BSA Bantam D14/4 175 short test ride ends with loss of drive to rear wheel, fix found and discussed.

[@BilgemasterBill]

To her lasting credit, she DID carry you VERY NEARLY home. Hell, I've pushed bikes further looking for a better parking spot. So, she's clearly got a heart of gold. And for a Bantam she was uncharacteristically "perky" for most of that ride too, taking those hills in good stride, huh? It saddens me a little that a couple of generations have already now passed without those youngsters ever knowing or perhaps even hearing the fussy ticky-tacky throb of a game low-stress 2-stroke. I just adore my ancient Zündapp Bella scooter's chillaxed yet Teutonic "Tün!...Tün!...Tün!...Tä-Tün!". Only 198cc, yet she hauled my ass over the Alps four times to and from Italian vacations back when they still had that "Wall" in Berlin.

[@robertcovell2787]

Well that was simple. Little 2 stroke purrs along very sweet. You gotta love a little 2 stroke for a nostalgic country lane cruise.

[@stevenjohns1322]

This make and model of motorcycle was the first bike that I ever owned, this video brought back so many memories, I passed my motorcycle license on one of these took my girlfriend and soon to become my wife on it all at the young age of 18( I’m now 69 ) . The D 14/4 Bantam a clutch and throttle cable every 100 miles but I loved it 😂thanks for the video and the walk down memory lane 👍

[@GilbertdeClare0704]

Me too ! First Motorbike for the princely sum of £80 in 1970, passed my Motorcycle test on it in 1978, went EVERYWHERE on it, She NEVER let me down more than 1/2 mile from home, and never for anything major. Was nearly always water getting on the points lead, or Spark plug screw head coming off in HT lead cap. All soon fixed. She NEVER threw me, not ONCE ! Rain, snow, ice, would handle beautifully and any slides on ice and she seemed always to just right herself and bring me home safely. LOVED that little Banny

[@stevenjohns1322]

@@GilbertdeClare0704 good memories right 😊

[@GilbertdeClare0704]

@@stevenjohns1322 Definitely ! LOVED that old bike. Hahaha I once managed to get 80mph out of her down a slight incline....GOD did she rattle and shake😂😂😂 Had stripped her right down and rebuilt her EVERY single nut and bolt, 3-4 times, and she PURRED ! Started 2nd or 3rd kick every time.....hahahahah even carried our dog on it once😂😂

[@stevenjohns1322]

@@GilbertdeClare0704 😂I once stripped the engine down and rebuilt it found I had a few nuts and bolts left over she still ran as sweet as a nut, Ahhh the good old days, I just had a look on google to see how much a D14/4 costs now and I wish I had bought 50 when I could have back then and just put them in storage 😂

[@davecooper3238]

I had a 175 Bantam around 1960/61. Passed my test on it. As usual it did not want to start when hot. Bump started it but still passed. I slid off regularly. It reached the stage were I thought. ‘Here we go again’. Because of whispering I carried a spare spark plug. Looking back most of us spent time sliding down road. These days I aim to keep the shiny side up.

[@hermangibbs8163]

Never been on a 4 speed Bantam. For me BSA had the nicest looking machines, All will be well soon. Thanks!

[@drmoss_ca]

Even on the long straight between Llanwnnen and Lampeter I could never get my 1963 Bantam beyond 50mph. Wish I still had her!

[@davidrenn6897]

Had a B175 and loved buzzing around on it! So easy to work on!

[@gordonsuddery4635]

Happy days with good memories nice video ! I now know what to look at on my son's D1 when i visit next year. My best wishes to you from the Philippines ❤️💪👍😉😀😁🏁🏍️🛺🐑🇵🇭🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@adrianward362]

Loved my 14 4. Walked it home a few times too. Ah the memories!

[@carlarthur4442]

Me too brother me too . ✋️

[@stephenstead6333]

You never forget the sound of a D14 Banton mate look after them thay go for ever oil and petrol they never got wrong. When we was kids we made them into field trails bike go up any hill

[@adrianward362]

@@stephenstead6333 chain breaking and dodgy earth often caused my breakdowns mate. Wish I still had her though!

[@scienceistruth1924]

@@carlarthur4442 Me too!!

[@Terence-e5k]

Yeah,well u shudnt have to walk shud ya.ya on a bsa

[@frankmarkovcijr5459]

If I had a mechanic of your ability knowledge and conscientiousness so many more of my British bikes should be on the road.

[@niallsommerville9941]

Seemed to be getting along nicely, sprocket nut aside. I've read about but never tried, that run in method, nice to hear it works from a trusted source. Thank you.

[@shug831]

Quite a spirited little engine, well suited to the country lanes. At least it was an easy fix. 🤞

[@Jean-de-lune]

I always found my Bantam 175ccc 3-gear bike was spirited and could move along at a reasonable lick. This D14-4 did well apart from its tail-end of journey failure. I hope the fix is good and it can take another test ride sucessfully. Mine didn't have any terminal drive failures but did have kangaroo 2nd gear which you could cope with eventually. Due to my lack of knowledge of gearboxes it just stayed like that until I sold it!

[@bobmannix5430]

Late to party but brilliant! D14/4 was my first in about 1974. Passed my test on it too. Didn't think I could relive those days...but that did it 😁. (Also Llanwrda a familiar sight!)

[@paulhenshaw4514]

Great stuff, thanks!

[@markalton2809]

I had a D14-4, (still have it) i useD to love racing my mate on his C15 from Codnor marketplace to Matlock Bath and back. I could slipstream him and keep up, pass him on the twisty bits, but couldn't quite stay in front on the straights. Happy Days!

[@philmuskett265]

A really nice looking little bike and all sorted. Just can't stop the feeling that there's something just a wee bit comical about Bantams. Don't know what it is but can't shake it!!

[@richardrichard5409]

Since toying with old twinshock trials bike I've found various Loctite grades to be invaluable😎

[@mariodemarco9749]

Well done Paul, nice one. I thought it sounded loud in third gear, hopefully that will be sorted too. I think someone's had a file on the ports on that barrel too, it's very revvy for a Bantam, almost a powerband! Hell of a different on that hill compared to the 3 speed . I enjoyed that!

[@bananabrooks3836]

I think this was the 13hp version, with 10:1 compression ratio.

[@paulhenshaw4514]

There was a 13 bhp D13 model, made only for a week or so and very rare. It was decided the '13' might be considered unlucky and put some buyer off, so the power was increased very slightly and it was renamed 'D14'. There is footage of a D13 among my shorter, earlier clips, as seen here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/faanmZWYhsugba8

[@bananabrooks3836]

@@paulhenshaw4514 Does the engine no. start with D13?

[@paulhenshaw4514]

I am pretty sure it did, it is a few years ago when it was here, mind.

[@bananabrooks3836]

@@paulhenshaw4514 l meant the one youre currently spannering on, that the clutch nut came loose on.

[@noeldoran8884]

Hi Paul my D14 never sounded that perky, it will be good in the end...

[@John900C]

You can tell it's Wales when chasing a family of sheep down the lane is hardly noticed.

[@ifitsfreeitsforme1852]

It doodles along pretty well. You're probably doing 45/50 mph ?

[@glennmaxfield6618]

My very first bike was one of those and it never ever got me home. Sold it after three months and bought a Tiger cub. Much more reliable.

[@redtobertshateshandles]

The Sound of (German) Music. English style. Awesome.

[@amelierenoncule]

Legend has it,that those fenders (mud guards ?) Csn be used to parry broadsword sweeps...if you but only have them tie-wraped on, for quick removal, what ?

[@carlarthur4442]

Had one of those in the 60s great little bike , but you need to lose any ego at home , wouldn't look cool at a Hells Angels club 😀 😉

[@amelierenoncule]

The quick-shift to 3 rd., Is a bit dodgy ?

[@shingerz]

Cracking video lucky bugger at those junctions lol 😆

[@nickaxe771]

Sounds real sweet....3rd sounds a bit noisy. Nice easy fix....well done. Can I ask....are you the same Paul Henshaw who wrote the book....I have a copy somewhere.

[@paulhenshaw4514]

Hi and thanks. No Peter Henshaw [no relation as far as I know] writes the books, although I have a stalled book project of my own I must get on with.

[@frankmarkovcijr5459]

Do you still have two stroke premixed gas pumps anymore I remember they used to.

[@paulhenshaw4514]

Only in antique / junk shops and the like now. I last saw them in use around here in the 1980's.

[@dennisyoung4631]

Question: what sort/brand/? of oil do you use in this one? Note: I used to use Torco t2 injector oil in the Kawasaki, and currently have Maxima K2 for premix in the Zenoah (for a portable dc generator.)

[@patthewoodboy]

I love that part of Wales

[@grateberk6435]

Like the go faster stripe

[@stephenstead6333]

Thay were a nippiy little bike for its day great for the county lanes

[@stephenstead6333]

I can tell that dound a mile away best bike that never let you down i.ve had ac175cc D14 four speed box one down three up thay not as slow as people say thay are. Thay go for ever

[@sindento1942]

I had one of these, my mate had a 200 yamaha, twin cylinders, twin carbs, twin silencers, rev counter, electric start, indicators etc, and looks, none of which the bantam had, plus it was cheaper and left me for dead.

[@paulhenshaw4514]

Those 200 Electrics were very fast, but not so many left now. Bantams on the other hand ...

[@stephenstead6333]

It clutch nut come loose i.ve had it happen to me. Mate the lock nut come loose matev

[@TomBartram-b1c]

Doesn't slow down when araf is written on the road. Rebel!

[@gerrypowell2748]

My first bike H reg.put me off two/strokes for life only bought it as I missed out in being a telegram boy😉

[@paulhenshaw4514]

Sorry to hear that

[@milesrogers8314]

BSA! Bastard Stopped Again! 😜😜😜😁😁

[@paulhenshaw4514]

Ouch!

[@mariodemarco9749]

Bloody Sore Arse I thought it stood for!

[@Terence-e5k]

sounds crap'

[@paulhenshaw4514]

Pardon?

[@timothybetteridge2268]

These bikes were a heap of crap

[@paulhenshaw4514]

Don't hold back!