Saw a local post today on "scooters-for-sale" for a '71 BSA Lightning. Nothing really unusual about that, but he had a pic:
This fella's deceased father had a motorcycle shop and this was one of two junkers left in the back barn storage. Hadn't ran for 20 years. He wanted 2K. The tires still had air. That bike in running condition is barely worth 2K.
At that price there would have to be some love for a '71. First year they put the oil tank in the frame and had a modern, less desirable looking fuel tank. After 1972 Birmingham Small Arms ceased production, at least on this side of the pond.
But...the plot thickens....
The run-of-the-mill A65L (650cc Lightning) did not come with that color scheme. '71s were generally red. That particular color scheme (Etruscan Bronze with white bottom) was reserved for a run of approximately 200 A70L Lightnings. These babies had balanced cranks, hot cams and specially designed high-compression pistons with a close ratio tranny. They were all bought up by the flat-trackers and roundy-round racers of the day.
Although I'm not a HUGE beezer fan, I've owned a few and they're good bikes. This particular bike has become one of the holy grails of BSA collectors. I've heard stories of basket-cases going for 12K and up.
The seller didn't know the engine number (the tell-tale). He also said some guy in Akron (probably Baxter Cycles) was really interested. I told him I'd take it! I had to. I couldn't let THAT particular scooter slip through my pingers. If it's not an A70..I'll flip it for 200 bucks profit. It's worth the gamble.
He said he was looking for the title and would call me back within the hour. He never called. It's been 5 hours...and the ad has been removed...:-(
Sadly I'm afraid I didn't get this one. If I see an A70 on Baxter Cycle's website in a week or two...I'm really gonna have a chapped butt. :pinch:
Uncle Paden: Saw this and thought of you
Aloha, Uncle Paden: not exactly related to your post. I saw this image the other day. You were the first person I thought of!
http://www.gizmag.com/scorpion-trike-kit-convert-harley-reverse-three-wheeler/33380/
fancy!
They look really well-put-together. Probably a bit pricey for my budget, though.
I'll just have to live with two wheels and putting my feet down at red lights.;-)
fancy!
Indeed! It for sure looks pretty expensive!
> Although I'm not a HUGE beezer fan, I've owned a few and they're good bikes. This particular bike has become one of the holy grails of BSA collectors. I've heard stories of basket-cases going for 12K and up.
I feel your pain. Think of how much worse you'd feel if it had been a Vincent, though. :> I'd probably want to talk my way into the barn that BSA came out of to see what else might be there.
Well, there is this one in Waco ...
> I'd probably want to talk my way into the barn that BSA came out of to see what else might be there.
There was an old Ducati in there also. Already sold. The shop contents had previously been auctioned. This was apparently personal storage. The one clue that bugged me was the sideplate that would have read "750" was missing. All the other plates were there.
Oh, well. More fata morgana for an old fool...B-)
