• Welcome to this forum . We are a worldwide group with a common interest in Birmingham and its history. While here, please follow a few simple rules. We ask that you respect other members, thank those who have helped you and please keep your contributions on-topic with the thread.

    We do hope you enjoy your visit. BHF Admin Team

Strange Coincidence

doug1944

doug1944

master brummie
In 1980, having never been allowed a motor bike in my youth, I got interested through my pal in old British Motorbikes. A 1934 BSA 250 in bits was located and purchased. With the help of my pal the bike was restored and rebuilt into as-new condition, and I joined the VMCC. I used the bike on runs,rallies and on the Coventry to Brighton Run a few times. I then progressed to a bigger bike ( a Rudge Ulster 500 ) and the little BSA was eventually sold in 1999 to Sammy Miller for his Museum.
In 2003 whilst having to empty my father-in-laws, house I came across a photo of my father-in-law astride a 1934 BSA 250 identical to mine ! It was not the bike I restored (that would have been TOO much of a coincidence ! ) but as Stan had never ownedView attachment 65552 a motor bike in his life how strange to see him on this particular model.
One further coincidence was that we traced the last owView attachment 65551ner of my bike via the old buff log book and in 1985 rode it to Southam so he could see it. He told us it had been thrown into a celView attachment 65550lar in 1956 as worn out. He couldn`t believe that this bike of mine was his old bike.
I have attached some photo`s hope it works OK. Happy Days
View attachment 65549
 
Lovely machine Doug, how did it ride and how difficult was the restoration.

It would be interesting to learn how long it took etc. and what skills you already possessed and what you learnt by doing the restoration.

My dad bought a BSA Bantam 150cc (grey D2 I think) brand new in 1956 and sits in his shed threatening to be restored. I myself have had a number of bikes over the years (latest being Honda CBR 1100 and Honda CBR 600RR) but know one day I may get my hands on the Bantam, not sure I'll wear my one piece if I ride it, but I love seeing these old Birmingham machines on the road

Paul
 
Hi Paul,
Thanks for your note. I have had absolutely no engineering background (my dear old Dad couldn`t knock a nail into a plank without bending the nail and splitting the wood !) but I never undid a nut and bolt without doing a drawing or making a note of where things went. Now my mate Dave , who got me interested in old bikes, said that they paid old women in factories to put these things together and anything they could do we could do ! There was always a handful of bits left over when Dave did any work, but he refered to those as spares ! The restoration took about 18 months. We found parts at all sorts of shows, autojumbles etc, and replating the chrome went to a little place in Sparkbrook. Finally it was complete and passed its MOT first time.
She was a lovely little bike to ride, about 50/55 mph flat out and about 80 MPG. She had 3 speeds with the gearlever on the right hand side of the tank,which incidentaly had 2 filler caps ( one for petrol, the other for oil, as it was total loss lubrication). The brakes, like all cheap bikes of the period, were dreadful ! Still, it made you a better rider as you were always anticipating what was going on ahead ! Not too comfy as it had a Dunlop rubber saddle, but it went 3 times from Coventry to Brighton on the VMCC run.
By all means have a go at the Bantam. They are easy to work on and spares not too bad. Dave had several Bantams and we restored a 1951 D1 125. Smashing little bike. Attached is photo of me on the D1 on the Coventry Parade (`Tom tit on a round of beef` my pal used to say about me on the Bantam ! ) Happy Days .View attachment 65572
 
Hi Doug

Sounds like you had a lot of fun. I have a background in engineering (when I was an apprentice) so don't have much fear about the restoration. I was wondering whether I should respray and rechrome or whether that would take some of the originality away. I think it would look better all shiny and new but once you do it you can't go back. I'm hoping that the decals are available too so once resprayed I could reaffix the 'badges'.

I think that my dad's bantam has a filler cap which is about 6 inches long and dips into the tank, when you put the gallon of petrol in, you also fill this 'tube' fixed to the filler cap, with oil and upturn it into the tank to mix with the fuel. He reckons it did about 30mph (maybe more with a good wind) and once got 127 miles from a tank (which hold 1 gallon).
 
I had several Bantams. The last being the B.175 (BSAs last), which would do 75mph in basic tune, the worst being the original 125 solid frame (not even plunger!) which would hit 45mph down hill. There are HUNDREDS about, in all kinds of order. There are specialists who make high quality replacement parts. Decals, etc., are covered by the VMCC Transfer scheme. Things to look out for are the Wico-Pacy ignition/charging systems, never very good at the best of times, try to get one with Miller electrics. Worn Fork bushes. Bent Frames and coked up engines. These lightweights got millions of us about in the 50s, 60s & 70s but took a beating doing so.
Modern day oils are better than the old Castrol 2T, so leaner mixes can be used. 16 to 1 was common. About 2/3 of a pint of oil to a Gallon of Petrol, but this can now be down to 30 to 1 with synthetics.

Good Owners Club, lots of knowledge & spares. Any Help ?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top