Jim Lightning (for want of a more appropriate surname) could act as a stand-in for late Quo frontman Rick Parfitt, such is his likeness to the famous rock guitarist. But what rocks Jim’s silver locks these days are Small Heath unit twins; and the BSA Lightning to be more specific. This wasn’t always the case however, as Jim has owned umpteen BSA, Norton, and Triton motorcycles, and recently he restored a prize-winningVelocette Venom, as well as a trophy-accruing Norton ES2.
The stunning silver and black ‘Lightning’ seen hereabouts was restored from the ground up by ace mechanic Jim and restyled by his ‘show queen’ wife Liz, who shares Jim’s passion for all things glitter and chrome. However, this BSA is no trailer queen – despite its impressive haul of silverware, which Jim freely admits is credited to his wife’s design input. It’s actually a café racer that gets plenty of use, whether on trips to far-flungVMCC events or on back road burns to Jim’s favourite haunt,The Biker’s Cove in South Queensferry.
The bike once belonged to a family friend who stripped it with the intention of restoring it. However, the A65 ended up in boxes, accumulating rust and cobwebs in a farm shed over several years – hard to believe when we see it now!
Jim and Liz bought the bike around nine years ago and rebuilt it as a BSA (SRM) X65 look-alike, based on CraigVetter’s BSA Rocket 3 concept of 1969 (later rebranded as theTriumph Hurricane when a troubled BSA closed its doors). But Liz decided the X65’s minute petrol tank and Seventies styling was no longer her cup of tea. So the dynamic duo spent another three months rebuilding it from scratch, with genericTriton styling as an influencing factor...
CAFÉ RACER HEAVEN
To the team’s credit they came up with one superlative café racer that boasted an impressive and salivating spec sheet. Central to the new look was a polished Spitfire (type) alloy petrol tank, complete with modern centrally-positioned fuel cap, specially commissioned by creative guru Liz. Other distinguishing features are the bespoke café racer-style seat, Dunlop flanged alloy rims and a genuine late Fifties 4LS Robinson front brake (identified by 40 spokes according to Liz – modern copies have only 36).
SRM ENGINE MODS
I was amazed to learn that the BSA unit-construction engine has had a change of heart – namely a lightened and polished (alternator) A10 dynamically-balanced crankshaft that benefits from SRM’s renowned needle roller bearing and oil feed quill conversion – so quite a crank-full! Also present is a modern SRM barrel, resulting in a whopping 840cc to play with – hence this unique BSA’s 840cc side panel transfers.Top spec Omega op111 H/C BSA B44 type pistons are also fitted andmounted to steel cap racing con rods, the bore and stroke being 79.5 x 84mm (approx).
Following on, a high-capacity SRM oil pump keeps the engine happy and ticking, while a Nourish Spitfire type Z profile camshaft and chro-moly pushrods help to boost the BSA’s impressive power delivery well beyond factory imposed limits.
The high-spec continues: A gas-flowed cylinder head, polished and ported to within an inch of its life, 34mm inlets with SRM big inlet 43.5mm valves cosseted by Colsibro valve guides and lead-free compatible valve seats.The cylinder head also sports highly polished rockers and has an identical combustion chamber profile and piston crown as aV12 Jaguar. Much of the early head work was by SRM but all the later work was carried out by Jim and an auto-engineer friend.Twin Amal Mk2 34mm carburettors complete the remarkable top end.
The unit gearbox now houses a close-ratio gear cluster that Jim removed from another Beeza more than 30 years ago.Also fitted is a larger 23-tooth gear sprocket for improved top end power and a cleverly engineered drive chain tensioner in the interests of low maintenance, but long chain life.
An excellent competition Bob Newby clutch with belt drive and three ball actuator joined the list of expensive upgrades. Creative Liz came up with the eye-catching primary cover’s triple perforated air vents and clutch cooling air scoops (ingenious use of bathroom accessories I’ll wager), and the BSA rubber bung is perfectly positioned to allow easy adjustment of the inner six spring clutch screws without having to remove the outer casing.
FRAME&WHEELS
Continue reading your story on the app
Continue reading your story in the magazine
An A65 As We Wanted It
Jim and Liz knew just how they wanted their A65 Lightning to be
Norton Atlas 750
Hutch’s Norton Atlas 750 has been a good, solid workhorse – until some journalist had a little go on it and the clutch broke…
National Motorcycle Museum Live 2019
Getting more people to come to a museum must sometimes seem like a tricky affair, but the National Motorcycle Museum does it brilliantly. They let you in, for one day only, for free!
Coventry Eagle Flying 8
The little-known range topper of everyman bikes manufacturer, Coventry Eagle, has been a larger influence on biking than you may have thought. Rachel Clegg investigates...
Behind The Scenes Heroes The CRMC Scrutineers
With a variety of machinery to check, can we learn from the CRMC scrutineers?
Aermacchi Harley-Davidson
These Italian/American bikes have a lot to offer, and they don’t cost a fortune
Desert Stormer
It’s not a Nomad by name, but this Norton tourer has clocked up a quarter-million miles anyway
Utterly In Zane?
As a bargain-buy, high-performance classic, Laverda’s 750 superbike makes a strange kind of sense
Verdant Velo
Sporting sophistication for clubmen and commuters
Classic & Custom
MINDFUL THAT MARCH in Scotland can mean ice, blizzards, floods or brilliant sunshine, the Scottish Motorcycle Show is now mainly contained in three large, heated halls.
JIM LORIMER: THE PASSING OF AN ICON
On Thanksgiving Day of 2022, we lost the man who made the Arnold Classic possible, Jim Lorimer, at the age of 96.
Shrinking
Anyone who wished their psychiatrist would stop asking, \"How does that make you feel?\" and just tell them what to do would be wise to book an hour with Jimmy Laird (a sensitive Jason Segel).
GOINGS ON ABOUT TOWN
The Public’s Under the Radar, now in its eighteenth installment, is a lively showcase of experimental performance. Last year’s edition was scuttled by the Omicron surge, but the festival returns, through Jan. 22, with work contemplating desire, loss, queerness, chain restaurants, and King Leopold II. Among the offerings: LatinXoxo,” by the Venezuelan-born performance artist Migguel Anggelo above), who uses Spanish boleros, comedy, and pop songs to subvert Latin-lover tropes and his own father’s machismo.
The Atelier
Atelier; the creative space where the artisan spirit dwells to produce a body of work that transforms lives.
The Group Portrait: Bookforum Was a Good Magazine
After 28 years, a beloved hub of literary New York closes its doors.
My Two Cents A Message From The Editor
Welcome to the January issue of Diversity Rules Magazine. The start of another year is upon us, and we can only hope it brings peace and contentment, after so many years of turbulence, fear, and worry.
JIMMY STEWART - His WONDERFUL LIFE
AFTER YEARS SPENT CHASING STARDOM, THE BELOVED ACTOR FOUND HIS CALLING AS A HUSBAND AND FATHER
Transformations 2023 Stronger, Faster, Better Together
As the members of FitLit Club know, no one makes big changes alone. The world-famous rappers joined forces to transform their lives for the better. Their stories, and four more, show how teamwork can unlock our true potential.
How to Turn Chaos Into Cash
Tip Sheet
Soul Journey
A Book By Jim Koury