The bantam in Orval 2013

Ride Report from the UK

Every 3th wekend from september we have a bike gathering. The last years we start to have guests from the UK, Holland, ... These persons tend to have great adventure's on the way! One of them is Chris Woolley who made it this year with a Bsa Bantam!

The story can be found here!

Winter service 02

1.Looks like the old rear brake's are ready for some new shoe's!

2. And some new rear bearings

Allmost done!

3. My rear chain fell off a couple of time's on a drive. So keep on working!

remove the rear of the bike

Remove the rear swing arm

good cleaning & inspection. (some small signs of wear)

Weld lot's of small points, smooth them out and you are ready to go!

It's allmost 4 years that i own my little Bsa! 

Merry X-Mas!

Winter service 2012 part 01

So... it's time for winter service!

The front fork was worn out.

Ready for another 10000km's :-) + the lower mounting bolts have new thread in them (helicoil M6)

The worn out steering bolts

With a new helicoil M8 in them! (and RVS bolts!)

Soon more! :-)

Improving the engine -> Primary chain tensioner

After the last service i placed a new primary chain. It was better... but still not what is was hoping for.
So thanks to Peter Savage and his very well made Primary chain tensioner. It's all solved!

She runs like a charm! It's a really great improvement!

Road queen!

Use the bike where it's build for!

Check out 6-Volt Blog!

Front fork bushes

A complete set of brass fork bushes suitable for BSA Bantam D14.
Includes two top bushes (with lip) and two lower bushes.
Measurements are:

Upper Bush
Outer Diameter -32.75mm
Lip Outer Diameter - 34.95mm
Inner Diameter - 28.58mm

Lower Bush
Outer Diameter - 32.68mm
Inner Diameter Max- 28.47mm
Inner Diameter Inner Lip - 25.25mm
OEM: 97-3775, 97-3776

Harley hummer in the shop!

Check out the lovely machine in the shop!

Testdrive

The bantam is ready for a winter snow drive this saturday & sunday!

Let it snow!

Howd1's snow picture!

Lewis Leathers, Lumber Jacket No,699 Lumber Jacket

Ok, it's not safe to drive it on a Motorcycle. But the bantam is not that fast so ...

 I like it!

1930s/40s and early 1950s D Lewis catalogue scans showing the Lumber jacket on the left and Countryman

First up is the Countryman jacket, the example we have in our archive, with its large printed label, dates from the WW2 era. The jacket is constructed from Brown sheepskin, frequently used in jackets of pre and post WW2 Britain, it sports a burgandy blanket lining with an over yoke and sleeve lining made from dark brown acetate rayon. The front of the jacket features a subtely curved yoke and collar, #5 Lightning zipper and pocket flaps with hidden zip closures. The waistband features a tab to reduce strain at the base of the zipper tape and this became a feature on our jackets for many years afterwards.

Both jackets are currently available in the Lewis Leathers shop priced at £675.00 each, this includes our made-to-measure service. Sizes 34" -48" are currently available. For online customers, our website shop should be updated by September 20th.

Stow on the Wold

The ancient stocks still stand in the village square at Stow on the Wold, which is famous for its buildings of brown and yellow Cotswold stone. The machine in the foreground is of course, a BSA Bantam. (link)

Collection time

Collection time, March 1954this young man is taking delivery of a BSA Bantam D1 De Luxe (or perhaps a early D3.) link

trail day

Nice shot from abkengineering.blogspot.com

60's rockers

60's Rockers from HK Rockers on Vimeo.

Budgie

One of many attempted rebirths - this would seem to
be the 'Budgie', a Small Heath-built updated Bantam.

Notice the engine on the seat!

Motorpace racing

Bantams being used for cycle pacing

Motorpace racing was glamorous but dangerous. Falls were common, largely because bicycle tires tended to burst at speed. The riders wore neither helmets nor gloves. They depended on fast reflexes, the rude health of youth, and luck. Despite having all three, Bobby Walthour collected an impressive (or dismaying) inventory of injuries over his career: 28 fractures of the right collarbone, 18 of the left, 32 broken ribs, and 60 stitches to his face and head. Once, according to family history, he was given up for dead in Paris and taken to a morgue, where he regained consciousness on the slab. link

Tools!

There's No Place Like Here: Liberty Tool from Etsy on Vimeo.

Early D1 travel

I think i have posted this pic before but from a differend source. 

So here is it again!

Steve Middleton

I loved that bike! It was slow, had only three gears, and consummately refused ever to kickstart so I always had to bump start it. Nevertheless it went! So the expedition was to see if I could get down to Deal (my new “home” when not at college) on it in one piece. My mother and aunt had moved into a bungalow there after my Dad died. They made a good team at washing student clothing and roast Sunday dinners, and the 80mile trip seemed like a manageable challenge.

This bike was a completely different kettle of fish to my first. For a start it was reliable, i.e. it started with the kickstart and it went well, cruising at 45mph and doing 100mpg. I enjoyed it right from the start. I fitted a handlebar fairing in silver and took to pottering round the leafy Sussex lanes, stopping to explore old Saxon churches and brass rubbings. And of course there were frequent trips down the A2 to Deal with a load of dirty washing to keep the ladies busy.

Some really nice read from steve middleton!

C10L & Bantam

Looks like the lady is more impressed by the bantam ! link

Rider safety film!

REAL NICE D14/4S ON EBAY!

1968 BSA Bantam D14/4S, 175cc, first registered 27/05/1968. The D14/4 Sport had heavy duty front forks, larger bore exhaust down pipe and full width hubs as the earlyer and standard Bantams were smaller.

This Bantam is very original, it has original paintwork/ chrome work, the only place that is not original is on the side pannells, either ride or restore, would make an easy restoration project. The bike is not rotten, just has surface rust, the chrome work should re-chrome if restoration is prefared. The bike will need a thorough checking over before it is used on the road.

Rebuilding a 1967 d10 bushman its a 1 owner with 4000 mls!.

Looks like birdmanmint is doing a good job rebuilding his bushman!

Looks good so far!

"Quite a bit work has been done since those pics, the engine has been completely rebuilt and casings polished.
The wheels and spokes are stainless steel, hubs are powder coated, as is the frame.
The tin work and tank has been resprayed by local lad, the finish is fantastic." By mr Birdmanmint !

Bantam for sale!

Hello all, I now find myself with an embarrassment of Bantams (4) and very little room for them, so I plan to sell my blue one.(Not on original number plate, age related) It has nearly a year's MOT and free tax on it, everything works as it should. I've spent about a year getting it right, so if anyone in the club has a spare £700.00, please ket me know before I have a look at the listing charges on our (not) favourite auction site.

Engine has been rebuilt with the usual bearings seals etc, chain, brake shoes 2 of the cables are new, downside is that the front rim needs replacing if you like shiney chrome, back wheel was rebuilt completely using old components and has been painted black.

Anyone interested can contact me on the forum