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The BSA Lightning was a British BSA 650 cc-class motorcycle made in Birmingham between 1965 and 1972. ==Development== The BSA Lightning was designed as the all-round sports machine of the 1960s,〔''Motorcycle Sport'', June 1969, p.226 ''BSA Lightning road test. "The catalogue describes the Lightning as a sports machine...''". Accessed and added 2014-07-02〕 planned largely for export to the US market 〔Motorcycle Mechanics, August 1965, p.36/37, ''Leapaway Lightning. Road test by Editor John Houslander. "Bulk of the Lightning production is said to be earmarked for the American market—and frankly we can't blame the Yanks for wanting them—they are the cream at the top of BSA's big bike production''". Accessed and added 2014-07-02〕 to complement the touring Thunderbolt and the later development, the supersports Spitfire. Development of the engine aimed to make it more reliable, quieter and less prone to oil leaks, with top speed sacrificed to improve mid-range and rideability. Nevertheless, with twin carburettors the A65L could still reach . Improvements included an oil pressure warning light, but this had a tendency to malfunction, so riders learned to ignore it. A close ratio gearbox combined with a high lift camshaft made for lively acceleration and performance at higher rpm than the standard A65. The bottom gear was a bit high, however, so riders had to learn to slip the clutch up to . Above 5000 rpm customers also complained about excessive vibration, with a tendency to weave above . A useful feature was an 'emergency starting' key position for times when the battery was flat to connect the alternator current directly to the ignition coils.〔Motorcycle Mechanics, August 1965, p.36/37, ''Leapaway Lightning. Road test by Editor John Houslander''. Accessed 2013-12-14〕 From 1969 the Lightning was improved with balanced exhaust pipes, redesigned silencer-internals, widened crankcase-half mating faces and a twin leading shoe front brake. When road testing, ''Motorcycle Sport'' found the natural cruising speed to be , but was impossible to ride comfortably at more 5,500 rpm in the higher gears due to severe vibration, with 6,200 revs repeatedly breaking the headlamp bulb filament; accordingly no top speed runs were attempted.〔''Motorcycle Sport'', June 1969, p.226 ''BSA Lightning road test'' Accessed and added 2014-07-02〕 In 1971, 201 750cc versions, designated the A70L, were also produced for American racing homologation purposes. In 1972 the BSA Group were in financial difficulties and, in a last attempt to extend the brand life, a new frame was developed for the A65L. As well as raising the seat height to an impractical , it actually broke during testing at the Motor Industry Research Association (MIRA) test track, marking the end of one of the most successful range of British twin cylinder motorcycles. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「BSA Lightning」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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