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« on: September 15, 2022, 07:20:05 AM » |
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« Last Edit: September 15, 2022, 07:56:48 AM by Britman »
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hubcapsc
Member
Posts: 16773
upstate
South Carolina
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« Reply #1 on: September 15, 2022, 07:50:15 AM » |
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« Reply #2 on: September 15, 2022, 07:58:07 AM » |
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No space and no skill - it's got Lucas Prince of Darkness wiring. |
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Jess from VA
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« Reply #3 on: September 15, 2022, 08:33:15 AM » |
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My first bike was a '70 Lightning. In blue.  I had been planning for a 250 Trophy since I was 12yo but when I got my license, I could afford the bigger bike.  |
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flsix
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« Reply #4 on: September 15, 2022, 09:34:58 AM » |
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Those bikes really had character. Just classic beauty.  |
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2013 F6B
ESCHEW OBFUSCATION
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Willow
Administrator
Member
Posts: 16601
Excessive comfort breeds weakness. PttP
Olathe, KS
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« Reply #5 on: September 15, 2022, 12:03:32 PM » |
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I too admired the BSA Lightning as a young person but those saddles have come a long way since then, haven't they?
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Jess from VA
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« Reply #6 on: September 15, 2022, 01:09:41 PM » |
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My 17yo bottom didn't know any better.  |
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TTG53#1717
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« Reply #7 on: September 15, 2022, 03:41:20 PM » |
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I passed my NJ MC DL test on a pals ‘68 Lightning. February ‘71
The NJDMV test guys were such sock tucking feather merchants. It was mid February with snow and slush.
Me and my “sponsor” rode 2up down to the test site and I was talking to the testing officer, while sitting stationary on the bike with the motor running, I lifted my goggles to see something more clearly and he immediately failed me for improper eye protection.
When I went inside to renew my permit I complained to an African American clerk lady and she took pity on the long hair hippie (me) and got me another test that day which I passed. God bless her.
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‘97 Standard Purple/White
‘13 XL Seventy Two
‘54 KHK
VRCC 1717
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RP#62
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« Reply #8 on: September 15, 2022, 03:52:17 PM » |
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I always liked the Triumph Daytona, until I saw a Vincent. I was in love even know that I could probably never afford one. One can dream though.
-RP
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Jess from VA
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« Reply #9 on: September 15, 2022, 04:58:59 PM » |
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I passed my NJ MC DL test on a pals ‘68 Lightning. February ‘71
When I got my '70 BSA Lightning (in '70), there was no separate MC drivers license endorsement required. When I renewed, I was grandfathered. When I was commissioned in the Air Force in 1984, I had to take and pass their MSF class, or push my bike to the gate. I passed (and was asked to become an instructor).
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Grandpot
Member
Posts: 630
Rolling Thunder South Carolina Chapter 1
Fort Mill, South Carolina
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« Reply #10 on: September 15, 2022, 05:36:03 PM » |
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Back then, British bikes were the best. I had a 650 Bonneville. It was 1 in 10,000. It started on the first kick every time and the electrical system worked.
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 Experience is recognizing the same mistake every time you make it. |
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DIGGER
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« Reply #11 on: September 16, 2022, 02:19:35 AM » |
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I graduated high school in 1968 and yes the BSA and Triumphs and Nortons at 650-750cc WERE the big bikes around town.....unless you had one of those old Harleys.....the British bikes of that era were considered great bikes....they also turned out some great motorcycle mechanics...due to necessity.'
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Jess from VA
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« Reply #12 on: September 16, 2022, 04:22:18 AM » |
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A distant but never forgotten memory of my Lightning (at 17) was after it was delivered and I spent a couple days teaching myself to ride it (bone rookie, and first time in a drivers seat), I had to take it to HS to show it off. This part worked out well, but when the end of the day came I was compelled by foolishness to show off by buzzing by the line of loading buses, goosed it in first in the greasy bus lane tire and oil slick, and did a low speed fall and slide in front of half the school.
This was a humbling experience. Much laughter ensued (for days). (no damage to bike or rider)
Pride goeth before the fall. Literally.
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signart
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« Reply #13 on: September 17, 2022, 06:01:33 AM » |
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I graduated high school in 1968 and yes the BSA and Triumphs and Nortons at 650-750cc WERE the big bikes around town.....unless you had one of those old Harleys.....the British bikes of that era were considered great bikes....they also turned out some great motorcycle mechanics...due to necessity.'
1969 changed all that. |
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pais
Member
Posts: 723
One more turn should do it!
Kent, Ohio
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« Reply #14 on: September 18, 2022, 04:28:03 AM » |
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My older brother had a 650 Lightning. Looked like the one Jess has pictured. The year of the bike I have no idea. Two things I know about BSA's or at least my Brother's BSA. One, don't touch it. Brother caught me sitting on it and kicked my ass around the yard. Told me if I told Mom or Dad, the next ass beating would be twice as bad. Two, the bike very seldom ran correctly, if at all. He and or a friend of his were always working on it. He loved them.
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« Last Edit: September 18, 2022, 08:19:44 AM by pais »
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Better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it!  |
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Jess from VA
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« Reply #15 on: September 18, 2022, 11:44:37 AM » |
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Mine had 1K miles when I got it and ran great. Then the clutch failed. Fixed. Good again. |
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