Look what I saw at the gas station today

[Jeff]

As I was filling up the tank on the Sprint, in rode this very friendly guy on his BSA. It's, IIRC, a 1967 A65 Hornet. He's only put a couple hundred miles on it since doing a restoration job on it. It's not a show piece; there were little things here and there on it that showed that bike is meant to be ridden. It was really, really cool to see, and the owner was a really nice guy. We probably talked for 10 minutes at the pump until some lady in a Buick wanted his spot at the pump.



Jeff

[atadaskew]

Now that's a real biker.  Not like one of those wannabes ridin' around on a new BSA...

[1KPerDay]

Way cool. Bet it sounded killer.

[Jeff]

Way cool. Bet it sounded killer.

It sure did. I had my head down looking at my gas tank while filling when I heard it pull up. My first thought was, while still looking down, "WTF is that because it sure isn't anything I've heard before." Then I looked up and saw him ride up. I think I actually yelled out "Whoa!"

[1KPerDay]

One of my earliest bike memories: I was in Mesa Verde with my dad, riding pillion on his BMW R75/6. I was about 11 I guess. I heard this amazingly cool sound and looked around to hear a bright red BSA twin rumble up. I was like    

[J-Mac]

Bitchin' Dude.

[stevent]

way kool,  

[JonS]

That is great! I always loved those bikes. It's interesting how small it looks compared to many modern bikes. A lot lighter too.

[vguy]

Nice. I want one.

[SuperHans]

My buddy has a BSA 441 Victor like the pic below. It's not a daily rider, but pretty damn close to it. It's really cool to see these old bikes ridden on a regular basis instead of being stuck in a garage somewhere never seeing the light of day. Especially when you realize how much maintenance it takes to keep them running well on a daily basis.

[JonS]

My buddy has a BSA 441 Victor like the pic below. It's not a daily rider, but pretty damn close to it. It's really cool to see these old bikes ridden on a regular basis instead of being stuck in a garage somewhere never seeing the light of day. Especially when you realize how much maintenance it takes to keep them running well on a daily basis.

I had one of those. That bike would just chug up any hill.

[SuperHans]

I had one of those. That bike would just chug up any hill.

I rode his bike a couple of times and that big single remided me of a tractor, in a good way.

[Justin]

Now that's a real biker.  Not like one of those wannabes ridin' around on a new FJR...

FTFY - just to beat County

[JIMLARCH]

I did a test ride on a 1968 BSA Spitfire back in 1970.  The kickstarter fell off in the first 100 yards.  I hope this guy safety wires everything that can fall off from vibration, because it will!.

[2wTraveler]

It's purdy

[Orson]

When I visited the British National Motorcycle Museum, I was impressed by the BSA  gas tanks. BSA had some of the most visually appealing tank badges that reeked of old world craftsmanship. They didn't just slap decals on them and call it good. It was if the gas tank was representing the entire firm and exceptional effort was made to make them stand out.

[Indefatigable]

I had a BSA A65T.  

You had to drag a magnet behind you to catch all the parts that would fall off.  

[sammyseaman]

That guy has a lot of faith riding around a nonshaft bike  

[Biking Sailor]

Can you imagine how much fun that bike would be to ride around?  Though, I'm glad he owns it and not me, not enough time to wrench on it properly for what it deserves!

[chornbe]

That guy has a lot of faith riding around a nonshaft bike  

LOL  

[Redbandit14]

That guy has a lot of faith riding around a nonshaft bike  

just Proof He's a REAL biker on a REAL bike  

[SuperHans]

I had a BSA A65T.  

You had to drag a magnet behind you to catch all the parts that would fall off.  

I remember riding behind my friend on his BSA 441 and seeing something pop off and go rolling down the road. It was the air cleaner. I laughed my ass off.

[FJRmgm]

cool bike - saw one of those at the Galveston motorcycle rally last weekend.

[sammyseaman]

My stepbrother has one and he's going through a divorce. Hmmmm....

p.s. He also has a '69 Bonnie, a Royal Enfield sidehack, a couple 60's era street rods, lots 'o musical instruments, etc...

[ReSTored]

My buddy has a BSA 441 Victor like the pic below. It's not a daily rider, but pretty damn close to it. It's really cool to see these old bikes ridden on a regular basis instead of being stuck in a garage somewhere never seeing the light of day. Especially when you realize how much maintenance it takes to keep them running well on a daily basis.

I took a test ride on one many years ago and was thinking of buying it.  Interesting bike, but glad I opted for a Honda instead due to the BSA's poor reputation for reliability.  

[1KPerDay]

I had a BSA A65T.  

You had to drag a magnet behind you to catch all the parts that would fall off.  

[Cheddarhead]

My stepbrother has one and he's going through a divorce. Hmmmm....

p.s. He also has a '69 Bonnie, a Royal Enfield sidehack, a couple 60's era street rods, lots 'o musical instruments, etc...

Time for him to sell them off at a significant discount...before he loses them forever!

Of course, if paperwork has already been filed / served, he's already too late.

[bomber]

what a gorgeous scoot -- I'd love to own another one, as my 8th or 9th bike -- I simply haven't the patience . . . . . .

my 441 Victor is the cause of my right-legged limping -- the damn thing would NOT light off unless perfectly in tune, and I was an even worse wrench then than I am now . . . .

I salute the guy's persistence, and the fact that he undoubtedly has an understanding wife, a pickup and a trailer.

;-}

[Scoop]

just Proof He's a REAL biker on a REAL bike  

If nothing else, he's a very patient man.  Probably also good with kids and dogs.

[Indefatigable]

I just had another BSA flash back.  Every shirt and jacket I owned had an oil stripe up the back from that damn automatic chain oil-er.  

[tigertim955]

As I was filling up the tank on the Sprint, in rode this very friendly guy on his BSA. It's, IIRC, a 1967 A65 Hornet. He's only put a couple hundred miles on it since doing a restoration job on it. It's not a show piece; there were little things here and there on it that showed that bike is meant to be ridden. It was really, really cool to see, and the owner was a really nice guy. We probably talked for 10 minutes at the pump until some lady in a Buick wanted his spot at the pump.



Jeff

That thing's Viagra to me ! And yes, parts do fall off. They usually hit your leg or foot to let you know you have to stop and search the roadside. The last time me and the Beezer were out the shifter went it's own way. Within 15 minutes the three of us were one again. Old British bike are so much fun !

[jfurf]

 It's interesting how small it looks compared to many modern bikes. A lot lighter too.

Model bloat! Seriously, I was at an Aprilia/Guzzi/MV Agusta dealer recently and EVERY new bike looked just totally bulked up and bloated. Ever seen an 80s BMW next to a late model? It's ludicrous.

[Giaka]

You had to drag a magnet behind you to catch all the parts that would fall off.  

Well the guy did start the ride on a completely stock BSA and look what was left when he needed gas.

[Kootenanny]

Neat old bike!

My Dad had a BSA Gold Star (500 single AFAIK) in his bachelor days...he lived in rural northern Alberta back then, so he rode gravel roads almost exclusively, with gumbo mud when it rained.  my mother, however, hated bikes...i only found out about the BSA when i brought my first bike home as a teenager (after she gave me a reaming i have never forgotten and stormed back into the house, my Dad asked me if he could ride it... )

[sammyseaman]

Model bloat! Seriously, I was at an Aprilia/Guzzi/MV Agusta dealer recently and EVERY new bike looked just totally bulked up and bloated. Ever seen an 80s BMW next to a late model? It's ludicrous.

  Riding my "little" Bonnie around is such a blast from the past, liberating experience. 'Tis true  
For people who haven't ridden a classic bike you should try to catch a ride on one. It will give you a new appreciation for our sport-tourer forefathers and their adventures.

[tigertim955]

  Riding my "little" Bonnie around is such a blast from the past, liberating experience. 'Tis true  
For people who haven't ridden a classic bike you should try to catch a ride on one. It will give you a new appreciation for our sport-tourer forefathers and their adventures.
[/quote

I agree totally ! I rode the Beezer around the east coast of Canada and the U.S. a few years ago and had a blast. The only problem was a broken throttle cable. Had one with me so it was a simple roadside repair ( at the U.S. border parking lot in Bar Harbor ) I gained a lot of respect for the people who used to tour these things regularily. My sport touring buddy rode a Savage 650. ST is just a state of mind.
If you get a chance to try an old Brit bike DO IT !

[Biking Sailor]

  Riding my "little" Bonnie around is such a blast from the past, liberating experience. 'Tis true  
For people who haven't ridden a classic bike you should try to catch a ride on one. It will give you a new appreciation for our sport-tourer forefathers and their adventures.

I have to agree!  Maybe why I enjoyed test riding a V7 Classic so much.  Felt like a light, agile, and pure motorcycle.