Produced between 1965 and 1972, the BSA Lightning was a traditional British sports bike aimed at the lucrative American marketplace. Featuring a 654 cc parallel twin with twin Amal carburetors and high-lift camshafts, the A65 Lightning was capable of over 100 mph flat out and was just as exciting to look at. The enduring appeal of this model was noted by Cycle World magazine, which tested the old-school Lightning in 1968 and reported: “…that particular aura remains. This is evident when a 17-year-old service station attendant, overwhelmed by the red and chromium sight, the burbling and chattering sound, blurts in all candor, ‘I’ve always wanted a BSA like that.’ That’s romance.”

Reported by the consignor to be a largely original, with matching frame and engine numbers, this A65 Lightning possesses a delightful patina that perfectly suits its classic styling. One of the most attractive British bikes of its era, with impressive performance and presence, this BSA Lightning would be an exciting complement to any collection of postwar sporting motorcycles.