No, It isn’t Cougar related (but I did get a WCCC t-shirt), but at least it has an engine and wheels, 2 of them anyway.
It’s a 68 BSA Lightning. Will be a hot cafe racer when I am done with it.
That is what it looked like when I got it a week ago.
Here it is about 3 days later
Can’t wait to start building it
Nice 650 twin. The mid 60’s British bikes have lots of character. Cafe’ style…WHAT, not running the 3/4 hangers! You going to add any rake or adjust tube height?
No ape hangers for me. Bobbers look better on a Harley. Not going to rake it, the factory got the rake just right for handling. I will be doing 1 1/2" shorter tubes though, already have 1 1/2" shorter rear shocks. I also have a set of 34mm Mikunis, the stock Amals are 28mm, so I have to build the hell out of the engine to make use of them. Should be a fun build, but it wont distract me further from working on the Cougar.
There’s a thin line between love and hate. I’m wavering right now. I hate you for having something cool I don’t, but I like the crap out of you and I’m very happy for you.
That thing is rad. Don’t forget about Henry’s up in Kingsport TN. He has a bunch of BSA stuff (and everything else). Tanks, wheels, dooflotchies.
Totally agree on the rake and whatnot. Plus, there are enough goofy choppers out there made from Triumph and BSA bikes. You are going to have to build one hell of an engine to run 34’s. Can’t wait to see how it turns out. 
The 1 & 1/2" forward and aft drop should bring her down to a nice ‘n’ low center of gravity …they were a little tall in the saddle. I assume the center stand will have to go…then again, might make some cool sparks on turns.
Oh, I love old British bikes. My mate makes a living restoring old Brit bikes and his workshop is my next door neighbour. Needless to say I spend a LOT of time there. Not everyday you see old Nortons, Triumphs, BSA’s, Matchless and Vincents side by side, and there is something about how they smell and sound those old irons. Well done on your BSA purchase, look forward to see the end result
Zakk
Very cool!
Sorry but I think the Cafe Racer style has run it’s course.
Yeah, but…
Per Conventional Wisdom, The combination of “European Elegance” and “American Muscle” has run its course as well; especially when the result of that melding of designs results in a vehicle called “The MAN’S Car”.
But that hasn’t slowed any of us down, now has it? 
Thanks guys, should be a fun bike when I am done.
You know me Andy, I tend to go over the top when it comes to engines.
John, I am not going full on cafe, mostly going for the race look. Really going for a street legal land speed type thing with nice paint and a hell of an engine. The same with the cougar, going to build it the way I want, not what mainstream says it should be.
I realy like BSAs and yours is way cool. This is my 72 Norton the way it looks right now. The only other I am doing is painting the original tank and side covers black and instead of decals slightly larger hand painted lettering. As far as mods it is the combat motor slightly tricked out and a single mikuni versus the twin Amals. If I could find perfect original Amals I think I would switch back but well see after its broke in. After its broke in I am going to the Dunstall two into one back into two header I am having rechromed and thats about it. So far I like the riding position, these bars and love the Corbin seat allthough its is hard. Please keep me posted on your project and I will send you pictures of mine if you would like.
Mike
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