BSA Lightning Bobber

[john83]

Doing a little window shopping on FB marketplace last week and ran across this hard tail BSA. The seller said he'd had it a few months and had been riding it but couldn't get it to start any more and it's not getting spark. The ad said he was interested in trades so I offered up my CB550. He liked it, we made a trade and here we are. She needs a few things but it's a good start. It's not getting spark and I think the Boyer ignition may actually be dead. While trying to remove the timing cover I discovered that someone forced a Harley kick pedal onto the kickstart shaft and buggered up the shaft. In what little spare time I have I'll start slowly getting it back to running condition.

 

[Rider52]

Should be a good project

 

[Hurco550]

I'm in. That thing has the best lines on any bobber I've seen in a hot minute.

 

[cbrianroll]

Right on man, dig it!

 

[porcelanowy]

Hello
Pipes looks loud and they should be
Very nice bob

 

[trek97]

Oh wow now that is neat looking.

 

[canyoncarver]

I dig it. That tank is the bomb.

 

[Maritime]

Nice, a little work and that could be amazing

 

[john83]

I dig it. That tank is the bomb.

Agreed. I think that whatever else goes on with this thing that tank has to stay.

 

[john83]

A little progress today. I managed to get the ignition to work and the Harley kick lever removed. The spark plugs are sparking when power is switched on and off, the Boyer troubleshooting guide says this is correct. The Boyer stator plate looks fine and I'm just waiting for my new kick lever to arrive so I can make sure it sparks when kicked over. I was aided by my two shop assistants.

 

[pidjones]

One looks alert. The other, content.

 

[porcelanowy]

Hello
Yeah, and both are loosing bolts and pieces like hell.
Keep them away because sometimes getting back a lost part can last a day or two and be a little stinky.
Unfortunately that is from my own experience...

 

[teazer]

That's an interesting bike. Hard tail conversion looks clean and well done. Mikuni cabrs with covers on is a nice touch. I get covers from plumbing section of the hardware store. Forks look like a more recent upgrade. Can't see what front brake is in there, but can't be much worse than stock BSA. I had a few back in the day and even the more popular ones were hardly something to write home about. Tank looks to be in great shape and overall looks like it could be a fun ride.

Not sure about the upside down clubman bars though. If they work, they work.

 

[john83]

Thanks. All the welds on the hard tail look pretty decent to me. I’m not sure what the forks came from either.

The bars are something that’s gotta go. I hate it when people flip clubmans upside down.


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[Maritime]

Ha

Thanks. All the welds on the hard tail look pretty decent to me. I’m not sure what the forks came from either.

The bars are something that’s gotta go. I hate it when people flip clubmans upside down.


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some people actually think that is how clubmans are supposed to mount.

 

[irk miller]

Those clubmans are actually not upside down. LOL. They are shifted forward, but the curve is supposed to go up and/or forward
.

 

[ex119x]

Thinking way back to when I worked in a shop that worked on those things, if you put an A-10 crank in A65 cases with 441 Victor pistons, you end up with a long stroke 850. It would have good torque but not many RPM and still hold together. Either smallish carbs or a single carb head would work great on a bobber.

 

[Rider52]

Back when I swore I would never own another BSA, a local guy had VW pistons in home made sleeves in his A65L. It was a bit over 800cc and was pretty damn quick. Mine on the other hand spent most of its time on the shop bench but was quick when it was running. Honestly, most of my bikes problems were cause by previous owners and ham fisted repairs. I was in Virginia last week and almost bought another A65. The temptation was strong but I have too many projects to add another at the moment.

 

[john83]

Hoping i get this one running easily without getting into the engine. Long term though, who knows? The frame would look good with some powder coat on it and if the engine is out of the frame… One thing at a time though.


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[irk miller]

Maybe a touch up of clearcoat on the frame and go with it for now. Nothing wrong with a little sweet patina until you decide to go full resto, if that ever happens.