The diminutive BSA Bantam is one of the icons of British motoring in the twentieth century. It was not fast, or glamorous, or particularly well built; but it was cheap, easy to ride and reasonably reliable. It was an introduction to motoring for thousands of men and women in the fifties and sixties, and it still holds an important place in the memory of many. This book charts the huge success of the little bike from Birmingham that started its life in pre-war Germany and went on to conquer the world.
Year-by-year evolution of the BSA Bantam, a simple commuter bike that thousands learnt to ride on. It became the standard GPO ‘telegram bike’ in the 1950s and was a huge success, with 100,000 built in the first four years of production. It’s a story with interesting asides, like the Hummer, Harley-Davidson’s version of the DKW that inspired the Bantam, and survived into the 1960s. But it’s a sad story too – BSA failed to follow up the Bantam’s early success by developing it, and by the mid-1960s it was looking outdated, especially next to the new breed of four-stroke Hondas. That the Bantam was allowed to fizzle out in 1971 symbolised the state of the industry that produced it, but today there’s a thriving community of Bantam owner/riders. The book ends with a guide to buying a secondhand Bantam, along with useful appendices on specifications, engine/frame numbers, and contacts among the clubs and Bantam specialists. Every Bantam owner, or would be owner, needs this book - the Bantam Bible!
128 pages, 64 black & white illustrations, size 5.5 x 8.5 inches. Originally published under the title The Book of the BSA Bantam by W. C. Haycraft, this book is one of The Motorcyclist's Library series published in the USA by Floyd Clymer by arrangement with the original publishers Pitman Ltd. of London, England. It includes complete technical data, service and maintenance information and detailed instructions for the repair and overhaul of the major mechanical and electrical components for all models of the BSA Bantam constructed from 1948 onwards. There is adequate detailed text and diagrams to assist in major refurbishing such as an engine rebuild or even a complete renovation. Applicable to all 125cc and 175cc BSA Bantams including the following touring models: D1, D3, D5, D7, D7D/L, D10, D14, D14/4 & Bantam 175, it is also applicable to the same series of competition models. This publication has been Out-of-print and unavailable for many years and is becoming increasingly more difficult to find on the secondary market and we are pleased to be able to offer this reproduction as a service to all BSA enthusiasts worldwide.
Betty and Nancy Debenham were a pair of young adventurous lady motorcyclists who entered trials competitions on equal terms with men in the 1920's. Although they were serious motorcyclists they never let this get in the way of their tremendous sense of fun. Their spirit shines through in 'Motor Cycling for Women'. A practical and yet at times eccentric and quirky book from a bye-gone era that will make you smile.
Having Triumph Trident & BSA Rocket III in your pocket is just like having a motorcycle marque expert by your side when you're shopping for one of these classic Triumph motorcycles. Benefit from Chris Rooke's years of experience with Triples, learn how to spot a bad bike quickly, and how to assess a promising one like a professional mechanic. Get the right bike at the right price! Packed with good advice - from the difference between models and which is the right one for you, through assessing the engine, paintwork, frame and what are original or aftermarket features - this is the complete guide to choosing, assessing and buying the Triumph Trident or BSA Rocket III of your dreams!
The full history of the popular Triumph Club motorcycle. This ultimate reference source book covers every aspect of these machines, including 22 detailed model profiles, delivery details, technical design specifications, military, police and competition bikes, plus the full story behind the model’s production run.
A one-of-a-kind compendium of motorcycles for the veteran, mid-level rider, or rank beginner with major dreams. Over 100 classic, celebrity, and experimental bikes are showcased, from those of Lawrence of Arabia to the world's fastest production bike. Over 850 full-color photos.
The BSA Bantam is one of the definitive postwar British bikes, perhaps THE definitive British lightweight built after World War II. It was certainly the most popular, with over 400,000 built over a 23-year production run ââ?¬â?? in the first four years, production broke all records. Yet it would die a lingering death, production fizzling out in the early 1970s as a neglected model of a manufacturer more concerned with building big, fast road-burning bikes. The Bantam might never have happened without World War II. The prewar DKW RT125 was offered to the Allies as reparations, taken up and produced in the USA, USSR, even Japan! In East Germany it was revived as the MZ, and in Britain it surfaced publicly in 1948 as the BSA Bantam, a very simple little 123cc two-stroke, with rudimentary electrics, no rear suspension and a lot of charm. The little bike became part of Britain's social history. Thousands of people learnt to ride on a Bantam, or had their first pillion experience on one, or rode one delivering telegrams for what was the GPO. Although many of those learners progressed to bigger, faster bikes, then gave up two wheels for family life, they won't have forgotten the Bantam, which explains why there's such a thriving Bantam community to this day ââ?¬â?? the club, the racing club, the spares specialists, and restorers, owners and riders all over the country. This might not be Britain's most glamorous motorcycle, its fastest or most flamboyant, but the Bantam is probably the most loved.
Within this Gold Portfolio there are 60 articles including 23 road test reports. Includes touring, new model reports, performance data, specifications and tuning. This portfolio also covers: • Road Tests • Touring • New Model Reports • Performance Data • Specifications • Tuning • Road Rocket • Gold Flash • Super Rocket • Gold Star • Star Twin • Shooting Star
