Newbie :) What do I look for when buying a BSA Batam D14?

[Robbied196]

Hello Guys n Gals

This is my first post and I'm after some advice please.

I've had a look over the forum and hopefully this post has arrived in the best place!

My background, although not for a few years has been classic cars. Now I've decided to look for my first bike project. The guide is: 1960's, British and cheap

Tonight I'm going to see a BSA Batam D14. My knowledge is fairly little at the moment, 175cc, 4 speed, spark plug towards the back of the cylinder which seems to indicate 68/69. As far as I know everything is there and I'm told it will start.

What are the main points I should be looking for?

[hazza]

Not sure on specific problems with bantams (although my dad has a d14) But i would check over the normal things.

Does it start easily from hot and cold?
Quick visual inspection of tyres, chain, sprocket
Slight oil leaks are character, major leaks can be a ball ache
check condition of suspension
electrics (although minimal) can be a pain if bodged over the last 40/50 years
does it select gear easily (on the wrong side!)
Any nasty noises from the engine?
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3 Honda NC50's(Sold)-->'72 Puch Maxi S (Sold, want it back!)--> '90 Yamaha RXS 100 (Stolen)--> '87 Honda Cub 90(Sold) --> '95 Kawasaki Eliminator (Sold) --> '98 Bandit 600 (Sold) -->'07 SV650S (Current)

[Robbied196]

[hazza]

Yes wheels can be very expensive so ensure they are structurally sound and/or in a condition you can live with. Think my dad paid £400 for a new set to built up for him.
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3 Honda NC50's(Sold)-->'72 Puch Maxi S (Sold, want it back!)--> '90 Yamaha RXS 100 (Stolen)--> '87 Honda Cub 90(Sold) --> '95 Kawasaki Eliminator (Sold) --> '98 Bandit 600 (Sold) -->'07 SV650S (Current)

[stinkwheel]

Just be aware that Bantams alway were, and still are, shit. People only bought them because they were cheap and the only thing available.

If you use that as a starting point, you won't go far wrong.

One thing they do have in their favour is that they are cheap.

Spare parts will be overpriced and can be of shockingly poor quality because they are made to look good on trailer queens, not to be functional.

Can I suggest a different bike for your first project?

They've been making Royal Enfield bullets since the 1950's and you can still buy every single working part for them (and off the shelf upgrades like electronic ignitions and suchlike), new and of functional quality because they are still in production in India. Have a look on hitchcocks motorcycles website.

If you got an old Bullet, even a total wrecker, you could be confident of landing up with a working motorcycle at the end of the day.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[Robbied196]

[hazza]

someone correct me if im wrong, but im sure one of the old barnetts were based on the bantam.
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3 Honda NC50's(Sold)-->'72 Puch Maxi S (Sold, want it back!)--> '90 Yamaha RXS 100 (Stolen)--> '87 Honda Cub 90(Sold) --> '95 Kawasaki Eliminator (Sold) --> '98 Bandit 600 (Sold) -->'07 SV650S (Current)

[jjdugen]

Thumbs up to the general crapiness of the Bantam, except, by the end of the line (the 175cc 4 speeds) you can actually have a very usable motorcycle. Parts are still readily available and not to eyewatering. Remember too, there is a healthy and thriving Bantam racing club and those guys have addressed all of the (many) 'problems' you might face.
It will never be as good as a comparable Honda, but, as a utilitarian machine it did have some saving graces, simpleness being one of them.
Farncis Barnetts used Villiers engines, and then the dreadfull AMC lump that sent them into bankrupcy. The Bantam uses an engine design pinched from DKW as part of war reparations, very advanced for the day.
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The CBR900RR has been sold. Aprilia Falco worms its way into my heart.
Try Soi 23 on Amazon for a good read.... Self promotion? Moi?

[sebastianw]

D14 Bantams

1. The cam that activates the points is on the end of the crank shaft and the shaft runs through a phosphor bronze bearing pressed into an aluminium plate. The bearing can wear and the shaft (and cam) the wobbles, which can bugger the ignition and stop the bike running.

2. The gearbox - selector forks will wear esp on the 3 speed version and will start to jump out of second and first gear.

Otherwise skim th ehead to increase compression, shim th ecrank case to increase crankcase compression on th einlet stroke, fit a Wal Phillips fuel injector, achieve better than 50 mph......maybe

[garyd]

The main critiria to look for when buying ANY brit shit is a JAP bike!!!
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CRF230 all you need

[Robbied196]

[stinkwheel]

[Lone-Wolf]

[stinkwheel]

[Lone-Wolf]

[stinkwheel]

Mine has been pretty good after the new head (dropped the exhaust valve seat).

Big carb next. I've got to keep up my annual drag racing improvement. The "tuned" head took me from 22.65s@58mph to 19.68s@64mph down the 1/4 mile.

It still drinks a shitload of oil though. It'll hoover a tank of oil for every tank of fuel and I never see it coming out. No wet sumping either. I'll just keep putting the stuff in I suppose.
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[Lone-Wolf]

[stinkwheel]

[sebastianw]

[quote Lone-Wolf

Wotcha.

Hmm - quite plain to see you've never owned a D14

The ignition cam does not run through a bronze bush - it is on the end of the crankshaft and is supported by a ball bearing.

There is no such thing as a three speed D14.

[/quote]

Well it was my first bike in 1968/9, 175cc, it had three speeds and a Phosphor Bronze bearing. If i recall correctly it had a registration number 863 OYA although I can't find it anywhere.

I carried out the mods I described to increase performance but nothing suggested enough stress to throw the con-rod.

I forgot to mention (not that I did it) that some people added a second sparkplug to the head.

Edit Looks like it was a D7 plus date added

[Lone-Wolf]