The BSA Bantam Bible

All Models 1948 - 1971

Author: Peter Henshaw

The BSA Bantam is one of the definitive postwar British bikes, perhaps THE definitive British lightweight built after World War II. It was certainly the most popular, with over 400,000 built over a 23-year production run ¿ in the first four years, production broke all records. Yet it would die a lingering death, production fizzling out in the early 1970s as a neglected model of a manufacturer more concerned with building big, fast road-burning bikes. The Bantam might never have happened without World War II. The prewar DKW RT125 was offered to the Allies as reparations, taken up and produced in the USA, USSR, even Japan! In East Germany, it was revived as the MZ, and it Britain, it surfaced publicly in 1948 as the BSA Bantam, a very simple little 123cc two-stroke, with rudimentary electrics, no rear suspension and a lot of charm.

The little bike became part of BritainÍs social history. Thousands of people learnt to ride on a Bantam, or had their first pillion experience on one, or rode one delivering telegrams for what was the GPO. Although many of those learners progressed to bigger, faster bikes, then gave up two wheels for family life, they wonÍt have forgotten the Bantam, which explains why thereÍs such a thriving Bantam community to this day ¿ the club, the racing club, the spares specialists, and restorers, owners and riders all over the country. This might not be BritainÍs most glamorous motorcycle, its fastest or most flamboyant, but the Bantam is probably the most loved.

• Year-by-year, change-by-change evolution details
• A complete history of the Bantam
• How it came about ¿ postwar reparations from Germany
• Bantam cousins ¿ Harley and Russian ïBantamsÍ
• Success! ¿ the early years
• Growing up ¿ the 148cc and 175cc Bantams
• Tragedy ¿ lack of development leads to decline
• What might have been ¿ could the Bantam have survived?
• Useful contacts
• Facts & figures
• What to look for when buying a secondhand Bantam

"As always it is well laid out and illustrated with the usual mix of modern and period images as well as advertising and period documentation, with the odd pencil drawing thrown in. The paper quality and general finish of this hardback is excellent and the whole book is an entertaining read about one of Britain's best loved machines ..." ¿ inter-bike.co.uk

"Poultry in motion, useful appendices including frame numbers and details of model changes." ¿ Classic Bike

"Nicely produced, with a wide range of illustrations, this book should interest any Bantam-lover. It's not just about bikes as they left the factory, there is also plenty of coverage of competition use, both on-road and off." ¿ Teme Valley Times

Covers: D1, D1 Competition, D1 Deluxe, D3 Bantam Major, D5 Super, D7 Super, D7 Deluxe, D7 Bantam, Silver, D10 Supreme, D10 Silver, D10 Sports, D10 Bushman, D14/4 Supreme, D14/4 Sports, D14/4 Bushman, B175, B175, Bushman.

Hardback ´ 160 pages ´ 250mm tall x 207mm (9 7/8in tall x 8 1/8in) ´ 250 colour and monochrome pictures