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Bantam World
BSA's lightweight nameplate has
a great story
May 2026, by Guy
'Guido' Allen
Conceived in Germany and bought in staggering numbers across the world, then revived decades later via India, the BSA Bantam has a great history
We've selected three
stories that cover very different aspects of the
journey.
This gives a quick
overview, including links to the current 350 offering
from the revived BSA brand.
BSA Bantam
– the history via Real Classic in the
UK
It provides a useful
model-by-model breakdown of the development of the
Brit-made two-stroke series.
Lightweight
Performer by Classic Hub in the UK
Provides a rare insight
into the long and perhaps counter-intuitive success of
the Bantam two-strokes in trials competition.
Plus...
The bikes and the new
boss.
Year-by-year summary of the Brit-built two-stroke Bantams
1948 The Bantam D1 (123cc) released...shown above
1950 The Bantam D1 plunger suspension (option)
1954 The Bantam D3 (148cc) released
1956 The Bantam D3 swingarm suspension released
1957 The Bantam D3 discontinued
1958 The Bantam D5 (173cc) released (one year only)
1959 The Bantam D7 (173cc) released
1963 The Bantam D1 discontinued
1966 The Bantam D10 (173cc)
1968 The Bantam D14 (173cc) released
1969 The Bantam D175 (173cc) released
1971 The last Bantam manufactured
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