The BSA A70 Lightning was a 750cc equivalent of the BSA A65 produced for the US market for flat track racing. Raced by stars of the time such as Dick Mann. They were also known as a ‘Lightning 75’.
Only 200 A70Ls were produced, 102 in June, 64 in July and 36 in August, See the production records below. These can be identified by the engine frame numbers; G June, J August and H July. Out of the 202 A70’s produced, it is believed that most were originally shipped to Baltimore and approximately 23 to California. Although they were released as 1972 models, they are stamped as 1971.
Whilst the bike used the same chassis as the A65 there were the following differences:
- Standard 930/78+9 carbs but fitted with larger 250 mainjets
- Increased Stroke (75mm x 85mm)
- Increased Compression Ratio (9.5:1)
- Crankcases
- Crankshaft
- Crankshaft Sludge Trap
- Connecting Rods
- Big End Shells
- Flywheel and Bolts
- Timing Side Bush
- Oil Pump Drive Pinion Washer
- Crankshaft Pinion
- Crankshaft Thrust Washer
- Crankshaft Shims
- Oil-Pressure Release Valve
- Pistons and Rings
| Engine # | Year | Location | Photo |
|---|---|---|---|
| GEO1025 | 1971 | Varberg, Sweden | |
| GEO1027 | 1971 | Philadelphia Pennsylvania, USA | |
| GE01030 | 1971 | Florida, USA | |
| GE01031 | 1971 | Vale of Glamorgan, Wales | |
| GE01035 | 1971 | Essex, UK | |
| GE01041 | 1971 | Springville NY, USA | |
| GE01046 | 1971 | Ohio, USA | |
| GE01054 | 1971 | Ashby de la Zouch, United Kingdom |  |
| GE01055 | 1971 | New York, USA | |
| GE01057 | 1971 | West Midlands, UK | |
| GE01069 | 1971 | Oakland California, USA | |
| GE01070 | 1971 | North Olmsted, Ohio, USA | |
| GE01079 | 1971 | Wakefield, USA | |
| GE01092 | 1971 | Atlanta, GA, USA | |
| GE01097 | 1971 | Rock Valley, Iowa, USA | |
| GE01101 | 1971 | Melbourne, Australia | |
| JE01173 | 1971 | Vale of Glamorgan, Wales | |
| JE01185 | 1971 | California, USA | |
| JE01194 | 1971 | Petaluma, California | |
| JE01203 | 1971 | Dettenheim, Germany | |
| HE00163 | 1971 | El Cajon, California, USA | |
| HE01121 | 1971 | Middletown, OHIO, USA | |
| HE01122 | 1971 | Northampton, UK | |
| HE01136 | 1971 | Atlanta, GA, USA | |
| HE01139 | 1971 | Tonsberg, Norway | |
| HE01142 | 1971 | Pontefract, UK | |
| HE01158 | 1971 | Mass, USA | |
| HE01159 | 1971 | Florida, USA | |
| HE01161 | 1971 | Seattle, USA | |
| HE01166 | 1971 | Cross Lake MN, USA | |
| HE01168 | 1971 | Nebraska, USA | |
| HE01170 | 1971 | Christchurch, New Zealand | |
| HE01208 | 1971 | Mid Wales, | |
| P50 004 | 1971 | West Midlands, UK | |
| 1971 | Test, Taiwan | |
|
| 1971 | Test, Taiwan | |
|
| HE01116 | 1971 | , United Kingdom | |
| HE01132 | 1972 | Golden, Co., United States | |
| HE01168 | 1972 | Golden, Co., United States | |
| GE01045 | 1972 | Houston, United States | |
| JE01178 | spring, Unknown |  |
|
| A70L/GE01079 | 1971 | Sherborne, United Kingdom |  |
| A70L BH 01210 | 1972 | Michigan, United States |  |
| GE 01026 | , Unknown |  |
|
| A70L HE0160 | 1971 | Malaga, Spain |  |
| JE01186 | 1971 | Superior, United States |  |
| GE 01026 | 1971 | Rugby, United Kingdom | |
| HE 01166 | 1971 | Rugby, United Kingdom | |
| A70L GE01623 | 1971 | Scalloway, United Kingdom |  |
| HE 01133 | 1971 | Winchester, United States | |
| A70L GE01035 | 1971 | Market Harborough, United Kingdom |  |
| GE01025 | 1972 | Sävedalen, Sweden |  |
| HE01132 | 1966 | Denver, United States |  |
| HE01132 | 1966 | Denver, United States |  |
| 40 | West Branch ,Mi, United States | |
|
| A70LHEO1127 | 1971 | Teignmouth, United Kingdom | |
| A70L HE01141 | 1971 | Littleborough, United Kingdom |  |
| Unknown | 1972 | Troy, Unknown | |
| A70LGE01076 | 1972 | Bath, United Kingdom | |
| CE08296 | 1971 | Bergen, Norway | |
| A70L/GE01007 | 1972 | Troy, United States |  |
| GE 01064 | Wright City, United States | |
|
| A70L/GE01074 | 1972 | Dallas, United States |  |
| 01107 | 1972 | Holme Olstrup, Denmark | |
| A70L/GE01011 | 1971 | Santa Fe, United States |  |
| GE01068 | London, United Kingdom | |
|
| GE01040 | 1971 | Blacksburg, United States |  |
| Unnumbered | 1971 | Alexandria, Canada | |
| A70L GE 01037 | 1971 | Marshfield, United States |  |
| GE01052 | 1971 | Bath, United Kingdom | |
| GE01052 | 1971 | Bath, United Kingdom | |
| 61t9nc | 1972 | piahw7, Zimbabwe | |
| 8am27y | 1972 | iv36v7, Zimbabwe | |
| A70LGE01026 | 1971 | Basingstoke, United Kingdom |  |
| IB1270 | 1969 | Basingstoke, United Kingdom |  |
| k6bhvk | 1972 | gg0xst, Zimbabwe | |
| oapvkm | 1972 | he8rs6, Zimbabwe | |
| 4a9gvr | 1972 | a685c8, Zimbabwe | |