I happened upon an episode of American Pickers at the gym this morning, and one of the marquee finds was a mint-condition tank from a BSA motorcycle. It looked even better than the one on this 1970 Lightning, which was apparently restored and then left to sit in the garage you see it in now. Seems like a waste of a restoration, but hopefully the next owner can enjoy it. Find this dusty BSA here on craigslist for $6,500 or go here if the ad disappears.

BSA was certainly a fixture in the 1960s and 70s motorcycle scene, and the Lightning was a prominent model that provided inspired performance. Unfortunately, build quality and high-speed composure were two qualities the BSAs lacked and the Lightning mustered only so-so reviews in the motoring press. This example was restored 13 years ago and has been sitting ever since; in fact, it hasn’t been run once since being stored.

The Lightning achieved fame on the silver screen in the James Bond film Thunderball. A Lightning with a gold fairing and equipped with missiles was used to torch the Ford Fairlane of Bond nemesis Count Lippe, with the BSA unceremoniously shoved off a cliff when the job was done. This one should obviously be spared such a fate, but it does make you wonder why the current owner never rode the bike he had freshly restored.

While this one may have undergone a thorough restoration, there’s more than a few Lightnings to choose from on craigslist for about half the price of this one in running, driving condition. The seller says the owner is motivated and may consider a lower offer, but not to waste their time with low-balls. Fair enough; what do you think this restored-once Lightning is worth?