BSA A70 Lightning Information and Register
PLEASE NOTE, THE BSA A70 REGISTER HAS NOW MOVED TO CLASSIC BIKE HISTORY
The BSA A70 Lightning was a 750cc equivalent of the BSA A65 produced for the US market for flat track racing. Raced by stars of the time such as Dick Mann. They were also known as a ‘Lightning 75’. Whilst the bike used the same chassis as the A65 there were the following differences:
- Standard 930/78+9 carbs but fitted with larger 250 mainjets
- Increased Stroke (75mm x 85mm)
- Increased Compression Ratio (9.5:1)
- Crankcases
- Crankshaft
- Crankshaft Sludge Trap
- Connecting Rods
- Big End Shells
- Flywheel and Bolts
- Timing Side Bush
- Oil Pump Drive Pinion Washer
- Crankshaft Pinion
- Crankshaft Thrust Washer
- Crankshaft Shims
- Oil-Pressure Release Valve
- Pistons and Rings
Colour Specification
Frame and Chassis All Black except side panels and petrol tank finished in Etruscan Bronze with white bottom and fluorescent linings (currently available from BBB).
Only 200 A70Ls were produced, 102 in June, 64 in July and 36 in August, See the production records below. These can be identified by the engine frame numbers; G June, J August and H July. Out of the 202 A70’s produced, it is believed that most were originally shipped to Baltimore and approximately 23 to California. Although they were released as 1972 models, they are stamped as 1971.
| East Coast Distributor The Birmingham Small Arms Company Inc BSA Sales Division PO Box 6790 Towson Baltimore Maryland 21204 USA | West Coast Distributor The Birmingham Small Arms Company Inc BSA Sales Division PO Box 337 Duarte California 91010 USA |
For Magazine articles on the BSA A70 Lightning, See;
Classic Bike October 1995 (Features our own A70L)
Classic Bike September 2008
BSA A70 Photo Gallery
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Dick Mann with Alastair McQuaids A70 Trackmaster at Beezumph Rally
Please Register your bike here
Please register your bike with us. Email the details through tosales@burtonbikebits.net
If you would like to submit a photo please attach it to the email.
Current Bikes in the register
| Engine/Frame Number | Location | Current State | Comments |
| GE01022 | Leicester, UK | Being Restored | Imported from Randy Baxter in USA |
| GEO1025 | Varberg, Sweden | Fully Restored | Dove Grey frame, never resprayed |
| GEO1027 | Philadelphia Pennsylvania, USA | Unrestored | Rider in great condition |
| GE01030 | Florida, USA | Being Restored | |
| GE01031 | Vale of Glamorgan, Wales | Basket Case | Cases and motor parts only |
| GE01035 | Essex, UK | Being Restored | Chopperized, Currently undergoing restoration |
| GE01041 | Springville NY, USA | Fully Restored | NY License plate “BZRGZR”. Many updated parts, not a “restoration.” Daily rider since 1973. Acquired from original owner, frame black, tank & sidecovers dark blue. About 40,000miles as of 2010, but expect many more in the near future, as my commute has grown longer as of 2010. I video recorded my last full rebuild (about six hours’ worth) in 2009 on hi-def (blue-ray). As I get older, I want to remember how it was done… |
| GE01046 | Ohio, USA | All Original | |
| GE01054 | Ashby de la Zouch, UK | Fully Restored | As featured in Classic Bike Magazine Oct ’95 |
| GE01055 | New York, USA | Unrestored and Complete | |
| GE01057 | West Midlands, UK | Being Restored | |
| GE01069 | Oakland California, USA | Fully Restored | Bought about 5 yrs ago for $800 had Rabers in San Jose rebuild motor got from orig. owner who flat tracked raced, then turned it into a bobber in 1972 |
| GE01070 | North Olmsted, Ohio, USA | Fully Restored | All Stock except paint, 12,700 miles |
| GE01079 | Wakefield, USA | Original, Unrestored | |
| GE01092 | Atlanta, GA, USA | All Original | |
| GE01097 | Rock Valley, Iowa | Off the Road | Barn find fresh rebuilt engine in an old basket case 68 frame. An older gent lost interest in the project after losing a friend and parked the bike. The gentleman tells me the engine was originally built by Cheney of Sioux Falls, SD. Until today I knew nothing of the A70L significance. |
| GE01101 | Melbourne, Australia | All Original | The bike was imported to Australia from USA by a Harley importer circa 1982. It is mostly original apart from seat recover, tank and side covers painted. It is black frame with dove grey schocks. It was painted blue when I obtained it and had a NC license plate. After getting details of previous owners from NC DMV I wrote to the original owner who advised it was orange when purchased new. |
| JE01173 | Vale of Glamorgan, Wales | Fully Restored | Flat track racer with known history |
| JE01185 | California, USA | Fully Restored | Restored in 1980s, currently in storage. |
| JE01194 | Petaluma,California | Being Restored | May put motor in 71 lightning frame. |
| JE01203 | Dettenheim, Germany | Fully Restored | Donelson Bike from USA. A70 Engine in a A65 Spitfire Frame. Called Spitfire MK5 750. MK4 Lookalike. |
| HE00163 | El Cajon, California, USA | Fully Restored | Ex-racebike, flattrack miler. It has an early Ray Hensly-Trackmaster chassis, with Ceriani / Girling suspension & Barnes wheels. For the motor it has an ARD Magneto, Sifton Cams & headwork, ACK clutch cover, & one off magnesium Mikuni carbs that are rare. |
| HE01121 | Middletown, OHIO, USA | Fully Restored | Very Nicely Done, not molested |
| HE01122 | Northampton, UK | Fully Restored | Imported from US in bits with broken conrod. Due to be featured in Classic Bike Magazine |
| HE01136 | Atlanta, GA, USA | Basket Case | Currently a rolling chassis only. |
| HE01139 | Tonsberg, Norway | Off the Road | Dirt Track seat/tank |
| HE01142 | Pontefract, UK | Fully Restored | |
| HE01158 | Mass, USA | Frame Only | |
| HE01159 | Florida, USA | All Original | |
| HE01161 | Seattle, USA | Fully Restored | On Disply in office, Pictured above with red tank |
| HE01166 | Cross Lake MN, USA | Being Restored | |
| HE01168 | Nebraska, USA | Being Restored | Looking forward to riding it as I hear they are quick!!!! Have been doing BSAs since the early 70s and even had a goldie at one time |
| HE01170 | Christchurch, New Zealand | Basket Case | Just started this project having won an auction, 90% complete |
| HE01208 | Mid Wales | White & Red | |
| P50 004 | West Midlands, UK | Basket Case | Prototype Number Four |
BSA A70 Production Records
| Number Produced | Date |
| 1 | 12/06/1971 |
| 64 | 25/06/1971 |
| 38 | 02/07/1971 |
| 63 | 09/07/1971 |
| 21 | 13/08/1971 |
| 15 | 20/08/1971 |
