Description: Yes we combine shipping for multiple purchases.Add multiple items to your cart and the combined shipping total will automatically be calculated. 1965 BSA Thunderbolt 650cc - 3-Page Vintage Motorcycle Road Test Article Original, vintage magazine articlePage Size: Approx. 8" x 11" (21 cm x 28 cm) each pageCondition: Good Prospective buyers of large motorcycles often find themselvesbewildered by the many different models of each brand and thepurposes of each. ‘‘Should I buy the 500 with dual carbs or the650 with one carb? Or perhaps the ultra-hot 650 with dual carbs?”Usually the price variations between these large displacement bikesare not significant enough to persuade the rider either way. Itbecomes necessary for him to analyze his motorcycle wants andneeds in terms of how much power will be sufficient, how "sporty”does he want his machine to appear, and how much time is hewilling to spend keeping the bike in top tune.In the BSA line the basic difference between the ultra-hotLightning Rocket and the tamer, more conservative Thunderboltis in degree: degree of power and appearance. Basically the samebikes, the Lightning is obviously intended more for the all-outperformance fan, the guy who refuses to be outdone from astoplight. Dual carbs, tachometer, sports fenders and racingbrakes characterize the Lightning. Although the typical BSAlavish use of chrome extends to the Thunderbolt, a less racyappearance results from the fully valanced fenders, headlight-mounted speedometer, and enclosed single carburetor. It mustnot. be thought for a minute, however, that the Thunderbolt islacking anything in the performance department.The sound emitted from the large diameter twin pipes toldus immediately that this was a full-fledged “mover”, not merelya soft riding tourer. It’s a deep, throaty tone that approaches a“cracking” level during heavy acceleration. The powerful soundis further enhanced by the fact that there is very little enginenoise. The BSA factory has done an amazing job of “sealing in”the usual clicks and clacks, allowing only the pleasing mu filersound to penetrate the eardrum.It is little wonder that the engine is so quiet. A glance revealsthat the BSA powerhouse is a fully modernistic, enclosed unit.The cases are smoothly blended into the total design and thecooling fins add another touch of streamlining.Though not quite the all-out “screamer” (hat the Lightning is,the Thunderbolt is not very much slower. The same camshaft isused on both models, and both utilize the advance design hemi-spherical cylinder head with large valves, streamlined intake ports,and high-compression pistons (9:1). The exhaust system pro-vides the ultimate in efficient scavenging for a street machine.The only basic difference between the engines of the Lightningand the Thunderbolt is carburetion. The Thunderbolt has onlyone I’Zs" Amal unit while the Lightning runs a pair of them.That extra carb helps on all-out speed runs, but for normal, fasthighway cruising, few riders will feel deprived of miles-per-houron the Thunderbolt. Our test machine was fairly well broken inand showed tendencies to really “blast” from a dead slop, some-times taking to the rear wheel. Acceleration was also swiftenough to raise the front wheel on powershifts into 2nd and 3rdgears. Top speed will be high enough for practically any rider.Although our road test did not include an all-out top end run,past experience told us that the 100 mph mark could be surpassedwithout great strain. For some reason BSA refrains from makingpublic horsepower figures. But a ride around the block assuresyou that the Thunderbolt horsepower rating would certainly benothing to be ashamed of.The bike’s handling is greatly aided by the excellent riderposition. Footpegs are low enough and handlebars high enoughto allow complete freedom of movement and a superior feelingof control. Brake and shift levers are most ideally situated. Theseat is exceptionally soft.The overall handling impression closely approaches that of alighter weight motorcycle; In fact, some 250’s we have riddendemand more muscle and rider effort than this bike, weighingnearly 400 pounds. Cornering rates average; we found our-selves sweeping somewhat too widely through turns, having to... 12721-6508-04
Price: 11.94 USD
Location: Kingsport, Tennessee
End Time: 2024-09-18T12:43:16.000Z
Shipping Cost: 5.95 USD
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Return shipping will be paid by: Seller
All returns accepted: Returns Accepted
Item must be returned within: 30 Days
Refund will be given as: Money Back
Make: BSA
