BSA 650 Lightning

[Revis]

This bike is more of a restoration than a chop or bob, but it is already bobbed out to a certain degree, so i figured I would share it with everyone. I'm a little new with this forum so don't pick me apart for idiocy ;D
Just to give you a little background on the bike.
I got it from my father, it used to be his daily rider/wheelie machine. And I guess back in '93 he Melted a valve.

Thats me on it when I was a youngin'

So after that happened I guess he fully rebuilt the topend, new pistons, heads, valves, rockers, pushrods, the whole bit. And during the rebuild he somehow cracked the case right where the crankshaft bushings are, so he stopped and never finished it.

But although he never finished it he got lots and lots of engine parts for it, including 2 other sets of cases + covers and a whole other engine. But never got around to finishing it. So now I'm rebuilding it and I'm left with a whole lot of engine parts, and not many parts of the frame.

So I took this engine and decided to run with the cases from it. But I'm not exactly a british head so I don't know too much about these engines, But I've worked with motorcycles and engines for years. So give me on some critiques and guide me in the right direction if you see me doing something stupid . First thing being telling the life story.
Before:

After:

So far I've polished the cases and I'm choosing the best looking covers to put on, After that I might tear the rebuilt engine down and work with it.

 

[Revis]

Also, here are some pictures of the frame. I don't really know what I don't have yet. But I have most of it. I'm pretty sure I'm just missing a few things like the original seat, handlebars, gauges, headlight, blinkers, rear fender, exhaust pipes, etc. But in good time I can either look deeper into the pile of parts in my barn or order new parts.

 

[dcwp]

Looks cool and a great story too! Can't wait to see where this thing goes.

Dan

 

[Basement rat]

If you need parts, I know where to get some...

These are just his complete BSA's.

 

[88]

Welcome, which ever way you take it, its going to be a beautiful thing. You can't buy a bike with family history like that and its very cool that you have the opportunity to rebuild such a shit hot bike. Good luck and keep us updated.

ps Rat, that barn makes my mouth water every time I see it, lucky for my wife we live half a world away!

 

[Hoosier Daddy]

Gotta keep an eye on this one!

 

[Terry]

The guys over at the Jockey Journal forum could be a real resource for you, lots of Brit-heads over there. Just be sure to do an introduction before your first post as they are very picky about that, but they seem to be great guys with lots of archane voodoo for these engines. Oh, and no posts on Jap bikes ever!

Terry
J'ville, Fl.

 

[Speedfiend]

Looks good so far. If you need a parts or service manual I have them on file and can email em to ya.

 

[Revis]

It would be nice for a parts manual. I got service manuals for anything imaginable. My dad was a pack rat. But what do you think the gauges, seat and rear fender would run me? Plus I need to find a way to wire up this bad boy since we have to start from scratch. I got a battery eliminator that I found in a random Triumph part box in my barn. I just need some type of diagram to see how to hook things up. But I'm nowhere near trying to do wiring lol. Right now I need to find where the hell he put the british tools and I'm going to have a buddy of mine that just finished his '71 chevelle start doing body work to my frame. I might have a picture update soon on my covers.

I also have another constant update. I did a while back for my friends watching me rebuild my panhead. A shopcam. So they could talk to me while I was rebuilding it. So I got my cam up always so anyone can watch the build. It's on 24/7

www.mebeam.com/revis

 

[Speedfiend]

You've got mail.

And heres the wiring diagram ( neg. ground) I used for my BSA. I don't like battery eliminators. They make for a dim head light when your stopped at a light and they won't work w/ EI.

http://www.britcycle.com/Manuals/331NegGrdInst.pdf

 

[Represto]

Good story! Can't wait to see how it works out.

 

[Revis]

Thanks for the diagram!
Yeah right now I'm still polishing covers and cases. Then I will start on frame after a nice coat of black. The theme is black and chrome, I was thinking of flat black but... I will go with gloss.

 

[Speedfiend]

Did the manual go thru on your email?

 

[Revis]

yeah I got it. I just have to go buy more computer paper. I have been on and off on the camera now but I'm keeping it on now.

 

[Revis]

What do you guys think of some clubman bars, I really like the design of them and the pointed look. IF not make some suggestions.

 

[triumphrider74]

I always like clubmans on a BSA. It might depend on your plans for the fork, though.

Are you going back to stock or back to the way your dad had it?

I dig the pictures with him on it. It reminds me of this Von Dutch Triumph.
http://www.bikeexif.com/von-dutch-triumph

 

[Revis]

They are staying the same. I think I will go with the clubmans. Now I need to find Gauges.

WOW. Gauge set on ebay is around $300. Not to sound poor but I can't get a job and I kind of have a budget of $636 from graduation :-\. SO I'm trying to find things cheap.

Q: Will any type of gauge work with my engine? Or is it strict to the british type cables and gauges? If so can anybody find me something cheap. Right now I'm basically hunting for my whole handlebar setup. Gauges, grips, etc. If anybody can find me any deals I can use paypal.

 

[triumphrider74]

They are staying the same. I think I will go with the clubmans. Now I need to find Gauges.

WOW. Gauge set on ebay is around $300. Not to sound poor but I can't get a job and I kind of have a budget of $636 from graduation :-\. SO I'm trying to find things cheap.

Q: Will any type of gauge work with my engine? Or is it strict to the british type cables and gauges? If so can anybody find me something cheap. Right now I'm basically hunting for my whole handlebar setup. Gauges, grips, etc. If anybody can find me any deals I can use paypal.

$300 is cheap if they are Smith's (OEM). There are some companies that specialize in rebuilding Smith's clocks that charge $150-200 per. http://www.joellevinecompany.com/default.asp

As far as other gauge options for british bikes, I am not sure. I'll try to find out.

The british parts supplier I've always used is Klempfs. They can supply all the controls you need. Here is their website. http://www.klempfsbritishparts.com/

 

[Revis]

Well I looked and I have another Norton in a matchless frame. Thats all my dad told me. So I don't really know the model but I know it's got a stomp shifter. So you stomp down to shift up. Thats got both the original smiths gauges on them, but all that needs is the tires put back on it. Funny story with that too. He went to slow down for a turn and went to shift down and got thrown forward into a telephone pole. Bent the forks, got new forks, never put the wheels back on. They sit in my barn. Thats a project for another day though.

BUT. If i can just throw some honda gauges on there for now to have her ready to run, later I can buy originals.

 

[triumphrider74]

Post some pics of that baby!!

That is a funny story. Every time I jump on a modern bike it hardly ever fails. I go to hit the brake and end up downshifting. It's a challenge to go from english to others and back.

I'm not sure that Norton Smiths would read accurate on a BSA. Here's link to a reference guide to what model smiths were used on different years and makes of brit bikes. On the right is the menu for the bike make. http://www.raskcycle.com/techtip/p24.html

Here's a source for Smiths copies. Almost to the bottom of the page (#81-5102 and 03). $128 for the set.
http://www.northerneagle.ca/triumph%20Chassis%204.htm

Hope that's useful info.

Russell