THINKING OF BUYING?

Bantams are one of those bikes that can be very much the same yet very different, so choosing the right one for you can be a challenge. Join the Bantam Owners Club or the Facebook group. There’s no shortage of friendly folk waiting to impart their wisdom and knowledge.

D1: A charming and simple machine. Only three gears and low on power for today’s roads in my opinion. Pricey too, because of their irresistible charm. The 1951 example seen here might still be for sale at andybuysbikes.com; recently refurbished and up for £2850

D3: 150cc but otherwise much like a D1. Later models came with a swinging arm

– a precursor to the D5. This 1956 Bantam Major has been fitted with electronic

ignition and ‘needs tidying’ for £1650 at British Motorcycle Parts

D5: Made for one year only (1958) and rare as a result. 175cc and a great mix of D1-esque quirk and enough power for normal use. Relatively rare though, due to the short production time and with prices to match

D7: The longest production model from 1959 to 1967ish. Some variations through that time including lighting and ignition options

D10: Early D10s were still three-speed but with points ignition and an alternator. Also, a concentric carb. This was the first model with the (in)famous ‘jelly mould’ tank. The shiny one seen here is a 1966 machine, optimistically listed for almost £4k in a Yorkshire showroom

D13: In every way the same as a D14 but the sales folks at BSA felt it would deter the superstitious (true I’m assured) so fewer than a thousand were made

D14: Same as a D13 with four-speed gearbox, large bore exhaust, remote air filter and a four-plate clutch (to cope with all the power!). This D14/4 dates from 1968 and rapidly found a new owner this autumn for c£2000

B175: The last of the line. Lots of minor alterations for the keen rivet counter but heavy forks and central plug head are the main difference from the D14.