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
Very good write up, Scotty. ¨Reparations¨ goes under the general heading of ¨Might makes Right¨. Aside from that, not only did BSA receive the design of the machine, they were given the entire production line, all technical drawings and plans as well as designs for the future; but all of that wasn.t enough, no no no, they had to ¨improve¨ the electronics with Lucas. The very definition of arrogance, bordeing on stupidity.
That would be a fun around town putt putt.
Sweet looking bike. Oddly, my 53 Indian Brave looks like it’s twin brother in red. The Brave is a 250cc, but even the motor design looks the same… Nice tip on the carburetor as mine needs a rebuild.
I own a completely original 1951 D1, and I’d have to say this one is very far from a “complete restoration”. It’s an amateur re-do, at best. It’s nice enough to putt around on, but it’s not any sort of investment grade.
The most jarring thing to me was the paint – it’s nowhere near the correct Mist Green, and pretty poorly applied. Good luck to the seller getting that kind of money for it.
Owned 3 BSAs in my life. A 1971 Gold Star 500cc single, great bike, never had a problem. Don’t forget to use the compression release when starting. Next was a ’60s something 250 basket case. Missing parts, no title, gave it away. Finally, a 1943 BSA Lee Enfield No. 4 Mk 1 303 caliber rifle. Nice gun, supposedly the fastest bolt action military rifle. Never fired it. Gave it to an English WW2 vet. He was happy. Note to Scotty, great write-up (as usual).
I had a ’59 B-33 Sportsman. Not a powerhouse by a long shot but it was reliable as they come. It was the only bike I had that could vapor lock in hot weather and heavy traffic. Running premium gas alleviated it somewhat but it was a hot-running motorcycle. But it served me well for the two years I had it. Wish I still had it…
My brother bought a Bantam 125 Rigid Frame for $5.00 back in ’66. It was stripped of fenders and levers. Basically what he got was a frame, engine, wheels and gastank. And what was left of the seat. We hopefully rigged a piece of wire to the throttle slide and ran it up between the seat and the tank. I still remember seeing the oil cup in the filler cap, reading: “Two Measures of Oil per One Gallon Petrol.” Basically the engine wouldn’t run. I remember looking at the outer case with the coil and points and seeing that all the printing was upside down and the ignition cable plug was underneath. Rolled it around so it was rightside up, made up a new plug wire and rolled away. It started popping right away, and soon it was alive.
The kid who sold it to my brother was somewhat incensed because he thought he had a dud. It was now worth a lot more than $5.00.
Anyways, my brother tired and he sold it for the princely sum of $35.00. It went through a couple of guys then ended up somewhere in Great Falls. I seriously hope that it found a good home.
We were at a meet of the Seniors Bike Club in Kalispell and a guy showed up on a Bantam he recently restored. It was a good job for sure. The pic I attached is not of that bike but the resemblence is almost identical…
Geo, you really need to write a book. I enjoyed that as much as I enjoyed Scottys write up. Its the back stories and peoples past that makes this site interesting. Thank you
-Dave