This 1968 BSA A65L Lightning was repainted in red with chrome trim before it was acquired by the seller on BaT in May 2023. Its air-cooled, overbored 654cc OHV parallel-twin was rebuilt by Triumph Classic Motorcycles of Costa Mesa, California, in August 2026, and power is delivered to the rear wheel through a replacement clutch kit and a right-side-shifted four-speed gearbox. The bike is further equipped with a kick starter, a pair of Amal Premier carburetors, an SRM Classic Bikes oil pump and billet sump plate, a chrome-finished dual exhaust system, replacement fork gaiters and rear shocks, drum brakes, wire-spoke wheels, a re-lined fuel tank, a chrome rear grab bar, folding passenger foot pegs, chrome side panels and fenders, a black vinyl two-up seat with a BSA insignia, and both center and side stands. This A65L is offered at no reserve with a Haynes repair manual, engine rebuild records and photos, and a clean California title in the seller’s name.
The bike features a 3.25-gallon fuel tank that was refinished in red with white stripes under previous ownership, and the seller tells us that it was re-lined and fitted with a replacement cap under current ownership. Additional details include a chrome rear grab bar, folding passenger foot pegs, Lightning graphics, chrome side panels and fenders, BSA sunburst badges, a black vinyl two-up seat with a BSA insignia, and both center and side stands. Additional work under current ownership is said to have involved replacing the seat trim and front foot peg rubbers as well as re-plating the kick start lever in chrome.
Wire-spoke wheels measuring 19″ up front and 18″ at the rear were mounted with Dunlop K70 tires in March 2023. Suspension consists of a telescopic fork with replacement accordion gaiters in addition to a pair of replacement shrouded shocks attached to the swingarm. Braking is provided by drums at both ends, the front of which features a ventilated twin leading-shoe design.
A chrome handlebar carrying cushioned barrel-style grips, a replacement left-side mirror, and a dual cable throttle assembly is clamped by pullback risers, which frame the adjustment knob for a friction-plate damper positioned beneath the steering stem. Instrumentation consists of a 150-mph Smiths speedometer, a matching 10k-rpm tachometer, and a Lucas ammeter recessed atop the chrome headlight bucket. The seller notes that the gauge mounting boots were replaced under current ownership, at which time their positions were reverted to their factory locations. The five-digit odometer shows 11k miles and is inaccurate according to the seller, thus, total mileage is unknown. The seller has recorded that the bike has been ridden 100 miles since the completion of the engine rebuild.
The air-cooled 654cc OHV parallel twin was overbored under previous ownership, at which time it was fitted with replacement pistons and a Vape Micro-Mk1 electronic ignition module. The seller tells us that the engine failed approximately 400 miles after purchase in 2023, and a 2026 engine rebuild by Triumph Classic Motorcycles of Costa Mesa, California, involved installing a blueprinted rotating assembly, an SRM Classic Bikes oil pump and billet sump plate, and replacement oil and fuel lines. Installed in 2023, the Amal Premier 30mm carburetors were reportedly inspected and fitted with re-routed throttle cables in 2026.
Power is routed to the rear wheel through a replacement clutch, a right-side-shifted four-speed gearbox, and a drive chain.
The number A65LB9883 stamped on the engine case matches the number stamped on the frame, an image of which can be viewed in the gallery along with photos taken during various stages of the engine rebuild.