BSA Bantam?

[PeterT]

I don't have one, I just wondered if anyone does? Or any views.

[JohnS]

Had one about 65 years ago and it got me the 20 miles to work and back Ok.I dare say they can be improved with electronic ignition these days.

[PeterT]

They were I think the predecessor of the Cub in some ways. Small capacity bike for, like you, work everyday but can handle longer runs. A low tuned bike exported all over the World and still enjoyed (by a few) today.
And like the Cub they go for silly money! Also 3 engine sizes, 125 then 150 and 175cc

[mark1982]

Think one my friends brothers had one on the road as his first bike when he was 17, not very fast for 125 but we mostly rode around the back lanes anyway so didn't matter

[dmw1950]

D1 is 125, D3 is 150, D5, D7, D10 are 175 all 3 speeds. D14/4 and B175 are 4 speeds.
They have either Lucas or Wypac electrics 6 volts.
An introduction into Classic bikes, but not very usable in modern traffic.
The 3 speeders are very poorly braked, front forks weak, electrics and lights useless.
I built up a D14/4 some years ago but decided to give it away to a friend in France. the D14/4 still had Wypac electrics, better forks, same brakes. The engine was delicate, the B175 with central spark plug was the last in the range, the best value of the range,
The design was copied from the Germans after the war, and a factory built o/s of Birmingham so the women that worked for the war effort could carry on working when men returned to reclam their jobs.

[Capitano]

I built a "motocross bike," when I was 14 out of two ex GPO Bantams and a box of parts that my Dad picked up.

They were like a meccano set technology wise. Even with my rudimentary skills (but admittedly access to decent tools and stock car mechanics,) I managed to get a working D14 4 speed engine, with transplanted parts from an older D10 3 speed.

Very similar in engine characteristics and build to the old MZ TS 125/150 if you've ever had one of those.

[PeterT]

Wow brilliant info guys! ..... so brakes are even worse than the Cub and the old ones are even slower. Hmmmmm London traffic at 20mph would be OK but you still need good brakes.

[Capitano]

Wow brilliant info guys! ..... so brakes are even worse than the Cub and the old ones are even slower. Hmmmmm London traffic at 20mph would be OK but you still need good brakes.

If only I'd known 47 years ago I'd have done a direct comparison. My previous field bike before the Bantam was a 6v C50. From dim and distant memory, I don't recall much difference in braking efficiency between the two, and again directly comparable to the old MZ SLS brakes.

In other words, probably slightly inferior to the brakes on a 12V C90 fitted with a new genuine cable and EBC shoes.

[horobags]

I built a "motocross bike," when I was 14 out of two ex GPO Bantams and a box of parts that my Dad picked up.

They were like a meccano set technology wise. Even with my rudimentary skills (but admittedly access to decent tools and stock car mechanics,) I managed to get a working D14 4 speed engine, with transplanted parts from an older D10 3 speed.

Very similar in engine characteristics and build to the old MZ TS 125/150 if you've ever had one of those.

a very controversial subject is that BSA copies MZ's RT125 engine design by Walter Karden for the first Bantam engine.

[roadster]

I have never owned one but I did help fix one or two 50 or 60 years ago! Electrics, like all british bikes of that era, definitely a weak point. Amazingly there was a thriving Bantam racing club and a huge amount of knowledge around extreme tuning which turned a bland two stroke in to buzzing racer. I raced at Bantam Club events as a member but always in the production classes which they hosted. I suspect it would now be difficult to tap in to all that old expertise although a somewhat inactive Bantam club forum still exists.

From the classic point of view a simple two-stroke is very easy to keep on the road. Its not fussy about fuel and will smokily plod along indefinitely.