BSA Bantam D1

Years ago "when I were a lad" BSA Bantams were common as muck. I remember buying one as a Greatstone-on-Sea teenager in 1964 for a fiver, repainting it grey and silver (pea soup green seemed so dull) and selling it for a tenner to a Dungeness power station worker who used it as a daily commuter from New Romney. Bought another couple or three since then for fun, or maybe as a throwback to a time when motorbikes were simple to work on. Being curious, I've just checked a couple of websites to see what prices they're going for, or rather what sellers are asking, and am gobsmacked to see one advertised for £3500. Crikey! Interesting to note that while the Bantam was launched in 1948 as a true British motorcycle its design was blatantly nicked from the German DKW RT125 which, I presume, fell into British hands after the war.

Dec 29 2020 - There's a renovated 1953 D1 (see below) currently on eBay. The bidding's up to £2550 with five days to go. Could go for a big price. (Went for £2750.)

19 Sept 2021 - 1970 GPO Bantam 175cc on eBay, asking price £4295. Crikey.