1962 BSA A65 650 hardtail chopper project, with transferable reg. number.

OK. where do I start with this one? I bought this bike earlier in the year. as I needed the engine for my NorBSA. and I thought the girder front end would go nicely on a trike I was planning. As it happens. the NorBSA engine wasn't as bad as I thought. so I am now rebuilding it. and the trike project has been shelved as I have too many projects on the go already. So I started collecting bits for the chop to build it up over Winter. I have now decided to have a clear-out so the chop is the first of several old Brits that I will be listing over the next few months. then I will look for a good Commando. Before I go into all the details of this bike. I have to say that this bike will need completely stripping and rebuilding properly. as I have just loosely assembled all that I have to take the pictures and show what it could look like when finished. If you are looking for an easy fix bike then you can stop reading now. I bought the Harley fat-bob tanks. then took the frame and forks to Sooty's Customs to have the tank mounts and steering stops fitted. He checked the frame over and said that it looks quite sound and well made. but the welding finish on the welded-up hardtail is poor. so needs dressing up and tidying. The front loop looks to be standard (apart from the swing-arm pivot plates being removed) and the frame number is visible and matches the V5C registration document. with the transferable registration number of 447 DOU. Taper-roller head bearings fitted. The front forks are after-market girders (make unknown). but are a bit too long for the standard rake. so the bike sits a bit high. The chrome on the forks is fair. but rusty in places (mainly the inside parts that are not really visible). They have a single spring but no visible damper. The bushing on the linkages look good but have not been properly checked. The front wheel has a rusty and dented 19" rim. but I have a good rim of a modern Royal Enfield to go on it. The tyre looks serviceable but old. The 4" spool brake has good shoes. but is probably a lousy stopper! The Bates-style headlamp is in good condition. and new risers and bars are fitted. with used levers and grips on them. The rear wheel has a 500 x 16" Dunlop chrome rim in reasonable condition. and the Beck tyre looks good. I think it might be a Q/D hub. but not sure. and it has the speedo drive fitted. The brake shoes look OK. The Harley tanks are in good condition. and come with the fuel tap and centre cover. but no filler caps. The rear mudguard came with the bike. but doesn't fit very well. but has a good chromed tombstone light unit fitted. The seat is something I cobbled together to try it out. There is no oil tank or battery box and no electrical components at all. There are a pair of footrests. but frankly they are rubbish. I was going to fit forward controls anyway. The exhausts are standard A65 down pipes and silencers in good condition. with just a few marks and minor dents. There is a suitcase with a selection of bolts. screws and cables. that might be of some use. or not. The engine is from a 1965 Rocket A65A. and when I took the top of the engine off to check it over I was surprised to find new pistons (I have now used the pistons and barrels on the NorBSA) and what looks like new con-rods too (one small-end bush needs reaming to fit the gudgeon pin). so it looks like the engine had been rebuilt. but I can offer no guarantees on that. and would recommend a full strip-down and check-over. There is no play noticeable in the big ends or main bearings. The primary and timing side look complete. and there is a rusty kick starter with it but no gear lever. however the gears seem to select OK. The barrels and pistons (+040 oversize) are off the NorBSA and are in good condition but a bit loose in the barrels. They were running fine before I removed them with good compression (120 psi) so might be serviceable. but I have since bought a pair of good. used +060" pistons and new rings. so the barrels could be rebored to suit. The head is shabby and could do with blasting. but has new valves and guides. and all fins and threads look to be OK. The carb is a 1/16" Amal monobloc (389/233) and is complete with choke mechanism but no air filter. The engine is loosely assembled with no pistons fitted. just to keep the insides clean and everything all together. There are certain to be some parts missing. mainly nuts. bolts and screws though. That's all I can think of for now. For sale as show in the pictures and as described to the best of my knowledge. It is offered for sale for what it owes me. no offers thanks. as if it doesn't sell I will put it away until I can get onto it and get it finished. Viewing is welcome. cash on collection preferred. or cleared funds before release. No swaps or deals. thanks as I need the cash for "The cunning plan". Thanks for looking.

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