Vehicle Description
1968 BSA Lightning Motorcycle
Bond....James Bond, at some points seemingly had the whole
underground world after him and the Thunderbolt movie was no
exception. In this film, henchwoman Fiona Volpe, (which is Italian
for Fox ), seduces Bond and then holds him captive at gunpoint. He
escapes, but prior to this there is a firing of missiles from a BSA
to kill fellow operative Count Lippe. Bond is later seen in a dance
scene and turns Fiona into the path of an oncoming bullet with a
dip, and she's killed instantly. The BSA's screen debut!
Called BSA after the Birmingham Small Arms company this most
sought-after model was definitely the "IT" bike of the late 1960's.
With 650cc's and plenty of extra chromed parts it came in either
gold or red accenting. Our consignment was purchased from a
Harrisburg Mecum Auction by the consigner who became the bike's
second owner. It was restored to concours condition and all
buttoned up to spit spot shape . A cracking bike Wallace!
In studying the exterior visual of this sought after bike, you'll
notice that everything has been rebuilt or re-chromed to exacting
specifications. The correct red is peppering the mostly newly
chrome plated parts, and right down to the badging and correct tank
badges are adhered to the bike. You'll notice between the
handlebars are a speedo and tachometer which have been fully
restored which comes at a great expense. The seat is black leather
and has also been restored to perfection. Chromed fenders have
black coated forks for the front suspension, and on back are coil
springs over shock absorbers. 19 inch wire wheels are wrapped with
like new low mileage skins. All like new and all ready for a
capable rocker to fire off his missiles.
650cc's are now sporting new valve guides, springs, pistons, rod
bearings and small end bushings which are of key importance. A
Boyer ignition is now on, and a neat feature of this bike is if you
are found to be out and the battery is spent, you can bypass it and
just use the alternator going directly to the coils, to start the
bike. All this adds ups to the attainable "Ton" allowing you to
easily cruise with traffic and then some. Feeding this engine are
dual 1 barrel Amal carbs, and power goes through a 4-speed
transmission. Front telescoping forks with hydraulic shocks, and a
rear swing arm with a coil spring provide the ride, drum braking
brings it to a halt. Dual exhaust flows through shiny pipes on
either side. In Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance Robert
Pirsing writes, "it is the sides of the mountain which sustain life
not the top".
A much sought-after model, classic in its own right and all
restored to concours condition, as close to perfection as one can
get. Not Japanese, not American but decidedly British and worth
every pound, this bike rides like a dream, handles well, and is
conducive to taking along a partner. I guess if you can read the
back of my shirt, she has fallen off! Come in for a serious look
and even take it for a ride, and you'll be impressed, (If the chain
don't break Motorcycle Mamma). Cheerio!
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 650 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia
on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is
www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914.
Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the
vehicle in person.
