Bike puchase question

[Neil]

Hello everyone, I thought I'd tap into the members collective knowledge of vintage bikes. A young mechanic friend of mine saw a listing for a 1967 BSA Lightning 650 listed on Marketplace. I'm asking for him, is it worth anywhere near the asking price, what should he look out for, etc. The listing is at: https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1015423160909576?ref=search&referral_code=null&referral_story_type=post&tracking=browse_serp%3A162d7cca-10d9-4dff-806f-224e44cacb4e.
It's listed at $4000, has 10,000 miles, is apparently registered, "is in running condition", " starts, runs, shifts, and rides", "great rider or restoration candidate" . Should he even consider this, run away, dicker on the price, or something else. Based on similar posts, I'm guessing that in spite of running and being registered, he might have to replace tires, other rubber parts, battery, change fluids, among other things, I have no connection to the bike or seller, just trying to get info for my friend.  Thanks.

[DenverSteve]

I wouldn't purchase anything on Marketplace without visiting and inspecting it in person.  That's when I would inspect it and evaluate the overall condition and decide if it was worth the asking price - in it's current condition - or not.  If your friend isn't a BSA expert, taking one with them, or having the seller take it to a local British bike mechanic for an evaluation would be my suggestion.  Anyone not willing to take a motor vehicle for evaluation isn't worth dealing with for me.

[PeteS]

Price seems double what its worth. BSAs unlike Nortons and Triumphs have plain crankshaft bearings. Engine rebuilds can be much more complicated than just swapping out bearings. No idea who works on these any more. Best try and locate someone who is more familiar with these before jumping in.

Pete

[Dave Swanson]

That one is a rough cobbled up mess.  1000 would be too much.

[PeteS]

Not sure about cobbled up. Looks mostly original save the taillight location. Tires even appear original or at least original type but I agree the price is out of whack.


Pete

[nc43bsa]

I've seen Lightnings in worse condition sell for about that price.  I agree that someone without BSA experience available to them should steer clear.

The worst point to me is the hacked up rear fender.  And the A65 only has a plain bushing on the right end of the crank;  the left end has a ball bearing.

The dealer decals on the side covers are a nice touch.

[Dr. Enzo Toma]

Does he already own Whitworth/BSF tools? If not, that's one other little thing to factor in.

[Ncdan]

Personally, I would have to come to terms with “what would I actually have after I invested thousands on that particular bike”?
At best it would be a garage ornament, that for the most part, would only be good for barhopping or going to antique auto/bike shows.
I love those old BSA’s and triumphs but not good enough to put thousands of dollars in one. JMHO.

[Dave Swanson]

Calling it a "cobbled up mess" was a bit harsh on my part.   Lets just say it looks like an ambitious project.   There is nothing special about a 67 Lightning therefore if your friend spends $3000 sorting it out, it will still only be worth 3 to 4K max.

This rare gray frame Thunderbolt looks to be a well cared for machine and has been for sale for a one year for $3000.  I happen to love gray frame BSAs.  They are quite rare in the USA and everywhere else for that matter. 

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/562637812987021/?ref=saved&referral_code=null

[Vagrant]

If you want to put it in the den as a collectors piece, fine. But if you are expecting to ride it look elsewhere. I bought a brand new one in 1966. The rear fender vibrated in 1/2 in 3000 miles. Then again so did the rest of the bike.

[rocker59]

If you pal is not a mechanic, recommend he buy a new Royal Enfield and call it a day.

[Tkelly]

In 1965 Ibought a 63 Honda 300 Dream for 470$,or around 4500$ in today’s money,a lightning ,, probably cost 1000$ ,10000 $ in today’s money.If I had a choice back then to buy a 400$ BSA or a Honda Dream,no question ,the cool BSA.Ask some knicks fans if they wished they had that BSA instead of last nights ticket.If someone is interested in that bike he is not planning to ride around the world or show off at bike shows,he wants to ride.That bike is way cooler than any Triumph or BMW or Nortonof that era.There is a multi brand dealer in StLouis who used to sell Guzzis who has a BSA museum in a corner of the store with beautiful bike that he and his wife raced with photos and trophies.If it runs ok buy it and change the oil periodically and fix it if it breaks.

[DenverSteve]

If you pal is not a mechanic, recommend he buy a new Royal Enfield and call it a day.

Not disagreeing completely but I would never opt for a Royal Enfield over an original BSA.  The old, used BSA has cache and panache and a book value rivaling that of a new RE.  If I were riding, and choosing between the two, it would be the BSA.

[nc43bsa]

Not disagreeing completely but I would never opt for a Royal Enfield over an original BSA.  The old, used BSA has cache and panache and a book value rivaling that of a new RE.  If I were riding, and choosing between the two, it would be the BSA.

Not to mention that parts for that BSA are more readily available now than they were when it was new.

[kingoffleece]

You better be a good mechanic if you buy it.

[Tkelly]

Buyer is a young mechanic so he knows what he is up against.Lots of guys back then learned how to fix their bikes,good for him.

[kingoffleece]

He better be.  As I recall all our early 70's bikes from the Uk needed constant attention.

[larrys]

Prices for Brit bikes have fallen quite a bit in the last few years. Beezers were never as popular as Triumphs back when I rode them and they needed more maintenance than a Triumph, if such a thing is possible. It'll have to go way cheaper than $4K.
Larry

[moto-uno]

  I bought a new BSA Lightening in 1969 , 5 years later I entered into the motorcycle mechanics apprenticeship program in Ontario !
  I believe that pretty much sums up British motorcycles ( not just BSA's) , Oh , and by the way I'd progressed up to a Rocket 3 a year before the
  mechanics program ( youth  ) .

[Neil]

Thanks for the replies so far. I'll pass along the info. Anyone else, please feel free to chime in.

[rocker59]

He better be.  As I recall all our early 70's bikes from the Uk needed constant attention.

Yeah, the Norton guys I know have maintenance schedules like helicopter mechanics. 

[Tkelly]

Dick the MNPotter rode his Norton across Canada to Newfoundland and back for a Norton rally a few years ago,had no problems other than having to stay in his tent for a couple days on the Labrador highway until the rain stopped.