1970 BSA Lightning

['72TR6RV]

Hey Folks, haven’t posted anything in a while. I was able to go back to my hometown over Thanksgiving and spend time with my 90 yr old uncle who is keeping himself occupied rebuilding his 1970 Lightning. Last time licensed was 1981. Thought I’d share a couple pictures. Note his ‘74 BSA / Triumph TR5MX in one photo. Its partially dismantled as its another project he has started but not yet finished. What a thumper that machine is! Undercover is his ‘72 OSSA Stiletto 250

 

[Rudie]

1970 Lightning

Interesting it still has the black 1970-only rear light extension; because they were so ugly, most were either not fitted by the dealer or thrown away by the first owner. Or did your uncle source it for his restoration?

‘74 BSA / Triumph TR5MX in one photo. Its partially dismantled as its another project he has started but not yet finished.

Has he reached the electrics yet? If original, they are ... 'interesting' ...

 

[DaveM]

Wow he is really doing an outstanding job with it.

 

[grandpaul]

Hey Folks, haven’t posted anything in a while. I was able to go back to my hometown over Thanksgiving and spend time with my 90 yr old uncle who is keeping himself occupied rebuilding his 1970 Lightning. Last time licensed was 1981. Thought I’d share a couple pictures. Note his ‘74 BSA / Triumph TR5MX in one photo. Its partially dismantled as its another project he has started but not yet finished. What a thumper that machine is! Undercover is his ‘72 OSSA Stiletto 250View attachment 56622

Beautiful Beezer, well done your uncle!

 

[sikatri]

Your uncle is my inspiration! When I’m too old to ride I’ll just tinker on my machines and keep them running!

 

['72TR6RV]

Interesting it still has the black 1970-only rear light extension; because they were so ugly, most were either not fitted by the dealer or thrown away by the first owner. Or did your uncle source it for his restoration?


Has he reached the electrics yet? If original, they are ... 'interesting' ...

Did not know that about the taillight extension. Knowing my uncle, it’s always been on there, he wouldn’t leave anything off if he removed it during disassembly.
The TR5 was purchased from the dealer new by someone. Got nervous or scared riding it and layed it down and brought it back. Woody told my uncle if he purchased the parts to repair it, he could have it. Fuel tank and other small parts later it was his.

 

['72TR6RV]

Your uncle is my inspiration! When I’m too old to ride I’ll just tinker on my machines and keep them running!

He can’t ride anymore due to heart problems which is a shame but his mind is sharp as a tack! He still has the knack to work on these old machines. He got a 1950 some Gold Star engine he wants to work on sometime.

 

['72TR6RV]

Wow he is really doing an outstanding job with it.

Thanks!
The chrome is in nice condition for 50 years old. He has always kept it inside. Figured it was only on the road for 10 years before he put it up. In Upstate NY probably only rode a few months out of the year. Not sure of the mileage on it, but the 72’ TR6 I bought from him only had 16,000 miles.

 

[DaveM]

I noticed it did look in very good condition.

 

[Rudie]

Did not know that about the taillight extension.

The 1970 FMVSS required the taillight to be the rearmost part of the bike; that taillight mounted directly on the alloy casting, the bottom edge of the fender stuck out a tiny bit beyond the light unit so BSA and Triumph came up with the tin extension to ensure the light position complied with that FMVSS. The extension was only fitted to/supplied with bikes made in the 1970 calendar year and sent to the US, as the FMVSS only applied to bikes made on or after 1st January; when BSA and Triumph switched to making 1971 model year bikes (September 1970?), they had a shorter rear fender and different taillight mounting.

Depending how "correct" your uncle likes his bikes, I just realised the tin extension is missing the part to mount the licence plate:-

... the strip kept the licence plate under the light.

The problem was the top edge of the licence plate had to be mounted on that strip and even if a new bike came with the strip for the bottom edge in the crate (apparently not all did ), because that second strip's two mounting bolts needed holes drilling in the fender, apparently often it was not fitted ...

However, if the strip for the bottom edge of the licence plate was not fitted, then the problem was, licence plate mounted only by its top edge, because these bikes vibrate a bit, the vibrating licence plate broke the mounting strip off the extension ... I think at least some states required payment for replacement licence plates; that was usually when the extension was removed and thrown away, the taillight mounted directly on the alloy casting, the new licence plate and bracket bolted to the fender ...

If your uncle wants one, those tin extensions are available new with the licence plate strip, I have the part number plus those for the bottom strip and its spacers off the fender, mounting bolt dimensions, etc., etc.

The TR5 was purchased from the dealer new by someone. Got nervous or scared riding it and layed it down and brought it back. Woody told my uncle if he purchased the parts to repair it, he could have it. Fuel tank and other small parts later it was his.

If you and your uncle know the following already, advance apologies. The TR5MX is a BSA B50, probably the "MX" (odd electrics, no lights, etc.) version; after BSA went bust in 1972, while BSA motorcycle production ceased, Triumph production continued, the "TR5MX" was an attempt to sell off existing B50's under the Triumph name. Aside, B50 parts bought by Alan Clews led to the founding of CCM (Clews Competition Motorcycles) - History of the uber cool CCM Motorcycles.

 

[grandpaul]

The 1970 FMVSS required the taillight to be the rearmost part of the bike;

What a load of earthworm dung. Our absurd gubmint...

 

['72TR6RV]

What a load of earthworm dung. Our absurd gubmint...

Haha, controlling things then and still today!

 

['72TR6RV]

The 1970 FMVSS required the taillight to be the rearmost part of the bike; that taillight mounted directly on the alloy casting, the bottom edge of the fender stuck out a tiny bit beyond the light unit so BSA and Triumph came up with the tin extension to ensure the light position complied with that FMVSS. The extension was only fitted to/supplied with bikes made in the 1970 calendar year and sent to the US, as the FMVSS only applied to bikes made on or after 1st January; when BSA and Triumph switched to making 1971 model year bikes (September 1970?), they had a shorter rear fender and different taillight mounting.

Depending how "correct" your uncle likes his bikes, I just realised the tin extension is missing the part to mount the licence plate:-
View attachment 56648
... the strip kept the licence plate under the light.

The problem was the top edge of the licence plate had to be mounted on that strip and even if a new bike came with the strip for the bottom edge in the crate (apparently not all did ), because that second strip's two mounting bolts needed holes drilling in the fender, apparently often it was not fitted ...

However, if the strip for the bottom edge of the licence plate was not fitted, then the problem was, licence plate mounted only by its top edge, because these bikes vibrate a bit, the vibrating licence plate broke the mounting strip off the extension ... I think at least some states required payment for replacement licence plates; that was usually when the extension was removed and thrown away, the taillight mounted directly on the alloy casting, the new licence plate and bracket bolted to the fender ...

If your uncle wants one, those tin extensions are available new with the licence plate strip, I have the part number plus those for the bottom strip and its spacers off the fender, mounting bolt dimensions, etc., etc.


If you and your uncle know the following already, advance apologies. The TR5MX is a BSA B50, probably the "MX" (odd electrics, no lights, etc.) version; after BSA went bust in 1972, while BSA motorcycle production ceased, Triumph production continued, the "TR5MX" was an attempt to sell off existing B50's under the Triumph name. Aside, B50 parts bought by Alan Clews led to the founding of CCM (Clews Competition Motorcycles) - History of the uber cool CCM Motorcycles.

Lots of good stuff. Thank you
With all due respect, the tin plate you are mentioning, I think is in place unless I’m missing something. The top license plate bracket is in place. Hard to see it due to the lighting and what not.
Uncle always said that the 500 single was a bit different and not many around. It’s badged as a Triumph, has a Triumph model ( TR5MX) & build number is in the upper 200s lower 300s area but everything cries out BSA as far as cosmetics & components. The tank is two tone light blue shade and polished aluminum or chrome. Has the side and front number plate.
He would ride this machine or the OSSA in Enduros and hare scrambles in the Unadilla race in New Berlin, NY back in the 70s. My Dad would ride an OSSA Pioneer. Also had a Greives he would ride. They both were good friends with the dealership owner….called him Woody. Had the opportunity to meet and ride with the Factory riders in late 60s and early 70s.

 

[Rudie]

The top license plate bracket is in place.

500 single
badged as a Triumph, has a Triumph model ( TR5MX)
but everything cries out BSA as far as cosmetics & components. The tank is two tone light blue shade and polished aluminum or chrome.

TR5MX model code - similar was done to the X75 Hurricane triple. That was styled originally by Craig Vetter for US BSA on a 69 Rocket 3, US BSA sent the bike to Small Heath but they humm-ed and haw-ed over making it for several years. For 1973, the EPA mandated a lower noise limit (that the Hurricane could not meet without work) and the FMVSS required all bikes to be fitted with turn signals (that the Hurricane did not have); Small Heath had built all Rocket 3 and Trident engines and was still building the latter so it was decided to produce 1200 Hurricanes between the beginning of the 73 model year in 1972 and the end of 1972, so they would not have to comply with the 1973 US requirements.

However, BSA motorcycle production ceased earlier in 1972 so the Hurricanes were made as "Triumphs", despite the engines are Rocket 3 and the cycle is mostly modified Series 2 Rocket 3; early engines and frames had the BSA model code "V75V" (the Rocket 3 was "A75", the "V" suffix indicated a 5-speed gearbox) but later are coded "TRX75".

Also probably not an accident the TR5MX model code was similar to that of the TR5T - Triumph 500 twin engine in a modified B50 frame. TR5T tanks were originally polished aluminium so I would be surprised if your uncle's bike's tank is not, also the shape of the blue in online images is the same as TR5T's red (73) or yellow (74).

Aside, the last Hurricane engines were not actually built until early January 1973 ... but they were still date coded "XH" ...

build number is in the upper 200s lower 300s

My curiosity - the number is actually five figures, with two zeros before the "2" or "3"? What are the date code letters?

 

['72TR6RV]

TR5MX model code - similar was done to the X75 Hurricane triple. That was styled originally by Craig Vetter for US BSA on a 69 Rocket 3, US BSA sent the bike to Small Heath but they humm-ed and haw-ed over making it for several years. For 1973, the EPA mandated a lower noise limit (that the Hurricane could not meet without work) and the FMVSS required all bikes to be fitted with turn signals (that the Hurricane did not have); Small Heath had built all Rocket 3 and Trident engines and was still building the latter so it was decided to produce 1200 Hurricanes between the beginning of the 73 model year in 1972 and the end of 1972, so they would not have to comply with the 1973 US requirements.

However, BSA motorcycle production ceased earlier in 1972 so the Hurricanes were made as "Triumphs", despite the engines are Rocket 3 and the cycle is mostly modified Series 2 Rocket 3; early engines and frames had the BSA model code "V75V" (the Rocket 3 was "A75", the "V" suffix indicated a 5-speed gearbox) but later are coded "TRX75".

Also probably not an accident the TR5MX model code was similar to that of the TR5T - Triumph 500 twin engine in a modified B50 frame. TR5T tanks were originally polished aluminium so I would be surprised if your uncle's bike's tank is not, also the shape of the blue in online images is the same as TR5T's red (73) or yellow (74).

Aside, the last Hurricane engines were not actually built until early January 1973 ... but they were still date coded "XH" ...


My curiosity - the number is actually five figures, with two zeros before the "2" or "3"? What are the date code letters?

Not sure what the date code is. All uncle said was it had a low build number. Going to hopefully get back home again for the holidays. Might be able to get some eyes on it little better. Will follow up for sure.

 

[Leroys73]

Sounds like my 90 year old uncle.
I’m 75 and hope I can keep going like our uncles.
I owned a ‘68 Lightning in early 70s. Loved it.

 

['72TR6RV]

Sounds like my 90 year old uncle.
I’m 75 and hope I can keep going like our uncles.
I owned a ‘68 Lightning in early 70s. Loved it.

There’s a big age gap between uncle and myself….im 50 and he’s 90 but we sit and talk about old machinery and old bikes. He was a machinist and could build anything with the lathe and Bridgeport. Like yourself hope when I and your age and his age I can still ride or enjoy keeping the old bikes running