The BSA A65R (Thunderbolt) motorcycle was produced from 1964 to 1972, and was marketed in Europe as the Lightning and in the US as the A65T/R. The bike features a four-stroke, parallel-twin cylinder engine with a capacity of 654 cc and a compression ratio of 9.0:1. It has a 2-into-1 exhaust system and is equipped with a twin coil ignition and Champion N4 spark plugs.
The bike uses a dry sump lubrication system with SAE 20W/50 oil and has a 4-speed transmission with a multi-plate clutch and built-in cush drive. The bike’s frame is made of steel tubing and features telescopic forks with coil springs, while the rear suspension is coil spring/hydraulically damped. The brakes are drums, with a front diameter of 20.32 cm and a rear diameter of 17.78 cm. The bike has steel wire-spoked wheels with front and rear rims of WM2-18 and front and rear tires of 3.25 x 18 in. and 3.50 x 18 in., respectively. The bike’s dimensions are 2060 mm x 711 mm x 1010 mm (L x W x H), with a wheelbase of 1370 mm, ground clearance of 178 mm, and wet weight of 177 kg. The bike has a fuel capacity of 18 L in Europe and 9 L in the US, and an average fuel consumption of 4.7 L/100 km. The bike can reach a top speed of 174 km/h or 108 mph.
Technical specifications:
Make Model: BSA A65 Thunderbolt
| Model | BSA A65R and Lightning (European market) BSA A65T/R (US market) |
|---|---|
| Year | 1964 – 72 |
| Engine | Four stroke, parallel twin cylinder, OHV |
| Capacity | 654 cc / 39.9 cub in. |
| Bore x Stroke | 75 x 74 mm |
| Carburetors | Amal monobloc 389/67 |
| Cooling System | Air cooled |
| Compression Ratio | 9.0:1 |
| Lubrication | Dry sump |
| Engine Oil | SAE 20W/50 |
| Oil Capacity | 3 L / 5 pints / 0.79 US gal |
| Exhaust | 2-into-1 |
| Ignition | Twin coil |
| Spark Plug | Champion N4 |
| Battery | 2 x 12V, 10 a.h., Lucas RM19 |
| Starting | Kick start |
| Max Power | 35.8 kW / 49 hp @ 7000 rpm |
| Clutch | Multi-plate with bult-in cush drive |
| Transmission | 4 Speed |
| Final Drive | Chain |
| Gear Ratio | 1st 11.49 / 2nd 7.32 / 3rd 5.24 / 4th 4.58:1 |
| Frame | Steel tubing, cradle |
| Front Suspension | Telescopic forks with coil spring – hydraulically damped |
| Rear Suspension | Coil spring/hydraulically damped |
| Front Brakes | 20.32 cm / 8 in., drum |
| Rear Brakes | 17.78 cm / 7In., drum |
| Wheels | Steel, wire spokes |
| Front Rim | WM2-18 |
| Rear Rim | WM2-18 |
| Front Tyre | 3.25 x 18 in., ribbed |
| Rear Tyre | 3.50 x 18 in., K70 |
| Dimensions | Length: 2060 mm / 81.0 in Width: 711 mm / 28 in Height: 1010 mm / 39.8 in |
| Wheelbase | 1370 mm / 54.5 in. |
| Ground Clearance | 178 mm / 7.0 in. |
| Seat Height | 813 mm / 32 in. |
| Wet Weight | 177 kg / 397 lbs |
| Fuel Capacity | Europe:18 L / 4.8 US gal US: 9 L / 2 US gal |
| Average Consumption | 4.7 L/100 km / 21.3 km/l / 50 mpg |
| Top Speed | 174 km/h / 108 mph |
