Just kidding...not really...hahaha. Here's what I've been working on...just thought I'd share. I bought what was left of a '69 BSA Lightning a few weeks back, and have been working on it when I haven't been busy with other stuff. Here's how I found it: Pretty much a pile of ****, right? It was sort of a pseudo-chopper I think...sissy bar and extended forks, etc. Well anyway, I got after it with the sawzall, and adapted a OIF Triumph hardtail section I had in the shop to it...to get here: Of course it's still just a mock-up, but I think it's looking pretty cool. I set up the hardtail so that it's going to sit really low. I found the 'gl*** Sportster type tank at the Pate swap meet (actually a bit smaller than a real Sporty peanut) and it fits the bike pretty nicely I think. I was going to keep this part super-secret, but...oh what the hell. I'm going to try to make a springer for this one out of a pair of Model A wishbones and this spring pack: I'm not sure what this came off of, but the best guess I've heard so far is that it's an aftermarket overload spring for a Model T truck. The patent date is from 1920....I've got a pair of them. Can you see it? How about now? Here's a mock-up to give you a general idea of what I'm planning to do. The axle will actually ride behind the pivot at the bottom of the legs...a lot like the rockers on an Indian springer. It's got a loooooonnngg way to go, but it's starting to take shape. I haven't seen too many chopped BSA's....and I hope this one turns out cool.
Damn, that has a killer profile! I really like the overall look of it, and the springer set up looks like it will be equally cool.. I wanna see this one come together..
I also turned this up the other day. It was in a barn in a tiny little town in Central Texas. It's a '69 Bonneville...and yep, that frame is chromed. I've got big plans for this one...it'll get a slick and a Joe Hunt mag a**** other things. I pulled the extended front end off and goofed around with it a little already: And lastly here's a glamour shot of the bare metal Trump. I've still got to finish wiring it before I blow it apart for paint and chrome...just waiting on a Tympanium. Thanks for looking... -Brian
British junk is the BEST junk.....if ya push the old car outside, you can fit about six more bikes inside.
That will kick ***. You gotta love the look of leaf spring front suspension on a bike. And balanced on two cans of one shot.... I gotta check out you're shop if I'm ever down that way.
B*** = RULER. Love those bikes, keep us updated with progress & pics. Oh and I love the 1-shot kickstand
Bikes look great. The BSA is gonna be *****in'. I can already tell that that's probably going to be my favorite. Just don't forget about El Grudge!
the bike looks real good. I like the way it sits. SOunds like your moving along quickly. good luck with it
I don't think I see one piece from that frame you posted in the first pic. Sure is gonna be a good looking bike though.
Nice Brian. Can you post a pic of where you welded the top section of the hardtail to the BSA frame? I've been thinking about hardtailing my 66 BSA Hornet and was hoping to find a hardtail section a little longer than the ones made for the BSA 'cause I am a tall ****er. In fact, I stretched the reaf of my trump frame 10"... Did you cut down the OIF hardtail at all? Heres a pic of mine...
Wow...thanks for all the kind words...even you Evel. Roadstar, the frame from the center loops forward is the same as in the top pic, and the motor and rear wheel are in the top pic as well. I did have to cut a bunch of stuff off of the frame...it took me a while. Flatshoebox, the '666' tank is a pair of headlight buckets welded together. A '23 T and another unidentified one I got at a swap meet. It needs to be finish welded and I need to put a tunnel in it when I decide which bike I'm going to use it on. Hudsoncustom, I like your bike! I had to pinch the top and spread the bottom apart about 1/4 inch to get the OIF hardtail section to fit. It would have been easier to weld the top legs to the center loops, but I wanted to extend them to the backbone, and that made it a little more difficult. I'll have to take a picture of where they come together for you. That hardtail is off of an old Triumph chopper and I didn't change the length any, just the width. Thanks a lot guys....it's good to get some feedback.
Cool project,I like the front suspension. This is not critisism just a tip. At the front of the head on a A65 engine, at valve cover surface, there is a hole that takes a reaction rod that originally goes to a corresponding hole at the steering head. You may have to put this bracket on the frame tubes if you have too much stretch, it should be more or less horizontal. You vibration levels will be crazy if you ignore this reaction rod. /mikael
If the finished product sits anywhere near the way the mock up does, then that thing is going to be bad ***. It's got a heavy boardtrack/speedway vibe going. That's a killer idea for the front end. Leaf-spring forks rule when they aren't overdone.
But to be honest... I'm down with Evel. *******! That BSA project looks KILLER!!!!!!! BTW... Did you see the other day what I scored for my next project..? XR 750 Cerianis.