First classic

[Bess]

Hi Phil,
            I suggest a A65/A70 oil in frame model. They suit taller riders, nice link below:

http://sump-publishing.co.uk/bsa-a70.htm

The bikes are easy to maintain, rebuild and personalise with a good supply of spares and engineering workshops (SRM provide a good service with general and specialist products). With no experience but a determination you would have no issues owning one or maybe two.

Best wishes...

[JulianS]

Phil

I dont think the twins are anymore difficult to maintain than the singles though the A7 and A10 will probably cost you more than a B40.

Bess raises a good point about the A65.

It is best to take your time before deciding what to buy, and get it right first time.

[TIGERJ]

Hi My C15 came to me via a friend.
It found me and as many of you know mainly in boxes.
I have had many happy hours working on this bike (not finished yet)
One thing to consider specially for me I am getting a bit old is the weight my bike is light and
easy to move around the garage.
Because this was my first classic I made my own wooden bike "table " not adjustable in height.
So getting it on and off is easy with the C15.
Although I am 6 feet in height I never considered the bike too small.
Probably when I finally ride out I may need something taller.
But I will still keep my C15
Good luck
             Tim

[Phil C]

Thanks Bess, Julian and Tim. I followed the link to the A70, which looks a nice bike but I'd say in appearance more 70s than 60s, more Starfire-style than B40, and - taking on board Tim's useful comment about size - a pretty big beast. A7s look nice also, but all these bigger bikes are of course upping the price. I guess I was hoping someone would tell me truthfully that they were 6ft 4ins tall and their C15/B40 was fine for them! Failing that, and unless I saw six inches off the bottom of my legs, which seems a bit drastic, or shell out more cash, which I don't really want to do, this is not easy. I guess I need to do as Julian advises, and take my time, but be ready to snap something up if it comes available - but it's difficult to imagine what might come available that would be suitable.  Phil.

[TIGERJ]

AMC Singles may be worth a look.
A nice 350 went for £2500 in Stoke recently.
I think they are considerable bigger than B40
Tim

[Phil C]

Thanks Tim.

Bess, I think I was wrong in my earlier comment about the A65/A70 looking more 1970s than 1960s, as I expect you know. I was going just by the photo on the link (which I think is an early 70s bike perhaps), but looking elsewhere I see there are plenty of earlier A65 models which look what they are: 60's bikes - a bit like  the A7/A10 - or  a C15/B40 but bigger. Sorry about that, and thanks again for your idea and the link.

When I was set on a single, I envisaged using Rupert Ratio manuals - fairly easy to understand, even for me. Is there anything similar for twins, if I were to get something like an A65?

Phil.

[JulianS]

There are factory workshop manuals for all the various years of unit twins. Quite useful.

[Bess]

Hi Phil,
           I use an on-line site for manuals, here's a link for the A65:

https://www.manualslib.com/products/Bsa-A65-Thunderbolt-3734300.html

Best wishes...

[Phil C]

Thanks Julian and Bess.  Phil.

[om15]

Phil, rather than go for a bike that requires a rebuild, perhaps look at a runner that you can tinker with and fix as you go along. The BSA twins are rather expensive, I have a C15 that I potter about with, but if going for a bigger bike you might like to look at the AJS/Matchless twins that are available, comparatively cheap to buy, spares are ok to source and the manuals, wiring diagrams are available.

You might pick up a good AJS runner for 3K, but an A65 might be double that, which ever way you go I'm sure you will get enthusiastic help on here.

om

[Phil C]

Thanks om. Yes, I was thinking of a runner, that I could get to know by servicing, fixing, improving here and there as I go along. I'll bear in mind AJS. Why are they so much cheaper than a BSA, would you say? By the way, what about a Triumph 21/3TA, or are they too small for me at 6ft 4ins?  Phil.