frame, all the stuff that was done in he 70s. ...............funny how you can remember every detail about every bike you owned, but can't remember all the inlaws names.....LOL

[@derekwhyle1884]

Love the way you look at the lightning clutch lever when pulling away and kill the ignition cos you can’t find neutral when you stop.

[@georgew7422]

This brings back memories,I raced in the early sixties in the Northeast Usa scrambles tracks,I watched the 2 guys in particular Don Gore and Ed Pink race,Gore rode A BSA 650 and Pink rode a Harley 750,they were evenly matched and it was great watching Them ,they were both experts.

[@STANLIZ4]

2 fantastic bikes the epitome of the English style of their times!

[@simonporenta661]

Super motorcycles, I have a BSA A65 OIF, 1971 and I love this bike! And this girl, all honor and praise to her, with a disabled left arm and fingers, mastered the perfect this BSA !!! Yust keep on! Great video!

[@powersportspassion1925]

It's amazing that your the only person who took note that I have an injury on my left arm and not automatically assume that I'm some awkward or bad rider. In July 2012 I was riding in a very rural area and a deer pile drive into my gas tank on my GSXR1100 at about 60mph. I shattered my left kneecap, compound fracture of my left femur, tore a bunch of nerves out of my spinal cord paralyzing my left arm from the elbow down leaving roughly 20% hand function, also broke my left clavicle and humerus bone. It wasn't my best day that's for sure! I'm just glad a passing car saw it or I'd probably be dead right now!

[@simonporenta661]

You are a true biker, this accident did not collapse you, praise, I admire it!

[@carabela125]

I'm impressed any time a woman can kickstart a 650.

[@jl4775]

You don't need to pump the "tickler", just hold it down. All it is is a pin that holds the float down thus opening the needle valve to let extra fuel in to raise the fuel in relation to the jet, hence a richer mixture for starting.

[@endurojimmy3109]

So glad you mentioned this. It annoys me somewhat when I see pumping the tickler. I feel it's a lack of mechanical sympathy. Also doesn't BSA stand for Bloody Saw Arse ?

[@dougbyarlay4532]

Great video on two of my favorite bikes, especially since I owned a 67 Lightning and a 78 Bonneville that I bought brand new, painted the same colors as yours. I traded the Beemer in when I bought the Bonnie and wish I had them both now!

[@marcj6265]

I might be wrong about this, but I think that you took off in second gear on the BSA. Right side shifting bikes were usually one up three down.

[@bruceparr1678]

They could be one up or one down depending on how you installed the selector plate.

[@bonkeydollocks1879]

Nah they are one down three up . I've got one.

[@chunhaylee]

Not true at all. Pretty much all bikes are one down and the rest up, except for race bikes which have reversed shifting.

[@charlespatrick1572]

Exactamundo.

[@marciethomas5766]

I own a 1964 350 BSA I love the sound of the BSA, my bike had a compression reless lever, it held open one of the valves. You would never start my bike as you just did the 650.

[@aliwhitwell]

Ah the days when the gear selector was on the proper side! :-)

[@stephengaughan2561]

Traded my 1948 Chevy Fleetline for a BSA Lightning when I was in college in 1978. It had an all chrome extended fork and no fender. My four roommates drove 650 Bonnevilles and 750 Tridents. Great times. A lot of time out of class.

[@jimbougard8560]

Great video! It is all good information. You know more about them that most folks who own them these days. Just a tip from a mechanic... You do not have to pump the carb "tickler" (not that it is wrong). You can just hold it down until you feel the gas on your finger tip. It's function is to hold down the carburetor's float and allow the bowl to overflow... Just enough to wet the throat of the carburetor. I know that it seems like a silly little detail, but now you know. BTW, if those bikes are titled to you, they are definitely NOT a man's bike. A women's ownership makes them no less badass... It makes HER a badass.

[@annpeerkat2020]

I winced at the fuel running onto the cases after "pumping the ticklers", then was gobsmacked to hear it didn't need any choke because it was warm. I thought it sounded like triumph using the old parts bin again to fit old gen carbies to something with a choke cable... but a quick bit of research found a norton website that showed it's not uncommon around that era. I've only had either one or the other, never both... but I now know more about how much I don't know!

[@donaldmike8311]

I had a '62 BSA Goldstar. I was taught by the dealer who was "old school" that when starting an air cooled motor, you hold the throttle steady at a "quick idle" about 1000 rpm until the cylinder feels warm to the touch. DO NOT let it idle slow or Crack the throttle until it warms up or it could develope piston slap.

[@hillbilly951]

Hi You have two lovely bikes there nice to see what we made in uk ....

[@martinwall7297]

had a 70 trump it ran like crazy, almost handled as well as a norton,which i didn't have.great review

[@ducatiman856]

Damn, you don't see so many young folk (especially birds - all due respect) into or versed in our old Brit bikes ... top marks for the vid and enthusiasm. Defo flooding Amals on the Bonnie

[@outdoorfreedom9778]

Just a note for the kids that have never had a bike like these, when you tickle them you don't have to choke them to the point where gas runs out. You got a feel for them and knew just how far you had to pump before the bowl was full. I'm sure the hot young lady knows this but she had to show how they work.

[@timmccaffrey1326]

She could tickle my old carburetor any time....but whether i'll come to life st this stage is another story.......that B.S.A.....beautiful bike!!

[@powersportspassion1925]

haha

[@johndillard8588]

Tim mcCaffrey : Never give up!

[@dexterthompson1809]

@@johndillard8588 too funny...

[@moderatefkr6666]

The way you knelt on the seat to wang that starter down was really stylish. Not seen that done for about 40 years! Since your bike came out of Meriden to be precise. Nice.

[@paulbunyun-xi9by]

shes not loaded up with tattoos either!

[@1941392]

There might be a Butterfly somewhere....

[@johnnyboy1586]

Lovely beeeza

[@derrickconnolly9164]

I liked the memories you brought back. My first bikes and those of my friends. For some reason I fell for the Norton my twenties. Early. Then kawasaki caught my eye. Yes the odd honda. But today I still have the Vulcan Nomad. All custom built. Sweet ride. Never was a fan of the Harley. Nothing but a fucking nightmare most times. And I never got the black leather thing. What the Fuck is with the black leather and all the other gear. Do you have to look like a biker to be whatever a biker is perceived to be. Blue jeans and cowboy boots. Snakeskin if you dare. Lol. Black leather so fucking gay.

[@bruceg.6282]

I like that.

[@terrykeith4791]

I restored a 650 BSA in 1970. It was a great bike for road trips. Simple but elegant!

[@Confluence323]

my first bike was that exact '69 Bezeer... the red/chrome tank; best looking bike ever made

[@burtvincent1278]

I thought so too. I had an identical 1968 model back in the day. I bought and perfectly restored a 1970 Thunderbolt a few years back. The problem is I seem to have grown a bit. I looked like a bear riding a tricycle.

[@UncleWally3]

Been riding long, hard and fast for 50 years and while I adore my memories of old BSA’s and Triumph’s I don’t adore the actual machines. In my opinion, at the present moment we’re in the Golden Age of internal combustion motorcycles. The “good old days” were fine for many reasons. But, compared to the bikes I rode in the 60’s, today’s bikes are miracles. All that said, this video is well done - thank Birmingham, Meriden & God for aesthetics!

[@bonkeydollocks1879]

Absolutely , horses for courses

[@ralphbillick1210]

Great video , would like to see you riding them a couple miles.

[@DeereX748]

Right side shift was a US requirement, to standardize the rear brake and shifter position with all the Japanese bikes and Harley Davidsons, done in 1975. It definitely wasn't an upgrade, as it took more parts and a redesign to accomplish. BSA had ceased production by the time this change was made, but the 3-cylinder Rocket Three received the modification, as the engine was used in later model Triumph Trident motorcycles. The Trident and Rocket Three engines were identical internally, but the cylinders were vertical on the Trident and canted forward on the Rocket (BSA) engines. Racers said the BSA triple handled better due to a slight shift in weight balance due to this difference. BSA and Triumph twins were very similar internally, probably the biggest single difference was that BSA twins used a single camshaft for intake and exhaust, whereas Triumphs had separate intake and exhaust cams. I owned two 1072 Triumph Daytona 500 twins; I was too young to get in on the pre-oil-in-frame 650's, which I hated the looks of, so I bought the 500, which retained the separate oil tank and classic earlier design of the 650's. The "little" 500 was a screamer and handled very nicely, being about 75 pounds lighter than the 650's ; it still had the wonderful exhaust tone and lopey idle of its larger brethren.

[@billharrigan9178]

Nice video showing 2 of my favorite motorcycles. To improve your audio, get a Sony ICD-BX140 audio recorder (around $40) and use it like a wireless mike. When editing, just sync up audio from the Sony and have great audio anyplace.

[@frankkemble2103]

Really good to see a pretty lady who really knows her way around he idio-syncracies of these old bikes. I have one of each, have had for 40 years and know just how tricky they can be at times. Nice work madame!

[@stevek8829]

It was nice seeing that Lightning...and hearing.

[@deanrhodenizer938]

First I enjoyed your post. Quite some time ago (1966) I owned a 1958 BSA A10, the predecessor of the A65. Comments:1. I believe the BSA A65 shift setup was up for first and down for the rest so I think you took off in second gear.2. A tickler just holds the float in the carb down to prevent it from stopping the fuel from coming in. This allows the carb to flood. It is not necessary to press it multiple times. Just press and hold until the fuel appears and preferably no longer than necessary to minimize the spillage of fuel.

[@TheHannible]

Not trying to be sexist but , a Triumph like that and a nice looking girl does wonders for an old guys heart lol

[@MattC0621]

Not to me.

[@MattC0621]

good for you. I'm not.

[@MattC0621]

They do. What I said was that his comment was not derogatory. Get it right Troll.

[@powersportspassion1925]

Absolutely nothing sexist about that. I don't know why you'd think it was? However I don't believe in that political correctness bullshit either! I like it when people just say what they mean!

[@terrycreighton7223]

Hannible 100 after market egsaust for motorcycle

[@ronsummers4090]

All original 60’s bike, with all original oil leaks after 5 miles lol. Beautiful bike. My dad had one, I remember standing next to it with the British Side Arms badge next to my head.

[@TheStevemcqueen68]

I have had six Triumphs Never had a problem with Lucas.

[@joshnme]

Usually people that start in with that "Prince of Darkness" crap never owned a Triumph. I have 2 1979 t140D. One is all original with the Lucas Rita electronic ignition, wiring loom, coils, charging system.. 37 years years old, never failed. The cars.......well......nuther story. LOL

[@powersportspassion1925]

+joshnme For whatever reason all the old guys that worked at my families shop from the 60s/70s heydays would use that quote. I always thought it was kind of funny but good "historical dialogue" for the younger watchers to learn some of what the old days were like. I will say not necessarily owning many Brit bikes but after running a shop that partially specifies in working on them we do run into a lot more bad Lucas parts than good ones due to the nature of the work!

[@cowdudeable]

I am only now putting this together...you own a bike repair shop? Holy shit! I am in love. Can I work for you? I have a set of Whitworth sockets around here somewhere.

[@powersportspassion1925]

+David Lehrer Yes I have a collection of bikes and a shop. I'm mostly into supermotards, motocross and vintage cafe/street tracker style bikes. I work for my family's shop in Northern NJ. My dad started the business in 1975. I mostly do the welding/machining/fabrication work and towing now but I do whatever I need to do if we have a job that has to get done. My dad used to just work on Harleys, Brit/Euro bikes back in the day but now we work on everything from a 1930s UL to a 2010 Suzuki GSXR 1000 and everything in between.

[@cowdudeable]

So Ashly...You obviously know what you are talking about...so...about the question of stage one kits for 1200 Sportsters...what do you think?

[@petejohnson6921]

Beautiful! I have both of these bikes a 1969 A65L and a 1979 T140E Its always a pleasure to see a good looking woman on a good looking bike.

[@coltonwancho6571]

No need to keep pumping the tickler like that. Just hold it down until a bit of fuel comes out.

[@muller9215]

Not in my experience with British bikes, Colton. Always had to "tickle" the carb

[@coltonwancho6571]

@@muller9215 I build old bikes for a living. You find lot of the amal carbs tickler will need replacing b/c they will leak if the petcock is left on. I have found it from worn ticklers from pumping but don't get me wrong that's if you really ride your bike every day. Most people today don't ride there classics every day.

[@derekwhyle1884]

Muller the “tickler” is just a rod which depresses the carburettor float which then opens the fuel supply to the float chamber. Once the float chamber is full surplus fuel comes out of the tickler stem. Release the tickler and the float rises and cuts off the fuel supply. Colton is therefore quite correct the quickest way to fill the float chamber is to hold the tickler down. To ensure level filling of the float chambers Ideally this operation should be done with the carburettors upright not with the bike on its prop stand. Incidentally we were always told not to run the engine for too long with the machine on the prop stand as the “slope” can interfere with the oil supply to the high side of the engine. Sorry memories of 60 plus years ago come flooding back !

[@muller9215]

OK Thanks for the insight. it was long time ago but some things stick in the memory

[@davidspringer6883]

growing up Bonnevilles and Lightings were the bikes to have...there were a lot of two cycle enduros and 305 Honda CBs because they were cheap(er) oh yeah there were a couple of sportsters in town but they looked better than they ran (some things never change) I have had dozens of bikes over the years but would not mind having a late sixties Trumpet Bonnie, they were just FUN...and honestly Lucas electrics were only an upgrade when they worked, I will admit we spent plenty of time on the side of the road filing points or tracing a shorted wire on the English bikes...I had 441 Victor Special and picked up a 51 Hydro-Glide (tank shift and all) from a friend who was cash strapped...the term chopper came from the fact that the first thing anyone did , who wasn't a "dresser" is stripped as much off the bike as one could, they had a hinged rear fender to aid in removing the rear wheel, of course it made a good spot to remove the back half , instant bobber! she's great, actually knows what she is talking about!

[@thejerseyj1636]

Tight tank top, hip hugger jeans, long brown hair... Talk about classic beauty ! And she rides and knows British classics ? Oh man I enjoyed this video !!! P S, caught a glimpse of you without the sunglasses, lose them !

[@8153max]

I own both of those bikes at separate times in my younger days ... I loved them both ... also had me a 72 and 80 XS 650 Yamaha... I liked them too... all were great bikes

[@rodfryatt4266]

I bought one of those BSA's new in '69. Vibrated like a road breaker! Sold it and bought a BMW

[@chriscongemi2109]

I have a Harley 91 softail custom, but always loved the look of the BSA's and Triumph's. Next spring I will be looking for one just to have some fun and tool around town. Which bike do you consider more fun to ride???

[@BacardiMotoXStar43]

She says she personally prefers the BSA. She just picked up a 71 Norton Commando 750 yesterday that I think may give the BSA a run for it's money though! We will make a video for the Commando for sure!

[@chriscongemi2109]

Great looking foward to the video. Just pulled the trigger on a 76 triumph. Waiting on shipping. Going to be a fun riding season.