★ BSA BANTAM REVIEW ★

A review on a 1966 bsa bantam
PLEASE LIKE,SHARE AND SUBSCRIBE THANKS :)

[@PhilipBallGarry]

Lovely! Last summer I paused for a flask of coffee and about half a dozen Bantams came past on the lane I was on. The smell of Castrol R lingered even longer than the bikes did ❤

[@speedtriplerider7853]

wow that took me right back - you should try and do more of these older bikes mate

[@andrewgent5887]

D14/4 (14 bhp and 4 gears is what it meant) one of these was my first bike, passed my test on it in 1971. Served me well for a few years and I could strip and completely rebuild the engine on a Saturday morning, …which I needed to do quite often, probably set me up for what was a most enjoyable career in Engineering. Happy days!

[@johnbateman3244]

Brought it all back for me. I bought a year old Bantam D14/4 in 1970 for £119. Passed my test on it 1971. That sound is ingrained in my memory. Thanks for this a great review.

[@markpulling12]

Thanks John sounds great 👍 and I was wondering what kind of money they were back then Cheers mark

[@MichaelHenderson1948]

That took me back a bit ! I passed my test on a 125 Bantam, and later, would borrow a 175 for the occasional 50 mile trip. Lovely little bike, and never any trouble except when I put the sidelight on and the battery would run down. Not on headlight though. Thank you.

[@iancharlesworth3654]

Hey Mark. This was a nice suprise from your usual test rides. I am now a proud owner of a BANTAM D14 1968 MODEL in blue. G reg. It was my Dads. H e bought it brand new back in the day and kept it ever since. Sadly he died in April and said I could have it. He was nearly 89 and rode his bikes up to 84. An accident put paid to that sadly. I'm looking forward to riding it myself this next year. They take some getting used to after riding modern bikes with everything on the opposites. You made me laugh when you was coming up to the junction because the brakes are shocking on theses bikes. I'll never sell it and will no doubt pass it on to my nephew who's a biker too. Dads Grandson. (he needs a garage first) I miss the old lad. Strange times not having him around anymore. THANKYOU. 👍

[@markpulling12]

Thanks Ian ... enjoy the bantam great fun ..... sorry to hear about your dad ...he'll be glad you are riding it Best wishes mark

[@andyc750]

Brilliant bikes, see them.raced regularly at our local club races, a couple have had water-cooling conversions and they go really well, much quicker than standard, a lot you can do to make them go well, used to work with a fella who bought one new, had a screen, leg shields and handlebar muffs from.new and he rode it to work every day for over 20 years rain, snow or shine, it was immaculate still and dealt with the Cambridge A14 twice a day and it was also transport for him and his Mrs as they only used their car for going on holiday and at Xmas, that was a bought new Ford Anglia and in the mid 80's, it only had 2000 or so miles on it, the bike had done many times the mileage of the car, he wouldn't part with neither the bike nor car despite being offered a lot of money for them.

[@gavmusic]

Thanks Matk, I always remember how happy my dad was, after a few years without a bike, to be offered a 1967 Bantam by one of his uncles. He had it for a year or so, then got a Triumph 650, which spent more time in the dealer's workshop than on the road, before turning Japanese with a Honda CB500-4. I really enjoyed this journey down memory lane with you (especially being reminded of praying the bike was in neutral as you gingerly let out the clutch). I'd be happy to see you take the occasional trip to the past. I always enjoy your videos.

[@markpulling12]

Thanks gavin 😁 appreciate that 😁

[@user-rf9me7xm1w]

Wow, I'm sure this will stir the memories of loads of bikers. My first bike was a D7, purchased in 1966., I enjoyed every minute riding it, despite it's many problems. It was great once the points, plug and petrol/oil mixture had been sorted. Fast forward 58 years and I'm still enjoying what I started on my bantam. Great content Mark, very nostalgic for many of us.

[@markpulling12]

Thanks....I hoped lots of you would enjoy this who rode these bantams in the 60/70s Cheers mark

[@stevietrucker4631]

Wow absolutely amazing. Motorbikes have certainly moved on. Great video 👍

[@fengbi5653]

What a great trip down memory lane. I’ve had 3 Bantams in the past and never had to take them to a dealer to service everything is so easy to repair. Thanks again Mark for a great review.👍

[@markpulling12]

@@fengbi5653 thanks great little bikes :)

[@williamplatt9827]

Bought a 1971 B175 Bantam a few months ago, what a great wee bike it is (was brought up on old Brit bikes back in the 70's). Another very informative review, more classic bikes would be a nice change from time to time.

[@lesmaybury793]

Well that was a nice surprise. I had a 1958 D5. 3 speeds, 175cc, the first 175. It was a hand-me-down from my big sister. Mark is right about the constant fettling required but they are simple, easy to work on and reliable, for a while! I tuned mine. I ported it, 1¼" Amal TT carb, George Todd head and close ratio gears, a challenge with only 3 of them, and lots more. It would fly but needed constant attention after that. It was fun with an expansion chamber without baffles. There is tons of information still availble for tuning and simple improvements including great little ignition systems. The definative book on Bantam history is the "Bantam Bible".

[@christophermoody6925]

hiya from chris, i was a telegram boy in 1971 1972 a post office service we were part of the telegram delivery force i rode abantom 125 avery relaxed slow post office bike but all the other company bikes were 175 bantoms ,i even at that time had abrand new 175 bantom company bike ,we did not own them ,ni indicators so had to give hand signals when turning or slowing down, bsa stood for bloody saw arse ,because of the hard seat ,they took alot of punishment, i owed ahonda c90 and honda st 70 ,much better bikes ,at that time i would have liked to own a125 suzuki stinger or yamaha 200 electric but out of price range as was the honda 250 dream or triumph bonnaville, memories of a youthful time now at 70 years i have purchased a new honda dax great bike ,ride safe 😀

[@markpulling12]

Thanks Chris 🙂 great comment:)

[@wdboweryengineers]

I currently own a Kawasaki z1000sx & a BSA Bantam, I can honestly say I’m equally happy riding either. The bantam is a perfect entry level classic British bike and ideal for the diy mechanic , bikes don’t come more simple or charming 👍

[@markpulling12]

@@wdboweryengineers totally get that ... riding the bantam at 40 mph through the countryside is heaven Cheers mark

[@norsehall309]

G'day Mark, finally your on a real classic bike, you either love them or not but old bike where the new modern bike of their time, great review as always love seeing you on the bike, cheers mate, Neil 🤠.

[@markpulling12]

Thanks Neil hopefully more classic bikes on the way ... really enjoy riding them ... very different feel to modern machines Cheers mark

[@clangerbasher]

The classic bike market at the sensible end is going through a bit of crisis now. I commented on somebody else's video recently I could get all the classics I would like in good for about £10k total cost. You need to do more reviews of earlier bikes.

[@jimevans9550]

I had nearly every Bantam from a D1 to a D14/4. Even raced one. Great little bikes and yes, the 14/4 would definitely do 65. They were certainly easy to work on - they needed to be as you needed to work on them pretty regularly. I once rebuilt a clutch at the side of the road with a beer can as a spring compressor.

[@johnbellamy6449]

thanks Mark . very enjoyable . my wife has a D1 Bantam 125 1951 in our living room on display . its in nice condition . also a 1951 James Captain 197 cc the other end of the living room . my idea nice to look at . keep em coming ,great stuff .

[@steveh7823]

Thanks for a very different, fun review. Those bikes have strong support from older riders since they gave guys/girls their first taste of freedom. For the next generation in the 70's, Japanese 50cc bikes had same effect. The famous Suzuki AC50 and the Yam Fizzer, maybe also Puch and Zundapp. I guess teens today will see their 125 scooters in the same light a few decades from now.

[@martinehulme8743]

I'm grateful to all those who cherished and stored these old bikes over the years.. so we know where our modern day bikes came from 🎉... Sounds awesome, I bet it smells a dream ❤.. fabulous Mark ‼️🎉x

[@markpulling12]

Thanks as always Martine 😄 x

[@markfranks1329]

A little late, once again, Mark, but this has certainly brought back some memories. The first bike I ever rode was a Bantam. It was not road legal.(Nor were we. We were 14 🤭). We had to push it to a farmer's field and ride it there. However, it was exhilarating bouncing across the grass but most significantly, from the first ride, I knew that biking was going to be a passion. From that warm, halcyon late summer of 1975 right up to a cold, wet, miserable day now in mid December 2024, I owe my love of motorcycles to a battered old BSA Bantam that had seen better days. This is, for me, is a very special bike. Keep these coming, Mark. 👍

[@markpulling12]

Hi mark thanks great comment:) 😄 Hopefully bsa c15 next Cheers mark

[@markfranks1329]

@markpulling12 Nice. 👍

[@jacketrussell]

Good honest little bikes. Cheap to run and rebuild. Bantams always put a smile on your face. I've got 2 D7 Bantams which get used more than any other bike in my garage.

[@ianhalliwell8604]

Reminds me of when i was sixteen back in the sixties when a bike was for transport and not necessarily for leisure. Getting you from A to B was the aim back then unfortunately it never attracted the girls unless they were really adventurous.

[@Tojj29]

What a beaut! Love em, remember riding one up a track on Portland when I was 14.👌👌

[@collord7249]

took my d7 from notts to hatfield and back in one day for a job interview 40 years ago...anyone remember Gaggs on alfreton road nottingham....they had everything...and lenton engineering...happy days...

[@ernstarado7578]

I had a D14 back in 1972 - First bike I ever did 60mph on. A bugger to start in cold weather, had to tickle the carb to get it going. 6V electrics too.

[@colinhailey830]

That bought back some memories. Loads of my generation learnt to ride; do maintenance; tune carbies; etc on Bantams. Great littl bikes and nearly unkillable.

[@531c]

I had a D7 and a D 14/4 back in 1978. I was 17 . Every month i cleaned the exhaust baffles in a vain attempt to get it to run better. It never ran very well but at that age it represented freedom. The curling blue 2 stroke smoke will stay in my memory.

[@sproutandkidneysoup2296]

Nice review as always. A friend had one of those in the 70's, a purple one with a full fairing. I rode it a few times and I remember it being quite vibey but like you said, an enjoyable ride.

[@JimTimber]

My cousin restored one of these back in the 1980's ..when he finished it it looked amazing in black.. his was only about 50 mph too.. I was on the back of it as pillion and we went to the local pub for a ploughmans and a pint.. happy days !!

[@constantin1959]

I truly didn't know that in 1966 they made such crap! I had a long time ago a 1955 Peugeot 125cc and it seemed as good as your BSA if not better. Thanks for the video.

[@astrostrotch]

What a lovely video Mark, thanks, bought back memories 😊

[@JohnConstable-i7r]

I had a 1968 D14/4 in 1977 as my first "proper" motorcycle when I was 17. The timing kept slipping and blowing the baffles out when it was cold. Spent a lot of time adjusting the points. When it came to taking my test I didn't want to risk it on the Bantam in case it let me down, so borrowed my brother's nearly new Honda CG125 for the test which I passed and then bought a CB550F1.

[@dinomalta712]

Takes me back to my early days of biking, I didn't own a bantam, lots of mates did, so I did borrow them on occasions, Loved the vlog! Cheers, DINO.[Ex Pat!]

[@l0ner1der]

Great video, thanks. I love the older bikes, I get much more of a feeling of being part of the bike than with anything new.. more like this please Mark 👍

[@markpulling12]

@@l0ner1der thanks 👍 hopefully a c15 bsa in the next few weeks Best wishes mark

[@frankboff8185]

Ah BSA Batam, had loads of these, some good and some bloody awful, we even had motorcycle riding lessons on them at school, bet that doesn’t happen now. Thanks for sharing.

[@keithallan8200]

Well that was different Mark. I’m not really a fan of classic bikes, but it was very interesting to hear your take on the experience of riding a Bantam. Like others have said, a few more videos like that wouldn’t go amiss. Thanks for that.

[@bertayoing]

i got given a bantam d7 trials back in early 70's. i remember heating the plug on the cooker and running outside to start it .haha. some fun.in the end i threw it in the river because it was so unreliable.

[@alandmorley]

a friend of mine had one, it would never start absolute rubbish. He traded it in for a cd175, much better.

[@lycian123]

The Americans got Wernher von Braun, we got the Bantam. A colleague in the seventies used to race bikes with this engine.

[@stennerjs]

My first bike was a BSA Bushman - designed for the 'colonial market' - NZ and OZ. The electrics (Wico-Pacy) were very unreliable, the exhaust needed de-coking with soda to keep it clear, but I have fond memories all the same. The orginal engines were taken as part of war reparations from Germany (NSU) - then were remade as the infamous MZ, of which I had 5 - very solid bikes with loads of aluminium parts such as the subframe. My favourite 'German Bantam' was the TS 150 Eagle - a tireless, economical workhorse.

[@michaelmahon8896]

Post office used them I believe

[@melfzs]

My first road bike was a blue and chrome 1968 D14/4 175 , I was on the road the day I was sixteen, I used to go every where on it and used it daily for work, I had good memories on it , but It failed me plenty of times, mainly through flooding the crankcase when it wouldn't start 😅, but they had a drain plug at the bottom of the crankcase to drain it , it made me late for work quite a few times, I was glad when I passed my test and bought a four stroke and never bought a two stroke again ! 😅 but yes fond memories of that era.

[@markpulling12]

Thanks my first bike at 16. 1986...was an Mz simson 50 cc :) Cheers mark

[@LarryBees]

my first real bike was a new d175 in 1969. £175 Passed my test on her.. I loved it . For years

[@grahamlloyd7046]

I bought my first Bantam for my 81st birthday a 1956 D3 150c, I’ve since ridden it the length of South Island New Zealand and recently just come back from a bantam rally in the North Island, my previous bike was a 1972 Triumph 650cc 120 V which was sold due to ill health, the ego took a bit of hammering getting a bantam but it’s been the best move I’ve made, I can still ride bigger bikes it’s the stopping that’s the problem, I’m now 84 and hope to be still riding the bantam at 90 touch wood.

[@markpulling12]

Brilliant Graham sounds fantastic 😊😊 cheers mark

[@alancartwright2244]

Best of all was the 1970-71 B175, which was a higher tuned version of the D14/4. Easy way to see the difference is that B175 has a vertical spark plug and wider diameter (stiffer) front forks, all of which made for a surer ride. With 14bhp, it would hold its own against my friend's Honda 125. Longest ride was Staffordshire to Hatfield, to stay with my sister, down the old A5, as I hadn't passed my test. Cruising at 60-65mph was OK, with absolute top speed of just about 70. That is after I had cleaned back the ports and skimmed the head. Back in 1974, there were still BSA dealerships (with spares) around, as BSA only went bust in 1973. Once I passed my test, I found a 1973 A65 Lightning - £400! Wish I had never sold that!

[@xt225]

Great stuff Mark, hopefully the start of something (plenty to choose from ). Agricultural gearbox you say, just like my Ducati. 👍👍

[@Christophers-Assorted-Stuff]

I had a 125 rigid frame Bantam 58 years ago. I wasn't old enough to ride it on the road but it was good fun round the field. I have always liked small bikes, they are easy to work on, 2 strokes being the easiest. The Villiers engined bikes were my favourite for a while but the best bikes I owned were Lambrettas, I had all models in all engine sizes. 125's were not common in this country in those days. We would usually get a 150 and have it bored out to 175.

[@michaelclutton8446]

I have a 1951 D1 Bantam, bought it around 40 years ago. I once got 50 mph on the clock down a steep hill.

[@BibTheBoulderTheOriginalOne]

There's a real gap in the KZbin market for this type of review. There's a woman does a series on classic cars (Steph drives a classic) and I for one enjoyed this.

[@markpulling12]

Thanks Julian ...I'll try and get hold of a few more:)

[@ICEFREEDOM]

Check out 'Road Trips In Cornwall UK' , owns a D1 and goes to Vintage /Classic bike meets :)

[@ICEFREEDOM]

Nice bike, they did a 150cc as well between 54-57. I own a 1953 Di which is great fun for buzzing round the lanes in Cornwall and going to local Vintage / Classic vehicle meets

[@Colin-ci5ll]

Hi Mark great review as always. If i am not mistaken they sill race these bantams over in England. I remember when i was at Grammar school in Belfast there was a bloke used to come to school on one every day. I did a walk around review of one about a month ago it's up there somewhere in my channel. The one i reviewed was green. Cheers Mark.

[@markpulling12]

Thanks Colin I'll take a look Cheers mark

[@jimsadler8704]

A bit of a change for you, Mark. I passed my test in 1962 when Bantams were all the rage for a cheap (even when new) general run around. Maintenance was pretty easy with the worst job being the frequent de-carbonising of the exhaust system with caustic soda. This wouldn’t be as often nowadays with the far superior oils available. I used to attend the Bemsee meetings at Snetterton where souped up Bantams were raced, and did they move. Seizures were frequent. Simplicity is the essence of classic bikes which is the main reason why my two bikes now are a 1958 Velocette Venom and a 1969 Norton Commando Fastback.

[@markpulling12]

@@jimsadler8704 thanks Jim 😉 great comment

[@pommiegranite464]

I had a BSA Bantam when I was 17. Spent more time trying to get it running than I spent riding it. Enjoyed it though! Fond memories.

[@user-rf9me7xm1w]

Oh yes, those points ! I was forever fiddling with them.

[@pommiegranite464]

@@user-rf9me7xm1w Me too!

[@gurbie]

I had a ‘66 A65. Ride for an hour, work on it for an hour, pretty much the drill.😊

[@pommiegranite464]

@@gurbie Yes, I had an A7 like that many years after the Bantam - that was even worse! Got to laugh about it now, eh? You take care.

[@Terence-e5k]

lol whata memories.u can stick too

[@paulmewett528]

Love it. I believe my brother in Bognor Regis has at least 1 maybe 2. Great to see these old bikes getting g some review time. Cheers Mark.

[@markpulling12]

Thanks Paul 😀 great stuff 👍

[@rosswootton8825]

BSA did offer a 150cc engine for a while between the 125cc and 175cc versions. The four speed gearbox came only towards the end with the D14/4 and B175 models so I understand.

[@1990-t1j]

When I was a lad, I had a Honda CD175K3. My mate had a BSA Bantam 175. He couldn't keep up with me. Lol! Enjoyable review. Nick

[@markpulling12]

Haha thanks nick those cd175 s were great 👍

[@ry491]

I also had a Honda 175 K3 . Has a Bantam before that . The Honda was like a Rolls in comparison . Very smooth and quite powerful . No wonder Japanese bikes took over . I am 85 now and still ride a Rebel 250 cruiser . Hope to ride for many years yet ... Government permitting !!!

[@markpulling12]

@ry491 hi thanks was that a cb175 or cd175 ....I might get one Best wishes mark

[@turbobox7234]

Awesome! It'd be nice to see more of these types of rides they are very interesting and charming to see them go.

[@ianlawrie919]

A delightful surprise! Great little presentation 👏🏻👍🏻👌🏻

[@thimbur3543]

My first bike was a D14/4 Bantam back in the early 70s (1971 reg). Bought it from a guy who'd got a job lot from the local council where they'd been used by Park Rangers. Came with panniers (which I kept on) and legs guards (which I removed). Rode if for a few years commuting to work and going off for days out and weekends and more camping in the Yorkshire Dales and the Lake District. Passed my test on it (emergency stop was fun as it was raining heavily). The UK government website shows it as taxed, so I assume it's still plodding along. (It's the only bike I can still remember the reg number of - PCW 90J.) Recollections (in no particular order) - 1) Running out of fuel. It would go so far I'd forget to fill up and (as far as I recall) there's no reserve. Luckily, as it's so light and a saddle tank with one tap, you can tip it and get more miles out of it. 2) It blew the baffle out of the exhaust. Very noisy. Fixed by drilling and a couple of self-tapping screws until I sourced a new silencer. 3) Would vibrate the HT lead out of the coil. It's a pretty simple fix but annoying when you just stop unexpectedly. (Yes, I should have learnt to check it regularly.) 4) Anyone can turn it on and kick it up. I ended up removing the switches for ignition and lights when I parked up where I couldn't see it after I caught some kids revving the whatsits out of it at college one day. 5) Lights. It has some is the best you can say. 6) Eventually lost fourth gear (wouldn't select). So I sold it, for not a lot less than I paid for it, and got a hardly used Honda CB250 G5 off a mate's son (he couldn't keep up the HP payments). 7) Easy to look after. Wash it. Oil/grease as needed. Spark-plug, chain, brakes and tyres. That's about it. Oh! You have to carry your own bottle of 2-stroke oil. Overall, at the time, I enjoyed it immensely for the freedom it gave me but it was showing its age even then against the new Japanese bikes.

[@markpulling12]

Fantastic 😊 thanks 👍

[@MoeLarrycurly1]

I remember those carburetors I had a 930 on my '69 triumph tiger and that air cleaner cover..

[@paulbunyon6324]

Years ago I read of a British lady that rode solo on a BSA Bantam across Canada, coast to coast. If I remember correctly she did it in the 1950`s.

[@markpulling12]

@@paulbunyon6324 wow thanks that's some feat ,:)

[@gogglehead7487]

Really enjoyed that one Mark, cheers!!

[@MartinAlAitken]

My first bike when I was 16 in 1970 was a D3 150cc. Cost £5.00. Complete rebuild, paint, road tax and Insurance On road price £20.00 I still have BSA Handbook and all receipts, I'm 71 next year, wish I still had it to supplement the Pension.

[@markpulling12]

Thanks Martin sounds great 👍

[@willgarrod9907]

Really interesting Mark, give us more reviews like this please

[@mitchellnix5274]

The very first time I rode a bike was when a friend let .y ride his restored 125 rigid frame three speed version. I think it had a hand gear chant but I could be wrong. What I know for sure is that it is still the most terrifying things I've ever ridden including modern sports bikes like the R1

[@peter7624]

Mark to get it to top speed you have to get down on the tank in swimming trunks and wind that throttle hard back..

[@markpulling12]

Brilliant 👍😍 I'll get my Speedos out 😂

[@-old-school-motorcyclesltd]

Lovely ride mark I enjoyed that, nice little bike and good to see you explain it so well and discuss! Be nice to see some classics again whenever you get chance! All the best Phil Green

[@markpulling12]

@@-old-school-motorcyclesltd hi Phil thanks...yes I'll try and get hold of a few more classics Cheers mark

[@stephenkearney8589]

Hi Mark, I spent my formative biking years around numerous Bantams, starting with a 1962 D7 (7 BHP, 175CC, 3 speed) in 1968, finally ending with a 1970 B175 a few years later. Now, without putting too fine a point on it, I wouldn't have one in the house or anywhere else. The bike's potential was ruined by being built down to a price, a mean, miserable, penny pinching price, that resulted in all sorts of failures from broken engine mountings, to failed fork seals, to weak mudguard brackets, to useless electrics, to mangled kickstart splines to broken gear lever return springs - and a whole host of other niggles. BSA must have known these shortcomings but did nothing about them for 20 years, only rectifying some of them with the last of the line in the form of the B175 - but even that continued to break gear lever return springs. Basically BSA had no faith in the Bantam: it was not deemed worthy of development. One thing though, you suggest that the Bantam's brakes are not very good. That was not my experience; they mightn't have looked much but they sure worked. The Bantam actually originated in pre-war Germany, as a DKW; BSA got is as part of war reparations. And of course the East Germans got it too,. And what did they do with it? They developed it into the MZ 250, a machine so superior to the Bantam that it's hard to believe they ever had a common starting point. Its main bearings, for instance, were the same size as those on the Norton Commando! The Bantam is a classic example of what went wrong with the British bike industry: a basically good design hopelessly let down by bad - and arrogant - management and when eventually long overdue improvements were introduced, the damn thing was put out of production - yet another casualty of the Power Set fiasco - but that's another story. .

[@markpulling12]

Thanks Stephen...lots of great info there many thanks Best wishes mark

[@Jean-de-lune]

I had a 3=speed 176cc Bantam around 1966 - it had an 'endearing' habit of jumping out of 2nd gear and once it was going in 3rd it could manage about 50mph tops. Other than that a great wee bike which I had until I bought a Triumph Tiger Cub 200cc.. which I tuned up. Finally BSA 31 500cc and a BSA ex army 500cc ploddee (M20). Then afer a break bought a Honda twin which was much more reliable if no faster!

[@Hinckley_Biker]

My brother had one in the early 70's, that was a D14/4 on a G plate (1969/70) if I remember correctly? It was blue and chrome, I loved it. I used to race him when I got my Honda 50, even with an head start he would beat me!! 🤣

[@patmays7344]

It seems quite nippy. The engine noise makes it seem faster? Haha. Great fun! 🏍️🏍️🏍️

[@jimmyculbert1197]

My 1965 D7,Monobloc carb ran well but did break throttle cables, was it just me! Easy decoke and a splash of R40 in the petroil mix was nice.

[@colingrant8401]

D7 was 175cc. My first bike. Still got the manual somewhere.

[@mrsmith697]

Werry interesting and fun...like it..right hand (foot)) shifter..no stress recommended..

[@Grimspocyrob]

Enjoy your reviews mate thanks for sharing

[@markpulling12]

Thanks I appreciate that 😁

[@garyeverett8757]

Great review Mark.

[@robinmoncrief2470]

I passed my motor bike test on my Fathers BSA Bantam 125cc in 1961. After that I wanted a bike with a bit more power. I thought the Bantam Super 175cc would be great. However it was the worst bike I had known. I bought it new and it was into the dealers most weeks and I was never sure if it would start or let me down on the way home. The dealer eventually took it back and I settled for the four stroke C15. This bike was really good and I had it for a number of years.

[@markpulling12]

I've just bought a c15 !!! Lovely

[@robinmoncrief2470]

Yes I really liked the C15. It was a well made reliable bike. Never ever let me down.

[@emmanuelmartin1238]

Lovely bike, though I thought your intro music was about 30 years to early... maybe some Skiffle -lonnie Donegan etc may have been more apt. You could do regular 'specials' with various eras bikes. Great stuff.

[@derekr54]

I bought a D% from one of my school mates for £25 back in 1970 when we could ride a bike up to 250cc at 16yrs old. I ended up selling it to buy a BSA C15 250 for £95 a few months later.

[@markpulling12]

Thanks Derek just bought a c15 myself... lovely to ride 😁

[@ingopaul67]

The engine technology was transferred to the UK from DKW as part of war reparations from Germany. My Dad's first bike was a Bantum in the late 50s.

[@richhaezaertable]

I had a 125 Bantam, nice bike, but always difficult to start and run.......

[@markpulling12]

Yes this one can be tricky to start ...there is a real knack to it

[@zigzogoid4591]

Passed my test on a D175 1971 model. (J reg.) Bomb proof engine, but boy the electrics were rubbish. Wipac switches made of cheese. Rectifier under the seat sometimes worked. Still will always have a soft spot for them though.

[@elpobrouse2277]

Interesting review you made. Mark you drove new 125 bikes, how does this compare on comfort and handling. Not really on power or brakes, just riding. I can only compare with the Jawa 90cc I had or maybe the DT 125.

[@markpulling12]

Hi it feels very character full very old fashioned but the way it rides is quite basic compared to new 125 cc bikes ..it's quite comfortable though Cheers mark

[@stevetaylor8698]

Hi Mark, thanks for this. You ought to try getting hold of a Jawa 350 to test. I suspect it is the only two stroke biggish bike available to buy now. I think you'd be surprised by how pleasant it is to ride.

[@kenhampshire9917]

Heavily based on a German DKW. The design was received as a post-war reparation, the BSA and DKW have a number of interchangeable parts.

[@PeteHowarth]

Learned to ride on a '66 D7. Ps, it was a 3 speed 175cc

[@cedhome7945]

I had loads of these in most of the different models and I learnt how to tune the tits out of them. Biggest trouble was upgrading the brakes as 80+mph was truly terrifying..... The day I sold the last shed load of them the sun shone as I moved up to A 10 power.... Happy days 👍

[@carlarthur4442]

I bought a Bantam 175cc for £55 , Went everywhere on it , 3 speed box , could've done with a 4 speed box , had to rev the arse off it .

[@domster200]

School days fun, five lads £3 each to learn on the local rugby pitch. It even climbed up next door's fence!

[@WilliamAPBodie]

I like this review. Thanks 😀

[@arthurdunga345]

my first bike was a d14 4 about 50 years ago as a lad

[@geofwassell]

with a sorted chassis, my bantam would leave black lines on the road ( from grounding the footrest rubbers). You were treating that Bantam quite gently... that 175 D14/4 engine will take sustained revving in standard trim. In tuned trim, its ok for short circuits but is in danger of nipping up with sustained caning. The D14 engine uses a larger diameter exhaust pipe which that bike doesnt have so whoever built it may have retained the old barrels from a D7 The D1 was a 125, the D3 was a 150cc and from the D7 onwards they were all 175cc

[@MJLangdon175]

I have a D14/4. Just to let you know the “I” ignition is turn clockwise. You were actually running in E, which should only be used for a short time if the battery is flat.

[@markpulling12]

Thanks for the info re i and e ....I'll look into that again cheers mark

[@JohnLongdin]

Did you try it in sport mode Mark? 😂 How many times did you brake when you went to change gear?!

[@markpulling12]

Haha 😂 yes that right hand gear change takes some getting used to Cheers mark

[@bangkokbullmoto]

My mate had a 175cc version and I had a sloper CD175 that could be coerced past 80mph but I could never match the BSA's acceleration out of the school gates (we were both seventeen), a race that eventually came to the attention of the headmaster so we had to behave - a little - after that. As a Honda fan I found that really annoying but I had to take the mate on the back of the Honda to pick up parts for the BSA several times, whilst the Honda just shrugged off my abuse and is possibly still going today, although I suspect the poor braking might have finished it off.

[@timrains5011]

Part of me loves the idea of a vintage bike but then I remember I don't want to break down or time in the garage. I don't want a modern pastish of what went before because I don't get it. Not sure what I want tbh. If it were 1968 I'd probably go with the honda cd175. Fun maybe but also a reminder that many things 50 years ago were more crap than today 😊

[@markpulling12]

Bikes like honda cd175 are very appealing because you get a classic bike with the honda ease of use :) Cheers mark

[@clangerbasher]

Remember folks he does all his own stunts.

[@davidgalt8107]

I wouldn't mind betting we'll see a new Bantam before too long.

[@shaunfleming8668]

Id still use that for commuting to work.