Project Stopgap Greenlaner - BSA Bantam Taper Roller Headset Conversion

Finally getting started on the Bantam D3/D10 hybrid greenlane/trials bike.
In this video I convert the steering head to accept modern Taper Roller Bearings.
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Best wishes, Dean.
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[@oldguysoldbikes]

Another fine job from Dean's Retromeccanica Shop.

[@retromechanicalengineer]

Cheers Jack

[@AGEngineering]

Good job mate, nice 'press' tooling, that worked really well. I didn't even realise seals were available for the taper roller.

[@retromechanicalengineer]

Thanks Ade. I was pleased with how well it worked. The seals came with the taper rollers. I think I'll use the BSA top cover and one of the seals at the lower end. Best wishes, Dean.

[@nigelmoth1081]

Nice work not seen this done before ...ive often wondered why these have not been made to exact sizes as a retro fit for bantams i would imagine these would be a popular upgrade .looking forward to seeing this progress ...may have a go at one myself 😊

[@retromechanicalengineer]

Thanks Nigel, it certainly would be a good upgrade kit. I think most of them out there are used when modern, lighter forks are used for trials use. Best wishes, Dean.

[@OzBSABantams]

Great work mate and thanks for the "plug" of my channel. This looks like a great upgrade and I'll chat to you soon about it as I think it would work really well on the Sellicks Beach Racers were are getting closer to build. Make sure you've written everything down to send to me!

[@retromechanicalengineer]

Hey Bones, thanks very much. I will make detailed notes! Hope you are all doing well. Best wishes, Dean.

[@Steviegtr52]

One Bantam I always wanted & never got was the 175 Bushman. Loved the high level pipe etc. A group of us used to do trail riding here & in the Isle of Man. Honda xr250 & then finaly I bought a Kawasaki KDX220. Light as a feather which suited me great. The Bantam should be ideal for green laning. Looking good so far. Steve.

[@retromechanicalengineer]

Cheers Steve. The closest I will get to a Bushman will be the forks! I think we'll have fun with it. Cheers, Dean.

[@petermckee1061]

Another excellent video, Dean. Many thanks! Cheers, Peter.

[@retromechanicalengineer]

Thanks Peter. Best wishes, Dean.

[@LarryBees]

Good job done as per usual Dean. D3 well on its way !!😄😄

[@retromechanicalengineer]

Cheers Larry

[@philhermetic]

Excellent conversion, I have built not a few Bantam green laners, or as we used to call them, pit bikes, after our favourite racetrack in a local abandoned chalk pit! keep up the good work! Phil

[@retromechanicalengineer]

Thanks Phil, I am following a well worn path that's for sure, but we'll have some fun along the way! Best wishes, Dean.

[@carlwilson1772]

Hello Phil! That wouldn't be little Switzerland near Hessle would it?

[@philhermetic]

@@carlwilson1772 No Carl, it was a chalk quarry just outside langtoft. We used to push the bike on the road, round a dangerous blind corner at the bottom of a steep hilll to get there, until several run ins with the law, ans after that we used a hand cart! More dangerous, but legal! Phil

[@philarbon7817]

Great to see that the new build has started , BTW nasty nick was on big brother 😊

[@retromechanicalengineer]

Thanks Phil, I knew he was on something!

[@montana2strokeracer]

Nice work Dean, man can't have too many tools, think it was Mr Pete that said the man that dies with the most tools...wins. Yours worked perfect. Enjoying your new camera and audio. I did notice the audio a bit low at the intro, you will get it all lined out I'm sure. Nice production my friend.

[@retromechanicalengineer]

Thanks Dale. Still experimenting with the audio, it's just trial and error as I'm no Scorsese! The tooling worked well and I was very pleased with the outcome. Best wishes, Dean.

[@carlwilson1772]

That was a brilliant video, I enjoyed every second. The making of the swage tool is spot on and the end result was superb. Its a brilliant and obvious mod that I think others will want to embody. In your film they have the example. One slight point is I felt the audio was a bit tinny but it didn't detract from the film for me.

[@retromechanicalengineer]

Thank you. I think I need to work on the microphone location, it seems to make a lot of difference. Best wishes, Dean.

[@carlwilson1772]

@@retromechanicalengineer That could be it. I think it's something to do with the acoustics in your workshop. There's just no bass in it and your voice sounds quite unnatural and fuzzy.

[@retromechanicalengineer]

@@carlwilson1772 I get that a lot ....

[@InTheShedUK]

Good conversion, those balls always seem to end up in the darkest corners of the workshop!

[@retromechanicalengineer]

Thanks Ian, yes, I can hardly feel them and they are gone! Best wishes, Dean.

[@MrFactotum]

Great job Dean🏍🏍🏍🏍👍👍👍👍 atb Kev

[@retromechanicalengineer]

Cheers Kev

[@cainbeeping8480]

Good job brother. Looks good.

[@retromechanicalengineer]

Thanks Cain, it's been a long time coming.

[@stevemccarron9469]

Fantastic conversion. Could this apply to other machines of a similar vintage?

[@retromechanicalengineer]

Hello Steve, I don't see why not. It's just a case of measuring and seeing what is available. Most bearing suppliers provide dimensions. I think it's worth doing, especially if you have fingers like mine! Best wishes, Dean.

[@stevemccarron9469]

@@retromechanicalengineer Excellent stuff Dean! Thank's