Queen Elizabeth II and Birmingham Small Arms

Queen Elizabeth II with her son, Prince William.

 

The BSA Bantam, one of the Birmingham Small Arms Company’s most successful machines ever manufactured. Based on a prewar German DKW, this simple lightweight two-stroke was a roaring worldwide success for BSA. 1948 is the year it all started with the Rigid Frame Bantam D1. Featuring a 58mm stroke with 53mm bore, it produced a 123cc modest engine and 3-speed gearbox. For the novice motorcyclist, this distinctive and small capacity machine was the perfect first choice.

By the end of 1948, the U.K.’s General Post Office (GPO) started purchasing thousands of Bantams and using them as cost effective and economical transport for their telegram delivery service.

You would often see these little red roosters on streets and pavements all over the country. They were finished in the famous Post Office Red. Featuring King George VI royal crest on the tank, GPO transfers on the Legshields, BSA Garter Rifles on the toolbox, Pilled arms on Rear No. Plate Bracket, Tyre pressure transfers on the mudguards and some fitted with a first aid box.

Later versions had Queen Elizabeth II’s crest on the tank instead and a revised Garter Rifles as BSA changed their company name from B.S.A. Cycles to B.S.A. Motor Cycles Ltd in late 1953.

Funky looking Queen Elizabeth II with her BSA Bantam

By the 1950s the model began to evolve, now offering a plunger frame, and larger capacity models. It wasn’t too long before riders were looking for more power and so their focus turned to increasing their engines capacity and this first came with the 148cc Bantam D3. Available in two road options and competition models offering either rigid or plunger frame with heavier front forks on all D3 versions.

By late 1957, it was back to the drawing board for the design team in the never ending race to increase engine capacity. A failed attempt at increasing a longer stroke which resulted in stronger torque but terrible vibration lead to the solution, a plan to increase the bore size and a re-design of the bottom end. The result was the D5 (Major) with an engine displacement of 174cc and top speed nearly of 60mph.

BSA Bantam Super

The D7 shortly replaces the D5 in 1959. This Bantam Super was seen as more of an improvement rather than another bore-job and this model endured until 1966. Replacing the D7 in 1966 was the short lived D10, with noticeable changes to the engine and improved electrics and later versions of the D10 Sports and Bushman highlighting a 4-speed box taking up the same space as its predecessor.

Out with the 3-speed gear box and in with the 4-speed Bantam D14/4 series from 1968. A larger exhaust, respectable price and the fastest of all Bantams of as yet, meant it sold well although falling behind competition probably due to the lack of investment.

Early 1970’s saw the rise of the Japanese models and sadly the demise of B.S.A. Revised improvements to the engine were welcome but it was too little too late for the nimble bantam. The faster, more reliable rivals at Honda and Suzuki had crushed the competition and ultimately crushed B.S.A. by the end of the decade.