Sweet scooter......had one interaction with the man who owns Baxter cycle. A brief exchange about losing my A$$ on a Royal Enfield........He caters to the upper class not us working poor people.
I had a 1974 850, black like this one. The engine was bulletproof, the gearbox, not so much. I did a long burnout at a Taco Bell, something broke, limped it home, there was a hole in the trans case. T.C. Christensen, a well known Norton racer rebuilt it and I was back on the road. He told me the Commandos used the same trans as the old Atlas 750 and weren't up for any such abuse. They were fast, smooth bikes.
@@classicbritishbikesupersto2247 It was 1980- the new close ratio gears and case, assembled and shipped, was $330. A huge sum in those days. Sounds cheap today.
Still have my 1973 Norton Interstate 750.Purchased new at the time. With a few modern upgrades and TLC, it still a joy to ride. Puts a smile on any ones face. But mainly when its dry these days!
I knew a fellow who had a later oil in frame version of the Thunderbolt. As far as British bikes of the era went, those A65 engines were a pretty darned good unit. Unit construction was obviously an advantage. And you can't beat the styling. I'm pretty sure that they were a single cam design, from memory, which reduced unnecessary complexity. They were also, as far as Brit bikes go, pretty oil tight. They were nowhere near the sieves that the Triumphs of the era were, that's for sure. Your guess at 40 hp sounds about right. The single carb Thunderbolt didn't have the same out and out power as the lightening, but they were known to run much better and had much better low and midrange response and power. By all accounts they were also much easier to start, much easier to tune and used about 2/3 the fuel of the twin carb variant. I've spent a bit of time as a pillion on one of these. They go better than they should. They had a claimed top speed of something around the 100mph mark, which I wouldn't dispute. Cruising 2 up at 60 is a walk in the park. 70 is doable. They are effortless at a good pace around town. I would not mind one of these in my garage, that's for sure.
When I lived in Hawaii, 73-77, this was my island chopper. It had a teardrop tank and extended forks, with pullback handlebars. All painted black and red flames on the tank, that I added. What a great running bike! Easy to work on and fun to ride. It was perfect for my needs at the time.
Nope - nothing to do with the new "BSA" model. It's because the old Brit bikes are now collectible and there is a lot of disposable income in this country. We were throwing those bikes into the scrapyard in the 70's, now they are desirable. Just try to find a cheap, decent 70's SL350 if you think I'm wrong about collectors and their cash.
Lightning was red, Thunderbolt was black in '69, at least the T-Bolt I bought brand new in the spring of '69 was black and silver. $900 and change from Bob's BSA in Williamstown NJ. Changed to megaphone exhausts with the baffles removed and flat handlebars, I was 19 and wanted speed. Turned 14.8 at 88mph at the drags at Atco, pretty quick for those days. BSA was based in Linden NJ back then, bikes shipped from Birmingham to Linden, and I ran with the Linden boys at the track. Thanks, your ride took me back to the days of Woodstock and my Thunderbolt.
Cool bike , I have a 1968 thunderbolt which I restored a few years ago , it was brought back from the USA in the late 1990s gets riden regularly, I went to work at the BSA in 1959 I was 15 years old at time.
Stunning bike! I started out as a teenager on BSA's back in the late 60's, they were cheap and plentiful. I'll always have a soft spot for them! The new 650 Gold Star is my favourite retro bike!
Of all the Brit bikes ive had in the past from pre unit 500 / 650 and OIF 750 Triumph's to Matchless to Norton"s 500 dominators to 850 Commandos etc s i have to say that one 70 Thunderbolt 650 i had was the best all around bike. Easy to start, easy to maintain . rodé It for years everywhere highways, dirt roads etc never let me stranded. Miss that BSA the most.
408 pounds wet. Lighter than a Royal Enfield Classic 350. About 99% of what I need in a bike is possible with an air-cooled, under-square parallel twin 750.
The big hump behind the seat is ugly. Despite its appearance it’s much slower and heavier than a 1972 Commando Roadster which is much faster. This bike is all show and no go.
@@classicbritishbikesupersto2247 Sorry for being a bit harsh. I know it’s enjoyable to see the gawkers checking out this rare bike as it’s parked in front of a cafe. I see where it was possible to get a more powerful engine with these. Cheers
Norton 850 models were equipped from the factory with either 30mm or 32mm engine heads, denoted with either RH10 or RH4 coding stamped into the head above the right-hand side exhaust valve cover. Today, from the analysis of knowledgeable Norton engine tuners, it is generally accepted that the RH10 head equipped engines are superior due to higher speed intake flow. All JPN bikes were likely equipped with the RH10 head, making them equipped with the best performing configuration of motor among the three years of 850 production. Any stifling of horsepower on the JPN models can be rectified by installing a more free flowing exhaust. Benefits might also be realized by replacing the air intake box.
@@pdm2201Never seen a factory equipped JPN with a 750 short stroke motor. Probably just a sales brochure option, but something not ever fitted to a JPN roadbike.
Great job as always Fuzzy. Keep them coming mate. Good on Baxters for sharing these classics. I had a Mercury with same shift pattern. Triumph i had right foot, but one down three up. Just different aye. Soon get used to it. Cheers from NZ
I had a same year British Police bike version of this - the TR6P Saint. Similar to this - all black, with a larger gas tank. So comfortable to ride, with huge torque. Could pull an ox. I don't think bikes with better long distance ergonomics have been devised - and a lot of new bikes are returning to this tried and tested riding position.
In 1970, after surviving Veitnam War, I came back to the States. Over seas I had saved enough money to buy a motorcycle when I returned. I bought a Triumph Tiger 1970, paid cash. Had some money left over, so I put a down payment on a 1970 Triumph Spitfire sports car. I was in tall clover.
Look like TT100 tyres. Remember them back in the day! Big improvement over the Avon SMs. Also headlight was better than the usual 6v Joe Lucas 'prince of darkness' items.
yeh Had a T100A fun bike nice 500cc ally head got it cheap because gearbox issue new woodruff key cost 3.5 pence to fix it and she started first kick even in the cold winters never knew a british 650 that did that
Hey is Don Hutchinson still open in Wakefield Massachusetts Dan Riley used to work there he has his own shop in epping NH he restored a 1966 Bonneville I got from Don British Iron was our club they had a 6 state run every year all secondary roads no highways I rode a 1967 441 Victor single cylinder made it no problem got to the campground I lost the kick stand lol the I looked down by the office and found a big diamond ring I turned it in a lady lost it this was 30 something years ago Jay strait ran the meeting at the Sturbridge mass rod and gun club for my buddy road a 1971 triumph single cylinder just us two no one has ever done it again we were on the cover of the Motor Cycle Post that's a beautiful bike Dan restored a 1966 triumph 650 same color we called it the butter scotch paint man I miss them guys I'm in Florida now my nickname was the Chipman because I sold potatoe chips for Toms Snax out of Dover NH for years I'm 62 now boy do I miss those days and the guys i called Dan Riley Doctor Dan he could fix anything if any one remembers our Motley Crew hit me up a dhorning884@gmail.com till then ride safe peace out 😊 man
Nice !!! I'm an Aussie in Thailand that loves old bikes and you're in USA, it's a small world. I'd love to visit and look around the store and cruise your fields on an old twin or single with you, looks beautiful. I'll just have to subscribe until the money comes in I guess, see ya in a bit Good luck with it all there
That's a very nice motorcycle in great condition with a four speed slick-shift gearbox. I fitted the same gearbox on a woodworking copy lathe I made back in the 1980's, it was used to change the spindle speed instead of a v-grooved stepped pulley. The lathe also had a Norton lay down box for the carriage traverse speed. Back then I had a 1961 Duplex framed T120 cafe racer. Great days. Thanks for the memories. Cheers Tony
I had a 1977 T160V too, mine had the Norman Hyde 850 big bore kit, the actual capacity was 871cc. The big bore gave a 135mph top speed, Tridents are thirsty only giving 35 miles per gallon. A great machine to ride and own.
