The BSA Bantam D1

The BSA Bantam was a two-stroke motorcycle that was produced by BSA from 1948 to 1971,which was made in Birmingham England.In which overr 250,000 were sold.
The design of the Bantam was a near copy of the DKW RT 125 a German made motorbike.This original Bantam, the D1's were available only in all-over "mist green", and sold for £60 plus tax. Later models changed distinctly from the original; over the years it gained improved suspension including a rear swinging arm, electrics and the engine size increased from 125 cc to 175 cc.
The engine is a unit construction (engine and gearbox of one piece) single cylinder 2 stroke. The barrel is cast iron while the head is alloy. The gearbox was initially three speeds,. The electrics run by a magneto was on a composite assembly sitting within the flywheel with its magnet inserts; windings gave power either directly to the lights (with a dry cell for when the engine was stopped) or through a rectifier into a lead acid battery. The early D1s had a flattened fish tail style exhaust.

Dave Burton
www.bargain-motors.com