British Iron circa 1965
Dec 29, 2019 07:39:12 #
This was my BSA "Lightning A65" A 650cc twin. It was fast for those days (112mph)
and heavy not a particularly safe combination as it had cable operated drum brakes, but, by the Grace of God, I survived.
The picture was taken in 1966, after it had received some modification, with a Polaroid Land Camera and scanned a few years ago.
Graham
Edit: The BSA A65 was the bike fitted with missiles and used in the James bond film "Thunderball"
and heavy not a particularly safe combination as it had cable operated drum brakes, but, by the Grace of God, I survived.
The picture was taken in 1966, after it had received some modification, with a Polaroid Land Camera and scanned a few years ago.
Graham
Edit: The BSA A65 was the bike fitted with missiles and used in the James bond film "Thunderball"
Dec 29, 2019 08:01:38 #
"Iron" sounds about right. Weight-saving alloys were a rare novelty in those days. But the bikes had much more character IMO. And no, I'm not referring to the oil leaks and lack of an electric starter motor 
.
.Dec 29, 2019 08:13:21 #
R.G. wrote:
"Iron" sounds about right. Weight-saving alloys were a rare novelty in those days. But the bikes had much more character IMO. And no, I'm not referring to the oil leaks and lack of an electric starter motor .
.When starting it and the pedal kicked back and caught your shin is what gave the motorcyclist character
Dec 29, 2019 08:22:27 #
Graham Smith wrote:
When starting it and the pedal kicked back and caught your shin is what gave the motorcyclist character
It was either that or do a somersault over the handlebars
. Would I be right in thinking your modification was the two-into-one exhaust?Dec 29, 2019 08:56:12 #
Graham Smith wrote:
This was my BSA "Lightning A65" A 650cc twin. It was fast for those days (112mph)
and heavy not a particularly safe combination as it had cable operated drum brakes, but, by the Grace of God, I survived.
The picture was taken in 1966, after it had received some modification, with a Polaroid Land Camera and scanned a few years ago.
Graham
Edit: The BSA A65 was the bike fitted with missiles and used in the James bond film "Thunderball"
and heavy not a particularly safe combination as it had cable operated drum brakes, but, by the Grace of God, I survived.
The picture was taken in 1966, after it had received some modification, with a Polaroid Land Camera and scanned a few years ago.
Graham
Edit: The BSA A65 was the bike fitted with missiles and used in the James bond film "Thunderball"
Thank you for posting that as it brought back a funny memory. The first motorcycle I tried to ride (back in '59) was a 500cc single cylinder BSA. I had no idea of what I was about to do and let out the clutch far too quick. I was on my back in less than a micro sec.
PS: I have a picture somewhere of my '72 Honda 450. They could be cousins from how similar they look
Dec 29, 2019 09:09:39 #
R.G. wrote:
It was either that or do a somersault over the handlebars . Would I be right in thinking your modification was the two-into-one exhaust?
. Would I be right in thinking your modification was the two-into-one exhaust?Yes, that was one mod, another was a Spitfire camshaft and later an ali fuel tank.
Dec 30, 2019 12:30:09 #
Many years ago a friend who was quite fearless,
possibly foolishly fearless, bike-wise ... road as
passenger on another hunk of Brit Iron. It was
a "demo" ride, to show what a balls-to-the-wall
experience can be had on a Norton Commando.
He declared as THAT ride was the ONLY time he
had EVER felt fear when riding. He was SHOOK !
But he could only wish that he could afford one :-(
"Borrowed" online pic, not mine ... ENJOY !
-
possibly foolishly fearless, bike-wise ... road as
passenger on another hunk of Brit Iron. It was
a "demo" ride, to show what a balls-to-the-wall
experience can be had on a Norton Commando.
He declared as THAT ride was the ONLY time he
had EVER felt fear when riding. He was SHOOK !
But he could only wish that he could afford one :-(
"Borrowed" online pic, not mine ... ENJOY !
-
Dec 30, 2019 13:47:17 #
Didn’t realise you were a cafe racer Graham. Mine was a Clubmans Velo - I couldn’t stand the vibration of the parallel twins! Had one again in later life and did some serious miles on it. Unfortunately no more but I’m still a member of the VMCC and The Scott Owners Club - vintage Scott’s being my other biker weakness despite their cylinder layout. Your A65 was a lovely looking chunk, and certainly quick in its time. A nice shot too.
Dec 30, 2019 13:57:28 #
Ah yes, that was the day. Buy a British bike and have your fillings vibrated out, buy a Harley and have oil stains all over your living room rug. Had a Tiger Cub for a while in Homestead, Florida it gave a whole new meaning to "Happy Motorcyclist". Ever hit a Palmetto bug at 60 mph? 
Dec 30, 2019 17:41:28 #
Curmudgeon wrote:
Ah yes, that was the day. Buy a British
bike and have your fillings vibrated out,
buy a Harley and have oil stains all over
your living room rug. Had a Tiger Cub
for a while in Homestead, Florida it gave
a whole new meaning to "Happy
Motorcyclist". Ever hit a Palmetto bug
at 60 mph?
Ah yes, that was the day. Buy a British
bike and have your fillings vibrated out,
buy a Harley and have oil stains all over
your living room rug. Had a Tiger Cub
for a while in Homestead, Florida it gave
a whole new meaning to "Happy
Motorcyclist". Ever hit a Palmetto bug
at 60 mph?
Hit a june bug with my face at 110.
No helmet required cuz it was a four
wheeler with folding windshield. Did
find the little bugger on the floor, so
I do know it wasn't gravel, but sure
did feel like a stone at the time.
Yes, real 110 mph, by the tach. Had
no speedo cuz Chevy V8 driveline in
an Austin Healey 100-4. Real dumb !
Dec 30, 2019 20:11:41 #
Graham Smith wrote:
This was my BSA "Lightning A65" A 650cc twin. It was fast for those days (112mph)
and heavy not a particularly safe combination as it had cable operated drum brakes, but, by the Grace of God, I survived.
The picture was taken in 1966, after it had received some modification, with a Polaroid Land Camera and scanned a few years ago.
Graham
Edit: The BSA A65 was the bike fitted with missiles and used in the James bond film "Thunderball"
and heavy not a particularly safe combination as it had cable operated drum brakes, but, by the Grace of God, I survived.
The picture was taken in 1966, after it had received some modification, with a Polaroid Land Camera and scanned a few years ago.
Graham
Edit: The BSA A65 was the bike fitted with missiles and used in the James bond film "Thunderball"
Graham, Thanks for posting, I reminded me of my 1973 850 Norton Commando. I had it for 31 years. It was the love of my life....Here is the day I bought it and the day I sold it.....
Dec 31, 2019 18:39:38 #
Graham Smith wrote:
This was my BSA "Lightning A65" A 650cc twin. It was fast for those days (112mph)
and heavy not a particularly safe combination as it had cable operated drum brakes, but, by the Grace of God, I survived.
The picture was taken in 1966, after it had received some modification, with a Polaroid Land Camera and scanned a few years ago.
Graham
Edit: The BSA A65 was the bike fitted with missiles and used in the James bond film "Thunderball"
and heavy not a particularly safe combination as it had cable operated drum brakes, but, by the Grace of God, I survived.
The picture was taken in 1966, after it had received some modification, with a Polaroid Land Camera and scanned a few years ago.
Graham
Edit: The BSA A65 was the bike fitted with missiles and used in the James bond film "Thunderball"
It brings us all back to a time when "doing the ton" was a big thing. (100mph). I suppose it is still a fast speed on two wheels. I've done it on a bike at a track day or two; but going that fast on public roads is a different matter. Very cool bike and I'm glad you were not injured. Do you still have the bike? Did you get to keep the rocket launchers?
Erich
Jan 8, 2020 07:06:41 #
ebrunner wrote:
It brings us all back to a time when "doing the ton" was a big thing. (100mph). I suppose it is still a fast speed on two wheels. I've done it on a bike at a track day or two; but going that fast on public roads is a different matter. Very cool bike and I'm glad you were not injured. Do you still have the bike? Did you get to keep the rocket launchers?
Erich
Erich
Makes me feel good, getting my Honda 90 up to 70. Slight downhill, however. Wasn't a big bike, but it got me around for fun.
Jan 8, 2020 10:04:11 #
wow! what a bike. I have always wondered what you have been using for a tripod all these years, now I know.
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