Starting life as a DKW after WWII, as part of Germany’s war reparations, Birmingham Small Arms Company (BSA) modified these incredibly popular motorcycles and sold hundreds of thousands of them to consumers, businesses, and government agencies beginning in 1948. This 1953 BSA Bantam D1 can be found here on Facebook Marketplace in Newborn, Georgia, and the seller is asking $4,900. Here is the original listing, and thanks to PRA4SNW for the tip!
Mist Green was the only color that was available in the early models. This example is said to have had a “complete restoration,” but a lot of the details haven’t been done, and it’s priced higher than Hagerty’s #1 Concours-condition value of $4,600. This example, while appearing nice, is far from a #1 Concours condition. I’d say somewhere between #3 good and #2 excellent, which puts it around $3,000 or so. What are your thoughts on it, given the photos showing rust on fasteners and other things that need work to bring it up a level? Some owners experienced issues with what was said to be a problematic second gear, which could break and require splitting the engine cases to fix it. The center stand could be problematic, but this one appears to be working fine. And, of course, the electrics.
This example has rear shocks, or plungers. It was one of the two models available: a hard tail with no rear suspension, and a “plunger” with shocks, or plungers as seen here. Some BSA aficionados preferred the hard tail for its clean look, both figuratively and literally, as in you didn’t have to grease the rear shocks, potentially creating a mess both during and after lubing them. I believe part of the shock, or plunger, should be chrome. As reportedly the largest maker of motorcycles in the ’40s and ’50s, BSA made some incredible motorcycles, even if some were copies of other brands. The small Bantam was a popular starter motorcycle, and hundreds of thousands of folks learned how to ride a gas-powered two-wheeler on a model like this D1. With a saddle height of just 26 inches, this is one low motorcycle. As a comparison, my Honda Motocompo has a 21-inch seat height, just 5 inches lower. Curiously, there was no D2, but in 1954, BSA added a bigger 150-cc D3 version.
The photo above shows the very non-#1 Concours-level bike being offered. That isn’t to say that the restoration wasn’t a good one, but details like the bolts and speedometer would really bring it up a notch. Bring a chain and a padlock with you, as this bike doesn’t have a key. You turn the black knob on the headlight bucket, kick it over, and away you go. Or away anyone else goes. Lock it up. At around 160 pounds, this is a no-brainer for a couple of ne’er-do-wells to lift into the back of a pickup, and you’d never see it again.
Based mostly on the German DKW RT125, the BSA Bantam D-series of motorcycles was made from 1948 all the way until after the moon landing in 1971. That’s quite a run for such a basic motorcycle. The D1 model was made from ’48 until ’63. The seller has this one listed as both a D2, which there is no such thing, and a D3, which would be a later model. Delivery companies used them with mostly teenage riders, so they were tough. Unfortunately, the electrics, either the infamous Lucas or Wico Pacy (Wipac), were a trouble spot, and a common problem involves a lot of shaking, especially at higher speeds, which causes the points to disengage, bolts to loosen, and even the exhaust can loosen. Regular maintenance involves going through all of the points of contact and tightening things up.
Some polishing and other detail work is needed here as well in order to bring it up a notch, value-wise. The engine is a DKW-based design modified by BSA, which changed the kick starter and shifter to the right side. It’s a 123-cc two-stroke single with an Amal carb from the factory. Some owners change those to Mikuni carbs for a bit of an upgrade in reliability. The engine was rated at 4 horsepower, and power is sent through a three-speed transmission. The seller has provided a nice video showing this one running and driving, so please check out the link. Have any of you owned a BSA Bantam?
Unique classic, Scotty. Agree that this is not worth paying the asking price IMHO but if it strikes a chord for someone all’s the better. Obviously it has needs.
GLWTS