Old Bikes... BSA A65

If I was interested in one of these what should I know?

OK, they leak oil and will feel really underbraked but apart from that
what are the downsides?

Naturally it's only a toy I'm looking for and something to feed my
looming mid-life crisis...

 

You probably need to know what I'd like to know.

Where you can get a complete one, in reasonable nick, that you can
afford.


Those seem to be my biggest problems.

 

I am no expert, but my 2d is: don't pay a premium for any special flavours
or other BS; try to pay pay less, because either it's fake, therefore
dodgy, or it will cost more to get the rest of the old POS back to original
and keep it running. Try and buy a dirty one.

 

Fancy this one?
http://www.btinternet.com/~roncobb/photoBSAlightning.html

 

Wrong year... and far too much money!

 

was seen penning the following ode to ... whatever:

British build quality and electrics by the Prince of Darkness,
mainly. Get one that's been rebuilt by someone who knows.

 

Tch! that means spending real money... I'd rather buy one cheap and pay
twice as much (in the long run) fixing it myself.

 

How is the H1, by the way?

--
| ___ Salad Dodger
|/ \
_/_____\_ GL1500SEV/CBR1100XXX/KH500A8/TS250C
|_\_____/_| ..62743../..14719.../..3157./.19406
(>|_|_|<) TPPFATUICG#7 DIAABTCOD#9 YTC#4 PM#5
|__|_|__| BOTAFOT #70 BOTAFOF #09 two#11 WG*
\ |^| / IbW#0 & KotIbW# BotTOS#6 GP#4
\|^|/ ANORAK#17
'^'

 

was seen penning the following ode to ... whatever:

.... and in the process, aquire a machine shop to rival Mr Eaton's.

 

Oh, the last time I used it it was fine. Mind you that was about two
years ago.

When did I ever try to stop you buying toys? What did I do to deserve
this unwarranted and unwanted interjection of good sense? Tch!

 

I've heard that the A50s are more reliable (understressed), cheaper (less
glamorous), yet deliver the same kicks, albeit with slightly less
performance. Bear in mind that none of these will greatly out-perform your
CB250RS.

 

You say that as if it's a bad thing.

 

Previously on ukrm, pseudoplatypus said...

Probably would outperform mine. 172,000 miles now. I'm itching to get it
over 200,000.

 

I'd not thought of an A50 (or an A7). It has to be an A10 or A65
really.

And re the performance, well whilst the top end might be more I doubt
I'd want to experience it often. Anyhow, where did I say I wanted to
ride it?

 

Badge it, then. No **** will be able to tell. Didn't Ged show up at an
EOSM on an A65 one year? You'll be smelling of wee next.

An ornament. Good decision.

 

Badge it, then. No **** will be able to tell. Didn't Ged show up at an
EOSM on an A65 one year? You'll be smelling of wee next.[/QUOTE]

Yes, he did.

And what's this 'next' business? I've smelt of wee for years. Or do
you mean my own since that would be a novel experience.

Garage Jewelry.

 

Yes, he did.

And what's this 'next' business? I've smelt of wee for years. Or do
you mean my own since that would be a novel experience.[/QUOTE]

Well, I was thinking Ged's.

Will you be able to fit it in?

 

Once I either:

a) sell the decrepit K100 - No fairing, brakes need attention, rear
shock gone but engine good (rebuilt recently)

b) build a garage extension

Yes.

 

I recall a couple of acquaintances having A65 and the earlier A10.
They both ended up changing main bearings and having the crankshaft
ground. This of course may have been more a symptom of shite
maintenance than an inherent fault. Mine dew IIRC the oil filtering on
most Brit Bikes of that era is quite crude so regular changes are
needed - although it's possible with some too convert to take a
cartridge filter.

650 Bonneville?

 

Using a high detergent oil to keep the crap in suspension when its
changed.

That's why, IIRC, diesel oil is the lubricant of choice for non T4
aircooled VWs.