Description
Originally, BSA (Birmingham Small Arms) started out in 1861 as a weapons factory.
The company also reportedly produced bicycles from about 1869, an obvious basis for what would lead to the first motorcycle in the early 1900s, at least a frame that could accommodate a ‘minerva type’ engine. The first true BSA motorcycle was presented at the Olympia Show in London in October 1910. It was constructed in the manner common at the time: a single-cylinder side-valve engine without rear suspension, clutch or gearbox, but with a parallelogram fork at the front.
In 1965 the production of the BSA Lightning began, made known to the public through the James Bond movie Thunderball, a 650 cc motorcycle with 2 cylinders and ditto carburettors, coupled to a 4-speed gearbox, used as an all-round sports model, mainly intended for the US market. Production ran until 1972, the year our Lightning was first registered, one of the last. The advantage of this late copy is that it had some updates such as a balanced exhaust and improved front brakes.
The BSA comes from Colorado and is in well-maintained and used condition. The fact that the motorcycle was never restored makes it extra beautiful, precisely because of its (minimal) signs of use. The engine starts and runs, but it has stood still in recent years, so some love beforehand is recommended. The paint is good, probably original, but not perfect, the same applies to the chrome, in good condition but not perfect. You would wish that all motorcycles of this age stood like this, not restored, a wrinkle here and there, pure enjoyment.
