Approximate build date for an A65 Lightning

[ferretjuggler]

I've got a possible new project on the horizon.
I've come to my own conclusions about the model year, judging from the frame and engine numbers.
I'd just like to know if other BSA owners tend to agree.

Frame number is A65LA*****Y

Well from my limited research I think that makes it a 1967 model year.
I've got an idea that the Y at the end designates an export model.
Am I anywhere near please ?

[JulianS]

What it is depends on exactly what is stamped on it.

What does the bike look like?

If the engine number is stamped on a 1967 type crankcase and ends -Y (dash Y) and has 1967 type forks and front wheel and generally looks like a 1967 Lightning then that is what it probably is. Found on UK and export bikes.

If the engine number is stamped on a raised plinth of a later crankcase and ends Y without a dash and has 1970 type forks and twin leading shoe front brake and generally looks like a 1970 bike then that is what it probably is and the Y indicates it had a longer warranty period. These Y no dash bikes were exported to the USA and are 1970 models.

This USA service bulletin tells about the Y (no dash) numbers and extended warranty.

[ferretjuggler]

Many thanks for that.
At present the motorcycle is a basket case, so it's a little difficult to say exactly what it was, some of the parts may not be the original ones.
I've only viewed it once, and I didn't take any photos.
From what I can remember, the frame/engine numbers are a match, and the engine numbers are on the raised pad.
I can remember this specifically because the vendor reckoned that there were no little "BSA" logos stamped under the number, but when I looked really closely, they were indeed present.
I can't remember a dash before the Y, so it looks like it's a 1970 model .
Interesting.
More research required on my part by the looks of it.
I'm wondering why BSA went to the trouble of introducing the two letter dating code in 1969 (along with Triumph) only to then deviate from their own system the next year ?
Didn't they miss the US selling season one year around this period ?
I'm wondering if they were dumping earlier built bikes as 1970 models ?

[JulianS]

These 1970 Y bikes were a result of problems with the US exports in the 1967 season. Some shipments did not get there in time for the US selling season and they did not sell as many bikes as they hoped resulting in high level of unsold stock. This is briefly mentioned in the 1967 BSA Annual report, see first attachment paragraph indicated by the arrow.

These excess bikes were either sold at discount in USA or brought back to the UK. Briefly mention in the 1968 BSA Annual report, see second attachment, paragraph indicated by the arrow.

By the time the bikes got back to UK it was getting on for 2 years or more since they were made and did not have the latest bits such as the TLS brake so some were refurbished to current spec and re exported to the USA in 1970.

The kept the original 1967 season numbers plus the Y, could be because because of export credit guarantee payments made for 1967 but who really knows.

The factory despatch record will have entries for the 1967 season despatch and the subsequent despatch.

[ferretjuggler]

Many thanks Julian.

So if I'm interpreting the information correctly then what I may be looking at is a 1967 MY motorcycle that has been across the Atlantic possibly three times.
I'm guessing that no parts catalogue will exactly match the specification that these bikes were rebuilt to.
One thing that puzzles me, is that AFAIK the crankcase castings with the raised pad were not in production in 1967 which suggests that the engines or at least the cases were swapped.
How very strange (and expensive)

[JulianS]

The ones I have seen had complete 1970 season engines. Certainly front forks and front wheels plus tanks/panels/mudguards 1970 though the frame might have 1967 silentbloc swinging arm bushes.

I suspect that had they just scrapped the reimports they would have had to repay any export credit guarantee monies.

Photo taken at the 2017 BSAOC Open Day, "Y" Thunderbolt left and "dash Y" Lightning right.