Nige’s dad had a red BSA Bantam D7 in the mid 60’s.
Since being told his dad had one, Nige has dreamed of owning one since. Keep your eyes peeled.
The British Small Arms (BSA) Bantam was based on a German design, the DKW RT 125, which the Allies of World War II received as war reparations. BSA launched the first model, the D1, in 1948. Motorcycles based on the RT125 also went into production in other countries.
BSA built the Bantam in Redditch. It was designed as a mirror image of the RT 125, so that the gearchange was on the right side, in conformity with other British motorcycles of the period, and with measurements changed from metric to inches. The model Bantam, the D1, was launched in 1948 outside of the UK and in 1949 within the UK. It was in production until 1963. It had a three-speed gearbox, and a telescopic front fork with undamped springs. In its original form the D1 had no rear suspension; “direct” electrics; and a “fishtail” silencer. The front mudguard was deeply valanced, to allow for the fact that it was fitted to the “sprung” part of the front fork, meaning that the front wheel moves up and down within the mudguard. At first the D1 was offered in only one colour, Mist Green, with an ivory panel painted on each side of the fuel tank. It was priced at £60 plus purchase tax.
In subsequent years BSA developed the Bantam with battery electrics; damped front suspension; rear suspension with plungers, and then with a swinging arm; larger engines; a steel silencer that could be dismantled for cleaning; and a four-speed gearbox. Models from 1959 onward have a swinging arm frame that bears little relation to the rigid, plunger and initial swinging-arm versions. However, the form of the original engine remained recognisable throughout the 23 years of Bantam production.
| Model name | Years | Engine | Top speed | No. of gears | Rear | Electrics | Colour scheme |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| D1 | 1948–1963 | 123 cc, 4 bhp (3 kW) | 45 mph (72 km/h) | 3 | Rigid 1948–56 Plunger 1953–63 | Wipac or Lucas | Mist-green |
| Bantam de luxe/ BD1 | 1949–1953 | 123 cc, 4 bhp (3 kW) | 45 mph (72 km/h) | 3 | Wipac or Lucas | Black | |
| D3 | 1954–1957 | 148 cc, 5.3 bhp (4.0 kW) | 50 mph (80 km/h) | 3 | Plunger 1954–56 Swinging arm 1956–57 | Wipac | Grey, black, or maroon |
| D5 | 1958 | 173 cc, 7.4 bhp (5.5 kW) | 57 mph (92 km/h) | 3 | Swinging arm | Wipac | Maroon or black |
| D7 | 1959–1966 | 173 cc, 7.4 bhp (5.5 kW) | 57 mph (92 km/h) | 3 | Swinging arm | Wipac | Red or blue |
| D10 | 1967 | 173 cc, 10 bhp (7 kW) | 57 mph (92 km/h) | 3 | Swinging arm | Wipac with coil ignition | Blue & silver or Blue and chrome |
| D10 | 1967 | 173 cc, 10 bhp (7.5 kW) | 57 mph (92 km/h) | 4 | Swinging arm | Wipac with coil ignition | Red and chrome. Orange and white |
| D14 / 4 | 1968–1969 | 173 cc, 12.6 bhp (9.4 kW) | 65 mph (105 km/h) | 4 | Swinging arm | Wipac | Black or blue. Red & Chrome, orange & white |
| D175 / B175 | 1969–1971 | 173 cc, 12.6 bhp (9.4 kW) | 65 mph (105 km/h) | 4 | Swinging arm | Wipac | Blue, red or black. orange & white |
Pre-1958 (D1 to D3) had 19 inch wheels and 4.5 inch brakes. The 1958 D5 had 18 inch wheels and 4.5 inch brakes. 1959 D7 and later models had 18 inch wheels and 5 inch brakes front and rear.