BSA Bantam D14/4 timing check and carb settings discussed and test ride confirms gears working again

Following on from the last video, where the clutch action and drive to the rear wheel failed just before reaching home, due to the clutch centre nut coming undone and that cause being identified and fixed. I thought it would be a good idea to check the ignition timing as well, and that is discussed here, prior to a test ride which confirmed the 4 speed gearbox is working properly again.

[@paulgibson5326]

my best friend john and my self used to share a bantam years back about 14 to 15 years old we put a big rear sprocket on it and it would climb any hill we wanted hours of fun and it never broke down brings back happy days motorcycles are still part of my life now at 68 years old the best therapy in the world

[@BritanniaMotorcycles]

Like a lot of other commenters a D14/4 was my first bike in 1968.

[@williamnethercott4364]

When I was a kid, Jim Thompson, a nice old guy who lived across the road, had a succession of Bantams. His last one was a dark red 175cc version and he gave me a lift home from school on it a couple of times. This was before the crash helmet law, when I was about 12 years old and one of the bigger lads in my class. It amazed me how it took the two of us down the dip and up the other side on the route home without struggling on the incline. It seemed to have lots of get up and go, just like the Bantam in your video. On the same route nowadays, you have to weave around to avoid being thrown in the air by the rotten traffic calming humps in the road surface.

[@davew1052]

Thank you Paul. It's been well over 50 years since I rode a Bantam. You almost make me want to ride one again. Almost.

[@hermangibbs8163]

Two Bantam rides in one day. Good deal. Thanks!

[@borderlands6606]

The switchgear on these old bikes is such an afterthought. Clearly off the shelf stuff with no thought for aesthetics. Lovely little bike all the same.

[@GeneralMe100]

I don't think you have any idea about aesthetics, classic bakelite switches were simply state of the art at the time, no iddy biddy little lights that blink and touch screens back then.

[@borderlands6606]

@@GeneralMe100 I'm talking about the handlebar furniture. Straight out of the Lucas catalogue probably, held on by cheap metal clips and not following the curvature of the bar. Typical of the era.

[@GeneralMe100]

@@borderlands6606 none of that is original, its also not Lucas, they are modern generic after market switches, Bantams used wipac switches anyway, they didn't use Lucas, the stator and rotor along with all the switches were Wipac.

[@highdownmartin]

Who remembers T and G autos of Thornton Heath Croydon London. Bantam specialists. ?

[@mickgerard6696]

Hello Paul. Much enjoyed your ride on the small but mighty Bantam. She sounds a treat! Another one ready for a summer of enjoyable riding! 🌞😎🏍

[@niallsommerville9941]

That's better, impressive spark! There are mornings when I feel I should check my own sprocket nut, almost total loss of drive. Good job, thank you.

[@jonnypaget]

Got me so in that I screen shot signs to look up on maps, made me home sick

[@bobmurphy9380]

Yes that runs as it should do, you done a great job here Paul. That would just run all day long now.

[@noeldoran8884]

Hi Paul I had a Bantam but in the day we did not look after them properly and thrashed them, still a really good little bike

[@daveharriman2756]

Great little bike, I passed my test on a new one of these in 1968, I remember it was a bit darker blue, 'electric blue' as I recall, but mayby the colour has faded on this one. it was borrowed off my mate, cos my Tiger Cub was a bit of a wreck! another good video Paul!, cheers Dave

[@DAVIDLANE-nt2gz]

Thank you paul nice to see a british bike on the road and it go well

[@paulhenshaw4514]

Thanks, David!

[@totenvt]

my first bike back in '77 was a D14/4 S with the high level leg burner exhaust, draining the casing of unburnt oil every 100 miles or so was the lasting memory

[@annunaki69]

Dag Paul, prachtig werk voor een prachtige motorfiets . Dat blauwe kleurtje walt best mee ziet men heden daags niet meer of heel zelden .🤩👍

[@CZ350tuner]

If you spray the fin of a cold cylinder with Hammerite Smooth Black, then ride the bike, it will cook onto the fins and give a glossy stove enamel finish that lasts for 3 or 4 years.

[@geraldfitzgibbon7428]

She a real flyer.

[@anthonydexter262]

In the past I've used a lolly stick to measure the little bit before top dead centre...... Great crisp spark you have.... talking of crisp that bantam sounds like henshaws classic castrol flavour 🤣🤣🍻👍

[@philliprussell5090]

Second and third gear sounds a bit rough.when you change into top the engine sound changes completely 🤔

[@MegaTubescreamer]

its pulling well and sounds sharp as a tack Paul, though two strokes don`t appeal to me really after passing the test` on a d t 250 yam a long time ago ,but a scot would be okay if i had to choose !!

[@BilgemasterBill]

She burbles along quite happily with that carb slide setting. Hell, tick that Google Directions' "Avoid Highways" option, and a fellow or gal could do some fine touring the way it should be done on that fine old gal. Another one well sorted, I'd say. Also, I'd bet there's a Lambretta fiend out there who'd pay real money for that MOD994F plate.

[@anthonydexter262]

Just thought.... have you done an asbo 2 stroke yet 👍

[@paulquinn9983]

Hi, Looks like you know what you are doing with these. I have just bought a 1964 D7 175cc Bantam which seems OK but seems to bog down at about 35mph (indicated). Is there some basic set up I can try to see if it will improve it please? Appreciate any help you can give.

[@paulhenshaw4514]

Hi Paul and thanks. It is difficult to diagnose online, but you could try advancing the ignition timing a little. Also, if there is a choke fitted, make sure it is fully open and any air filter is clean, also make sure the silencer isn't clogged with oily carbon deposits and make sure the carb settings are correct and not too rich.

[@GeneralMe100]

so if that has a 180 main jet has it got the 4 stroke B175 626?

[@paulhenshaw4514]

No idea, sorry, but it ran very well.

[@bananabrooks3836]

Do you know what brand/quailty of oil and fuel to oil ratio the owner is running the bike on?

[@paulhenshaw4514]

I mixed the fuel and oil for this one, and as usual, I used Morris's 'Ground Force' 2 stroke oil, mixed with petrol to a colour that looked right to me, rather than by an amount in percent or cc's.

[@bananabrooks3836]

@@paulhenshaw4514 Ground Force? Colour!? next you'll be telling us you how you beat Alan Titchmarsh in an Atco guess the ratio blind test taste!

[@Monkfutrucker]

4% works pretty well for me and mine.

[@bingoboyes5385]

20 to 1 if memory serves, used to use "Belray" synthetic oil, mine ran perfectly on it.

[@johnwalton6822]

I had a d14/4 new in 1969. It never did run correctly!

[@biffaozzie2373]

Third gear sounds a bit ropey!

[@paulhenshaw4514]

Maybe, but it works and sounds better than it did when the clutch was loose.