Description
By: Owen Wright .
THE BSA Bantam was for many thousands of motorcyclists their first introduction to a world on two wheels. `Bantam' became the regular household word for a lightweight motorcycle, and throughout the 1950s and early 1960s this cheap and cheerful little two-stroke machine appealed to young and old, male and female. The Bantam was versatile, simple to ride and easy to maintain.
It was eventually used by people in all walks of life: from learners and commuters to Post Office telegram delivery boys, and from missionary aid workers in the remotest parts of Africa to the sheep-herders of the Australian outback.
The BSA Bantam was British only by adoption, having been derived from a pre-war German DKW design, but it became an immediate and huge success. With over 400,000 machines produced by the Birmingham Small Arms company, it richly deserves to be included in the list of classic British motorcycles.
BSA Bantam covers the entire Bantam legend from its introduction in 1948 to the end of manufacture in 1971. Separate chapters tell the story of its production history, technical development and the people involved. Dedicated sections are also included that describe the many aspects of owning and looking after a Bantam. There are also tables compiling model-by-model specifications, yearly production changes, facts and details, engine and frame numbers and a special register of GPO-specification models. There is also plenty of advice for enthusiasts and restorers with a listing of key spares suppliers, services and clubs.
This book will not only bring back fond memories to former `Bantamites' who either rode a Bantam to work on L-plates or once held a Formula Bantam racing competition license, but will also provide an invaluable companion to present-day Bantam owners everywhere.
