The Bsa Bantam Bible

Year-by-year evolution of the BSA Bantam, a simple commuter bike that thousands learnt to ride on. It became the standard GPO 'telegram bike' in the 1950s and was a huge success, with 100,000 built in the first four years of production. It's a story with interesting asides, like the Hummer, Harley-Davidson's version of the DKW that inspired the Bantam, and survived into the 1960s. But it's a sad story too – BSA failed to follow up the Bantam's early success by developing it, and by the mid-1960s it was looking outdated, especially next to the new breed of four-stroke Hondas. That the Bantam was allowed to fizzle out in 1971 symbolised the state of the industry that produced it, but today there's a thriving community of Bantam owner/riders. The book ends with a guide to buying a secondhand Bantam, along with useful appendices on specifications, engine/frame numbers, and contacts among the clubs and Bantam specialists. Every Bantam owner, or would be owner, needs this book - the Bantam Bible!

The BSA Bantam is one of the definitive postwar British bikes, perhaps THE definitive British lightweight built after World War II. It was certainly the most popular, with over 400,000 built over a 23-year production run ââ?¬â?? in the first four years, production broke all records. Yet it would die a lingering death, production fizzling out in the early 1970s as a neglected model of a manufacturer more concerned with building big, fast road-burning bikes. The Bantam might never have happened without World War II. The prewar DKW RT125 was offered to the Allies as reparations, taken up and produced in the USA, USSR, even Japan! In East Germany it was revived as the MZ, and in Britain it surfaced publicly in 1948 as the BSA Bantam, a very simple little 123cc two-stroke, with rudimentary electrics, no rear suspension and a lot of charm. The little bike became part of Britain's social history. Thousands of people learnt to ride on a Bantam, or had their first pillion experience on one, or rode one delivering telegrams for what was the GPO. Although many of those learners progressed to bigger, faster bikes, then gave up two wheels for family life, they won't have forgotten the Bantam, which explains why there's such a thriving Bantam community to this day ââ?¬â?? the club, the racing club, the spares specialists, and restorers, owners and riders all over the country. This might not be Britain's most glamorous motorcycle, its fastest or most flamboyant, but the Bantam is probably the most loved.

BSA Bantam is the most numerous and popular small classic British bike on the market. 100 photos illustrate this practical, straightforward guide to buying a secondhand BSA Bantam.

The Kawasaki Triples Bible covers the entire production of three cylinder two-strokes from 1967 to 1980, featuring a year by year breakdown of bike specs, including the KH250, 350 S2, KH400, H1 500 and H2 750 models. Illustrated with hundreds of archive photographs and period adverts, plus personal memories from some of the racers and tuners who got the best from the fearsome H1 500 and H2 750 machines of the 60s and 70s, this is an invaluable resource for any collector or restorer of these fabulous motorcycles. With information provided by Kawasaki Museum, acknowledged experts such as Rick Brett and Dave Marsden, and lifelong Kawasaki triples owners, it defines the enduring appeal of the models. It also contains excellent tips on spares, tuning, rebuilds etc., and captures the very essence of what made the Kawasaki triples the most rebellious, kick-ass two-strokes of their time.

Dramatically styled, minimalist in stature, yet bristling with innovative engineering, the 900 Monster created a new niche market. This book provides a guide through the maze of Monsters produced over the past 18 years.

Sometimes living under the shadow of the flashier, high-profile Triumph Twins, the equivalent BSAs were just as numerous and were exported all over the world. BSA was often seen as a less glamourous marque than Triumph or Norton, associated more with commuting and sidecars than coffee bar cowboys, but that doesn't detract from the collectibility of its models today, as the bikes have become highly usable, enjoyable classics. Unlike the many marque histories available, this book is a practical guide to buying one of these bikes. It covers the complete range, from the very first 1946 500cc A7 to the final 1973 650cc A65s. Chapters include what to look for (10min and 30min evaluations); spares prices; guides to auctions and paperwork; lists of useful contacts in the BSA community; and just as important, consideration of whether it’s the right bike for you. One hundred colour photos, useful appendices and expert advice mean this book could save you thousands.

The BSA and Triumph motorcycles designed for the 1971 model year, including Ariel 3 and the 750cc Triumph Hurricanel. A study of related promotional and racing events, the US organisation, and BSA’s financial position prior to 1971’s devastating trading loss announcement.