‘64 BSA Lightning Rocket – Setting Direction

"What it is"…..This is one of my favorite things about a restoration. Taking the initial assessment of what I am buying is part of the process of course but until I start to take things apart I really don’t know what I have. No matter how hard I study a bike I always miss things. Dents in bad places, hardware that’s been replaced, body filler under paint in a tank….and it goes on.....So far I have not seen any huge surprises but only the little things I am accustomed to. It ran when I brought it home so there shouldn't be anything big hiding in the "Power Egg". Now that I have taken many of the bits off I have a good handle on "What it is".

Starting the tear-down with my old friend PB Blaster. 

The number plate was much worse than expected. Body filler and paint hid the damage. 

I think I can fix it....

A front fender stay fell apart. I wasn't expecting that.

This will get replaced...

The headlight shell had a crack under the rim and dents in odd places. 

I think I can fix it...

"What it was"….I am a history nut that's spent a lot of time reading historical works and visiting historical places. Antique motorcycle restoration takes this obsession to the next level. Researching what left the factory is a passion of mine. Getting the factory workshop and spares manuals is the first step. Finding advertising literature and road tests is the next. These sources will answer most of the questions I have although there are always discrepancies as the British bike manufacturers modified their offerings throughout the model year. For example my 1964 Lightning Rocket was made at the very end of the model year and has a 1965 tail light. Did it leave the factory this way? I think so but cannot be certain at this point. There are still many experts to assist when all of these tools let you down. AMCA judges and members, owners groups, internet groups, and restoration experts to name a few. All of these are great sources and have been used in my quest to make a bike "What it was".

A 1964 Cycle World test....a great reference and fun reading. 

A factory magazine advertisement to use as a guide. 

The spares manual....yet another great reference although not always spot on.

"What it shall be"....I have focused on building motorcycles that look as if they just left the factory. I take a lot of pride in replicating those good factory worker's efforts. But what if something could have or should have been better when it left the factory? Clear coat over vinyl decals, tapered roller bearings in the steering head, electronic ignition, improved fork internals, better shocks. The list goes on and on...... I have built my bikes to ride so a balance between these areas is always sought. Although I started out wanting to be a master at making 100 point show bikes, that blend is leaning slightly toward building improved riders. I restored the Interceptor to its factory state all the way to its points ignition and starting capacitor with only a few minor deviations.  Although it worked out well I will probably upgrade more bits at a later point. I am still not sure where to be on the Lightning Rocket but will figure it out as I go. This is one of the more challenging and enjoyable parts of planning and executing a restoration.  

The Hornet's tank decal sealed with clear coat. A necessary evil if you want to put petrol in the tank and go riding, which I find is a must. 

One of the few mods on the Interceptor. Hagon shocks modified to replicate the originals. An expert can tell the difference but most won't notice. It rides great with the improved units. (Great for a bike of its era that is)

BSA built a fine bike when they made the Lightning Rocket.  Although the handlebars are a bit funky as the times dictated in the states, I will leave them as is. I did the same on the Series II Interceptor and have enjoyed the unique riding experience it provides. The tank and panels will be factory orange (BSA called it mandarin red) and I will use the factory finishes on all of the critical bits once I figure out what they are supposed to be. I will also make my best effort to return each fastener to its factory original state. There is currently a mishmash of UNC, BSW, BSC and other things that must be sorted. Most original bits remain but almost everything has been messed with.

Now these are some funky handlebars but I will leave them as is. It is a distinct feature of the bike and I will not mess with it. A sign of the year in which we both were born. 

The wiring is a place that may get a bit of special treatment. 1964 was a 6V Lucas year for the BSA. The swap to 12V, solid state would be easy to hide behind the large funky side panels which I have to admit I like. Of course the bike will get my LED light upgrade which I have refined quite well.  A negative ground too... Please don't tell the purists who enjoy working on their bikes roadside about my upgrades. It will be our secret....

The current state of the Hornet's electrics. It went battery free for several years but one is being added to assist the alternator's insufficient output at low & high RPM's. 

The LR's engine will also get some upgrades. The head ports will be cleaned and polished, the clutch will be upgraded, the pistons will be EV Engineering specials, and the crank will be balanced. I have not had this done before and would like to give it a whirl. Pun intended. I'm sure I will incorporate other "must haves" as I strive to build the perfect BSA and one that that will never be possible to get all of my money back out of. A person has to be good at something I guess so let's finish the disassembly and see what we have.....

What appears to be an unmolested example from the sales pages on the Internet. 

A lovely bike and a good target to work toward.  This is "What it shall be"...