A step-by-step guide to buying a secondhand BSA Bantam, with everything the buyer needs to know: assessment of engine, transmission, frame, paintwork and chrome, tinwork, wheels and tyres, brakes, electrics, and an explanation of engine and frame numbers. Includes a run-down of the various Bantam models and an assessment of which offers the best investment potential, plus advice on auctions, paperwork, lack of use problems and useful contacts. One hundred photos illustrate this practical, straightforward guide to buying a secondhand BSA Bantam.
There are lots of books about the BSA Bantam, about its history, performance, lineage and the minutae of its specification, but none of them will tell you what to look for when buying one secondhand. That’s what this book is about – it aims at being a straightforward, practical guide to buying a used Bantam. It won’t list all the correct colour combinations for each year, or analyse the bike’s design philosophy, or consider its background as part of a troubled industry – there are excellent books listed at the end of this one which do all of that. But hopefully it will help you avoid buying a dud. Point by point, it takes the reader through everything that needs looking at when buying a Bantam, plus spares prices, which is the best model to buy for your needs, a look at auctions, restorations and paperwork. Over 23 years of production, the Bantam is for some the definitive postwar British lightweight, with all its strengths, weaknesses and character. Although there might seem to be a wide range of models and special editions, all are based around the same 123, 148 or 174cc two-stroke engine. There were plenty of changes over the years, but none of them altered the basic format of this classic British commuter. But aside from all the history, the Bantam remains a tremendous classic to own. It might not have the glamour of a big road-burning Bonneville or Gold Star, but the Bantam remains the most affordable route into classic bike ownership – better still, it’s a lot of fun!
No-nonsense, straightforward handbook to buying a Bantam
Detailed, step-by-step guide to points to look for
Restore, or pay more to start with?
Spares prices
Relative value when viewing each model
Auction guide
Problems that arise from lack of use
Useful contacts – clubs, parts suppliers, restorers
