BSA Thunderbolt
By Ben Purvis
The name Thunderbolt might be associated with Buells from the 1990s but way back in the 1960s it graced a BSA model. Now it has returned to that brand on a new 350 cc adventure bike.
After Buell's rights to the name expired, along with its claim to another ex-BSA title, Lighting, BSA filed trademark applications covering both badges back in 2023. Now the BSA Thunderbolt is reality, albeit on a much smaller machine than either the original BSA or the Buell that last used the badge.
The original BSA Thunderbolt was a 650cc twin, but the new machine borrows its 344cc, liquid-cooled single from the BSA Bantam. It's also used by the Roadster, Scrambler and Adventure models offered by BSA's sister company, Yezdi, which is another part of owner Mahindra's Classic Legends stable.
In the Thunderbolt, the 334 cc motor puts out 29.16 hp and 29.56 Nm of torque - both unusually specific claims - driving through a six-speed transmission. The numbers are nearly identical to the figures claimed for the Bantam, suggesting both bikes use the same state of tune.
The chassis is a simple, tubular steel design, with non-adjustable 41 mm forks and a preload-adjustable monoshock, offering 200 mm and 180 mm of travel respectively, while the 21-inch front and 17-inch rear wire wheels mean the bike can accept serious offroad tyres if you really want to venture far from the beaten track.
