Thanks for this. Happy days! I had a D7 in this paint combo and did many miles around Norwich and Norfolk on it in 1970-72 in my teens. It ate up chains and sprockets and had the classic Bantam fault where an inaccessible spring broke, so the gear pedal no longer self-centrered and had to be lifted with a toe! The alternator was pretty efficient but the little square battery it fed was short-lived, while the Wipac light switch mechanisms would rust inside and become hopelessly unpositive, the nylon switch posts being ridiculously weak, twisty things. A decoke was a simple job, basically four cyl. head nuts to unscrew, and the front forks wept a bit. It ran nicely on Avons and actually handled very well. The two drum brakes were only just adequate! It survived a few tumbles when I was intoxicated, too. The basic design was shamelessly nicked from the Germans (DKW) in 1945 then finally put to bed by Japanese competition in the seventies, so our old WW2 adversaries figured in its creation and its demise.
I loved my little Bantam. A boy's first taste of independence in 1968. 3 gears, 40 mph flat out. Sold it for a tenner after a "repair" which actually put the bike in REVERSE in 1st. Wish I had it now.
Hi, I had a bike that ran in reverse, Its the timing When it ticks over very slow the engine fire in reverse Great at the lights when set off a Bit of a surprise
Memories! Like so many others, my first powered road vehicle was a 1965 D7 Bantam 'Super', four years old when it became mine in May 1969 as soon as I'd turned 16, and purchased from Owen Bros. of Battersea for £65. When four-stroking on tickover it sounded exactly like the similar machine featured here!
This is not a i know it all or a criticism but from the sound of the exhaust when you open up the throttle she is starving a bit flat worth doing a bit of tuning they are a fantastic bike and i wish you years of fun and good fortune Sir.
Nice little toy you have there I’ve had one in a box for 20 years I’m going to start getting it painted and built up soon hope it’s as good as yours one day (BSA D7 Bantam super 175 , 119 ADG)
Wonderful ! Well done and thanks for sharing. Looks a nice restoration, a beautiful day for a ride, and starting again on the first kick is fantastic ! 😊
Lovely resto mate. Sounds like it’s running a bit rich, is it? I’ve got a 64’ D7 that I’ve started restoring today. Probably one of the best days of my life. First job - rusty tank inside. Distilled water, nuts n bolts thrown in and half hours shaking soon sorted it out. Next the dreaded wiring loom that someone has made a real pigs ear of....loads more fun.
Can you remember what the paint colour code for the silver panel on the side of the tank was? I am about to start to restore mine ('65 Silver Economy') and the side of the tank, headlight cowl and mudguards are all of a similar silver (not chrome) paint.
I know this is an old post but in case anyone is interested, the D7 Silver Bantam was painted Sapphire Blue with Chromatic Silver Mudguards, headlamp and tank sides.
You have the best motorycle in the world. Simple and beatiful! How a bike should look and sound! well done
Lovely bike, lovely countryside, gorgeous Bantam, sight and not least that unique sound!
Thanks for this. Happy days! I had a D7 in this paint combo and did many miles around Norwich and Norfolk on it in 1970-72 in my teens. It ate up chains and sprockets and had the classic Bantam fault where an inaccessible spring broke, so the gear pedal no longer self-centrered and had to be lifted with a toe! The alternator was pretty efficient but the little square battery it fed was short-lived, while the Wipac light switch mechanisms would rust inside and become hopelessly unpositive, the nylon switch posts being ridiculously weak, twisty things. A decoke was a simple job, basically four cyl. head nuts to unscrew, and the front forks wept a bit. It ran nicely on Avons and actually handled very well. The two drum brakes were only just adequate! It survived a few tumbles when I was intoxicated, too. The basic design was shamelessly nicked from the Germans (DKW) in 1945 then finally put to bed by Japanese competition in the seventies, so our old WW2 adversaries figured in its creation and its demise.
I loved my little Bantam. A boy's first taste of independence in 1968. 3 gears, 40 mph flat out. Sold it for a tenner after a "repair" which actually put the bike in REVERSE in 1st.
Wish I had it now.
Hi, I had a bike that ran in reverse, Its the timing When it ticks over very slow the engine fire in reverse Great at the lights when set off a Bit of a surprise
Memories! Like so many others, my first powered road vehicle was a 1965 D7 Bantam 'Super', four years old when it became mine in May 1969 as soon as I'd turned 16, and purchased from Owen Bros. of Battersea for £65. When four-stroking on tickover it sounded exactly like the similar machine featured here!
This is not a i know it all or a criticism but from the sound of the exhaust when you open up the throttle she is starving a bit flat worth doing a bit of tuning they are a fantastic bike and i wish you years of fun and good fortune Sir.
Great bike, great movie. Wonderful to hear the sound of a D7 Bantam after 46 years - including cluck of the gear shift.
I meant clunk...
Cracking little bike , lovely colour
Nice bike. And sounding crisp. I have a 65' D7 and know the feeling of being out for a spin on a warm day. Good restoration. Good luck and thanks.
Nice little toy you have there I’ve had one in a box for 20 years I’m going to start getting it painted and built up soon hope it’s as good as yours one day (BSA D7 Bantam super 175 , 119 ADG)
Wonderful ! Well done and thanks for sharing. Looks a nice restoration, a beautiful day for a ride, and starting again on the first kick is fantastic ! 😊
How satisfying that must be. I’m looking for a bantam, and seeing this is just going to intensify my search 👍🏼
Beautiful ride meate!
Lovely, thanks😊
Just like mine. Although yours is in much better cosmetic condition. Very nice video. Dean in Oxfordshire.
I’m 12 and me and my dad bought a old one that needs restoring about a year ago for 150 pounds we are getting a mot at christmas
Pleased you all seem to like my little Bantam. Sadly I haven’t had much opportunity to ride it this year but hopefully next year will be better.
Lovely resto mate. Sounds like it’s running a bit rich, is it?
I’ve got a 64’ D7 that I’ve started restoring today. Probably one of the best days of my life. First job - rusty tank inside. Distilled water, nuts n bolts thrown in and half hours shaking soon sorted it out. Next the dreaded wiring loom that someone has made a real pigs ear of....loads more fun.
Sounds real sweet.
mint, bet its enjoyable spinning about on that bike on a nice day like that.
niikce bike v
Can you remember what the paint colour code for the silver panel on the side of the tank was? I am about to start to restore mine ('65 Silver Economy') and the side of the tank, headlight cowl and mudguards are all of a similar silver (not chrome) paint.
I know this is an old post but in case anyone is interested, the D7 Silver Bantam was painted Sapphire Blue with Chromatic Silver Mudguards, headlamp and tank sides.
just purchased a Bantam and am just up the road from Sleaford - do you still own it?