Sold 1960 BSA 125 BANTAM

[Akulaking]

A friend of mine has inherited this from his late father in law, who bought it in 1986 and restored it sometime afterwards the V5 says he was the 2nd owner since 1982. It’s declared manufactured 1960 so it’s probable that the paperwork was lost, and re issued in 82. Either that or it was imported then.
Anyway, it has a current V5 and runs well. It’s in good condition but obviously a very old restoration. Hasn’t been used for years, but run up occasionally and always garaged stored.
Apparently the reg number is worth a few quid, and transferable.
It’s WUT 987
Last MOT was June 06, at 14620 miles. Now showing 14700 miles. It’s had just then one owner in all that time.
He’s looking for £2200 for it.
Contact me if you’re interested and I’ll put you in touch.
It’s 5 mins from me, just off J23 M1 Leics.

 

[Mr Derek]

My first proper bike when I was 17 was a Bantam. I paid £45 for it and sold it for the same a year later. Every ride was an adventure, never knowing when it would break down.

 

[steve hughes]

Thats a very honest looking bike , clearly not been messed with or owned by 15 consecutive L drivers

 

[squibb34]

Why not get the Bantam Club to check it out? Value is derived from originality, but these were low cost commuter bikes that often ended up as bitsas when 'customised' into trees & ditches by over ambitious 16 year olds. They were despised by many, but a useful stepping stone on the way towards getting that first 250.

It's a plunger rear end, so pre 1956, when they changed to swing arm. Early plunger D1 125s had a fishtail silencer & were mist green, or red for the GPO boys. Colour options arrived with the D3 in 1954, when capacity increased to 150cc, but I don't think the luxury of ivory tank sides arrived until the late 50s.

 

[BillWright]

First bike I ever rode around a field, just 13 years old. Then I used a D14 to complete my RAC/ACU training in 1974. Happy days.

I thought they were all 175cc from 1958, so the engine could me to make it learner friendly.

 

[longdog]

First bike I ever rode around a field, just 13 years old. Then I used a D14 to complete my RAC/ACU training in 1974. Happy days.

I thought they were all 175cc from 1958, so the engine could me to make it learner friendly.

Same for me, it was the first bike I ever rode too, I was 12 and I’m 72 now, I couldn’t believe how much faster it was in 2nd gear after changing up for the first time! Very tempting indeed!

 

[AdrianS]

I’ve had a few.
First one was a D7 I bought from a nurse in 1975 for £45. It was a 1966 one and looked in excellent condition. Turned out to be the most unreliable bike I ever had.
The last one I sold about 3 years ago, a D14/4 which I totally did a nuts and bolt restoration, and re paint etc. Before that I was helping part time Rex Caunt in Barwell, who was the no1 parts specialist and advice giver so had access to any bits I needed for trade prices.
They are an easy bike to work on and I can probably rebuild an engine blind folded!
GLWS

 

[Akulaking]

Why not get the Bantam Club to check it out? Value is derived from originality, but these were low cost commuter bikes that often ended up as bitsas when 'customised' into trees & ditches by over ambitious 16 year olds. They were despised by many, but a useful stepping stone on the way towards getting that first 250.

It's a plunger rear end, so pre 1956, when they changed to swing arm. Early plunger D1 125s had a fishtail silencer & were mist green, or red for the GPO boys. Colour options arrived with the D3 in 1954, when capacity increased to 150cc, but I don't think the luxury of ivory tank sides arrived until the late 50s.

That’s interesting, so it’s definitely pre 56 then? Shame he has no more info on it. The V5 says declared manufactured 1960 but I guess that could be wrong.
Here’s a couple of pics of the V5

 

[littleade]

Some interesting info for the OP here

BSA Bantam | Buyers Guide | History

BSA Bantam. Britain's most popular two-stroke, and the most popular British classic ever. Don't buy a BSA Bantam until you've read this guide...

sump-publishing.co.uk

It claims the D1 with the plunger rear suspension was continued until 1963 for the public and even later for the post office. It also says the 125 D1 never had a rear swinging arm. not sure how accurate that is but might be worth checking with the Bantam owners club

BSA Bantam Club

www.bsabantamclub.com

 

[Akulaking]

Some interesting info for the OP here

BSA Bantam | Buyers Guide | History

BSA Bantam. Britain's most popular two-stroke, and the most popular British classic ever. Don't buy a BSA Bantam until you've read this guide...

sump-publishing.co.uk

It claims the D1 with the plunger rear suspension was continued until 1963 for the public and even later for the post office. It also says the 125 D1 never had a rear swinging arm. not sure how accurate that is but might be worth checking with the Bantam owners club

BSA Bantam Club

www.bsabantamclub.com

Brilliant, thank you.

 

[squibb34]

Here is an interesting past auction detail that might help bring things together - a 1960 D1 125cc rather similar to the OPs images, apart from the painted rims: -

.......... https://www.iconicauctioneers.com/1960-bsa-bantam-d1-rec11256-4-peter-0522

I wasn't ever aware that BSA continued D1 plunger, with the old forks as late as this, other than for the GPO & certainly not in black either, so they must be pretty rare now. After all, who would opt for a 4.5 bhp 3-speed 125 when they could have the mighty 175 D5, 7.5 bhp with swing arm suspension, better looks & some chance of keeping up with the traffic, despite still retaining the 3-speed gearbox. We live & learn - they look like fun, but then I remember the performance.......or rather, lack of.

Good luck finding this one a new home.

 

[steve hughes]

I love the MOT records description for the bike. Was the original owner called Robin ?

 

[steve hughes]

Consulting my essential guide to BSA Bantams I wonder if it was originally a Mist Green D1, hence the plungers, but when it was refurbished in the 80’s the then owner decided to use the Bantam Major colour scheme and other mods such as a later exhaust?

I do have a list of the engine and frame pre fixes, hope this helps , if you can read it

 

[steve hughes]

It could be 1960 and an ex postie looking at the frame no’s

 

[Akulaking]

Thanks for all that Steve, interesting reading. Did someone misread Bantam for Batman do you think?

 

[peepingtom]

Thanks for all that Steve, interesting reading. Did someone misread Bantam for Batman do you think?

he was doing an anorgram I suspect slow day at the dvla

 

[Akulaking]

Now sold.