Enjoyed watching the old Bantam being brought back to life. Being a motorcyclist from the 60's, these old bike restorations take me back to the good old days. More please, the presentation is spot on.
Me too , brother , remember one of my mates was serving his time as a mechanic, about 1965 I used to go round to his place and work on doing jobs on other lads bikes , I've had numerous bikes over the years ,always remember having a Bantam went everywhere on it , even runs to Wales from Birkenhead, happy times , simple enjoyment, easy to work on unlike bikes of today , I still ride B m W k75c.
I like you comment about the mudguards. Younger bikers don’t realise that 50 years ago we worked on our bikes in the back yard or the street with minimal tools. As you also mentioned our bikes were our transportation not just for weekend leisure rides. Enjoying your skills and explanations.
If you like this video you might like our Low Budget Classic Motorcycle Project series on our RU-vid channel where we take a 1967 BSA A65 Thunderbolt rolling chassis and box of engine parts and transform it into what we call The Everyday Bike (which is basically a bike you can ride all year 'round). Here's the link to the series in a playlist ru-vid.com/group/PLLaaC3JrqSLAHvKe2Z5jSDY4Dp5EZqFOs
That sound track takes me back. Ha ha me and my mate on bantams trying to follow the international 6 days trials course. We both fell off a, few times on wet slippery surfaces. Great fun though.
My first Bantam D14 was only 6 years old in 1977, I did a swap for a fishing reel. The guy said he pushed it for more miles than he rode it and he bought it brand new. He kept taking it back to the dealer that was starting to get pissed off with him, and he was told "That's what they're like" BSA killed the industry, not the Japanese.
At the age of 12 years, my parents bought me a late 50's D7 road bike. We put the big rear sprocket on it, removed the chain guard, lights & chopped the fenders down. My friend's dad welded up a high pipe exhaust from old parts he had lying around. I rode that bike for 2 summers and had so much fun and great experiences. Could not keep up with my friend's 200 cc Bultaco Matador though.
Really enjoyable vid, i`ve been considering getting an old Bantam. One thing i`ve always done to soften pipes is to put each end into a cup of boiling water, works a treat.
What a great video - I’ve just started learning mechanics working on an old Fiat 500 and now a Raleigh Wisp moped. Next will be a Bantam or similar, and hearing Dave talk about people working to each’s ability is very good. What a good teacher 👍🏻
Nice one Irv, thanks for your nice words. You're right, it's not important where you' are, it's where you going that counts (also speed isn't important)
I find myself jumping ahead on most videos like this one but yours I never feel the need. Dave's dialogue was easy to understand and follow to. The fast motion on the carb disassembly and such was fun to watch. Now I've got to get out in the shop myself, thanks for the inspiration to get to work on my projects.
That' a good bit of feedback there OldManBaker, we did feel that there was a few more sped up shots than normal in this video, but were conscious that we didn't want to waste people's time making them sit through mundane tasks. Some like it, others don't. It's always a fine line. But thanks for taking the time to comment, they all help up build up the channel.
I enjoy this channel and now this project takes me back to 1980 to my first bike. A minted BSA Bantam, 1960 model red post office. All my mates were riding the 250cc Japanese bikes many lost their lives on those high powered learner bikes. I traveled all over Scotland in all weathers in my Bantam and have very fond memories.
Around 1972, a mate at school had one of these. I was really envious. But then, luckily, I got a Suzuki AC50 Scrambler and I was happy 😄 Great video as always. Good to watch you work and bring these lovelies back to life 👍
When I was 17 I bought a delerlict BSA Bantam D3 swing arm. My Dad and I did a budget restoration on it. Nice to see it wasnt just our Bantam being 'difficult with fuel leaks'!. 🤣 But that sound when she first fired up was just magic. I'm 55 now and still have said Bantam (albeit dismantled). Planning to restore her properly in memory of Dad. Thanks for the video.
Thanks Dave. Great to see you are a BSA man . I too have a 49 D1 Bantam. Great bike looking forward to seeing this series. Yet again a interesting and informative video. Thanks again mate
Just love your videos, so reminds me of my first bike 1952 Bantam, the smell, the slide for the choke, the lack of power! Mine had a hand gear change as the previous owner was one legged! Also had a 1952 flash and C11G so I have a bias towards old BSAs. Thanks
Thanks Dave, I currently own 2 Bantams a 1965 D7 and 1971 B175 both sat in the garage and struggling to remove leaking forks.. You've inspired me to get back to work on both. So if your willing to assist with a video of stripping and rebuilding it would be a brilliant next workshop to inspire us old men. Cheers Dave please going we all appreciate your hard work. Brian
I purchased one of these back in the early 1970's and fitted the 175 cc motor/gearbox to a modified rigid frame to make a mini replica speedway bike. I believe that they were called a Bantam Major. The dry clutch required the individual cork pieces to be inserted in each clutch disc plate. I had many enjoyable hours building and running the bike.
People are commenting before a spanner comes out of the box... Joyous and sad at the same time... Bantams were OK, of you couldn't afford a C15... Looking forward to an erudite, educational and enjoyable build.
These are the sort of FB videos that get my heart pumping especially if they are from Dave, and even more so if it's about BSAs. Thanks, when's pt.ll ?
I liked the moment at 13:50 when Dave was talking about other person's abilities. To work on a motorbike you don't need all the fanciest tools and big garages. I got a small shed to work on couple of my old bikes and most of the tools I've gathered from flea markets. It creates a nice feeling using the old equipment some other person has used before on their projects, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance always comes to my mind. It is fantastic that all the information to work on almost any old bike can be found on the internet, like these fantastic videos you are making. Thank you :)
Another great video but, please, don’t be frightened of a slightly longer video, minus the fast forward bits. I find Dave so knowledgeable and interesting. I grew up with lots of us having Bantams, not myself though. Perhaps a dash of Castro’s R in the tank, just for fun and nostalgia?
Thanks for your feedback Simon, we do take on board everyone's suggestions as we produce videos for this channel. Yes, I did feel that there was a fair bit of fast forward in this particular video actually, kind regards, Alex
Another excellent video and a great place to learn from a first rate mechanic. I look forward to the next episode in the series. Thanks Dave and Company!👍😊
Love watching this video on the Little Bezzer , i had one just like that , went everywhere on it , simplicity you could do anything with them , except go fast 😅
Cannot believe I’ve only just found your channel! This is brilliant stuff and super engaging so thank you! Looking at getting a Bantam myself after my basketcase AJS project. Can’t wait for part two!
I learnt to drive Motorcycles with an old C11 and that was an adventure,,, but the work it required was amazing. Liked your video but I did find gasket goo often solved those annoying leaks in some areas,
Really enjoyed that. Good basic mechanics, no swearing, hissyfits or things flying about that weren’t designed to fly. Presented in an informative and calm manner as always. I especially liked the mudguard comment and your ethos on other people’s work. I admit I am guilty of being critical if things aren’t right but that could be my cdo🤪. Well done Dave and everyone on this channel 👍🏻.
@@jamesweber4938 I can honestly appreciate what you’ve said and how things have/had to be done sometimes, it’s just we forget these days. Seems so long ago. I’m not one for everything being so disposable and unfixable. I’ve had my bike for 31 years now, its no longer my only form of transport and it’s not original and it’s still a work in progress, but I still love riding it whenever I can. I was thoroughly engrossed, but did notice the rear mudguard and thought, that doesn’t look right, then low and behold Dave mentioned them.
I grew up in Surrey and had a model identical to the red one shown earlier in this video. Have just come across this channel and have subscribed. Looking forward to catching up on some other classic British bikes. Cheers from Australia.
Excellent video. Really informative and it’s made me realise just how difficult it can be to get an old bike running well...plus I have no way near the amount of patience and attention to detail that this guy has :-).
My first bike in 1969. Was always a pig to start on a cold day. Stripped down the carburettor many times because tow strokes were notorious for gumming up.
In my youth i owned the BSA D1 then D3 D7 and the top super fast D14 however my D14 did not remain a D14 for long as it spat out the crank packing rivits and i was lucky only one came up the transfer port and dug into the head with little damage ...I striped her down and removes the rest of the rivits and crank packing and it became a D7....
I found it was good to pore Boiling water on the carb body after spraying UB-40 on it. Sorry WD-40, just s pun. Many years ago I had these great little Bikes and had loads of fun with them. Thanks for the Vid.
We found 1 in a a garage lock up owed by may friends grandfather took a bit of work but eventually got it going he used it for transport to and from work
If it only runs with the choke on I would suggest that it isn't fuel starvation but an air leak. Judging by the length of time it has been standing the crank seals will need replacing . The timing side one will take in air and the inner ones will leak gearbox oil into the crankcase as the main bearings are lubricated by a drilling from and to the gearbox. Hence your low gearbox oil level. Classic Bantam problems. One other thing you need a lighter oil in the gearbox otherwise the clutch will slip. 10w40 as used in Japanese bikes for engine and gearbox works well. Old fuel is a nightmare never seem to get rid of that smell! Good video 👍
I enjoyed the video. Wish I had seen it 45 years ago. I bought my Bantam after my Honda 50. It seemed a backwards step. I went back to Hondas after a year of breakdowns on my Bantam.
I have just done all that with a '69 Bushman, I find it needs a little while to warm up then it runs fine. It does have a Concentric carb though. I had to lap the 'carb cover to the 'carb on my '65 Bantam Cub before I could stop it leaking. I have fitted cleanable inline fuel filters to both of them. Where can I get some of those go-faster spannery things? Keep up the good work. Ride it don't hide it!
Really love this channel great content guys. As others have commented, I would prefer the footage to be played at normal speed and not speed up even the stuff which you may think is trivial. Watching a true professional at work is what is the most appealing aspect for me.... so longer videos are just fine, or divide into smaller parts - just keep the detail. Just my opinion and once again, great channel 👍 Matt
I had one of those when I was 11 years old it was used on a high wire act in the circus. the only thing I had to do to it while I had it was a couple of times I had to put new clutch plates on gluing cork circles on the plates with contact cement
Every one of those Monobloc float bowl plates are warped. You can heat them up and hammer them flat, turn them on a lath or do anything to make them flat again.
My B175 and the D14 at least did not use gear oil in the gearbox.....just straight SAE40 mineral oil. There is an oddity with the bantam engines...later ones anyway.....that there are drillings from the gearbox to the crank main bearings..... those are lubed with gear box oil.....not 2 stroke mixture. The con rod or big end bearing is lubed with 2 stroke mix. I love the mud guards myself.
Excellent video...I have a D14 4..they can be finicky if they are laid up.. Nice to see a non reverential service on a old British.. Bike.. They are an acquired taste.. That's a really nice little bike... Some kind of trials vibe there..? Also... I'm watching from Ireland.. RU-vid put.. 7!!!.. ads in one 23 minute video. A new record.. For me.
Hi Kieran, thanks for taking the time to comment. Hmmm; that's a lot of ads for a little Bantam video! Yep, bit of a trials vibe you're right. Dave's quite fond of the D14 actually, it's his pick of the bunch.
@@TheClassicMotorcycleChannel looking forward to the rest of this series.. It's right up my street.. I know you are a busy bunch but if you get time a similar video on Tiger Cub would be appreciated by me. and more than a few other posters here too I'd guess.
Hi Coobye, thanks for your comments. Glad you enjoyed the video. Yes, you're right, this video did have a lot of sped up bits, I concede. I am very conscious of not wasting people's time these days with the edits and including as much detail in a short amount of time (from Alex)
@@TheClassicMotorcycleChannel That's cool Alex. I think the type of people who watch your channel would prefer to see the ins and outs of everything spread over a few parts than cramming everything into 1 or 2 parts with sped up bits. I know I slowed it down when Dave put the carbie back together but it wasn't the same lol. Anyway it's just my humble opinion, I still look forward to each episode. Cheers Andrew.
Does the gearbox oil lubricate the main bearings ? I saw an earlier video which said the main bearings were outside of the crankcase seals and oiled by the gearbox which then went back down to the box.
Hiya Dave, I have just bought a 2001 Royal enfield 500 bullet with the pre unit gearbox , could you recommend what make of lubricants for the engine and gearbox please. P.S. really enjoy all your videos. Thanks in advance for any reply, Regards, Ian.
ive come to the comments to try to get help on why mine wont start, we have gotten a new carburetor for it pulled it apart and cleaned it and still wont start. when get got it all black stuff came out of the fluid lines, and we have put new fuel in it so i just want help on why mine wont start. we have only gotten it started twice since we have had it. and the dude we brought it from had it running so idk what happen to it
Hi Dave, I came across your channel a week and am really enjoying your videos. Any chance of doing a video on setting and adjusting the valve clearances on that Commando in the background.
Hi Brian, did you catch our Everyday Bike video series? We cover that in detail in part 7 here ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-sMUeka3n0e8.html
Best thing I ever did for my D7 was to throw the useless carb over the hedge and fit a Jikov carb from a CZ175, far better carb with no hassles, I ended up fitting an entire CZ 250 single into the Banty Hen, much superior engine, not any quicker than the 175 but lazy and full of torque.
A personal view...love the channel and the videos. Would much prefer to see things done in real time (as per the A65 series) whilst listening to an explanation rather than having music and high speed video. The beauty of Dave’s presentation is in his passing over of knowledge in a clear way whilst he carries out the work. How about making videos of individual skills being used, say dismantling, cleaning, polishing, including best products etc? Thanks again for a great channel.
Hey Neil, thanks for your feedback, we do take it on board when we produce the videos. Bit of a fine line actually to keep things moving forward to providing everyone with detail. Thanks again for watching the videos and your feedback :)
Also Neil, yes, we're currently working on another project now where we'll be doing a bit more general dismantling, cleaning, polishing, including best products etc as per your request. I promise there'll be less fast motion, Alex
Hello from Long Island, New York! I was wondering if the T Cut metal polish differs much from Mothers metal polish? Dave is obviously a pro and we appreciate the fact that you guys kept the leaky parts in the video showing that even the pros have problems! Also the music is great! Fantastic editing going on, very well done!
Hi Paulie, not 100% on the metal polish, but I know another one Dave uses for this job is a thing called Autosol Metal Polish, from what I understand it's very similar, but Dave prefers the one he used in the video (it's a very fine polish). Thanks for your support :)
I had one of these when I was 16 and rode it round the garden..I paid my cousin 10 shillings (50p) for it. Took it down the road And got nicked for no everything. Plus a 6 week ban for no insurance..
Nice vid on nice old bike i never owned one but I rode one in 70s when time had been a bit kinder to them lol surprising nice but my 250 Suzuki hustler was a lot nicer ride
