Top Farm Cavalcade memories.
This one goes back a few years. I'm guessing to the mid eighties. The picture shows my brother, Andrew arriving at the annual Castleford and District British a Bike Club Cavalcade which in 1986 was held at Top Farm Nostel, near Wakefield..
Here's dad's clarification.
Andrew restored this little bike back in 1986, details: 1954 BSA D1 Bantam, 123cc. single cylinder two-stroke engine, 3-speed foot change gear lever and rear plunger suspension. I seem to remember it was good for about 48 mph, though they could be tuned for more.
Most D1 Bantams were sold in mist green livery, some (those destined for telegraph lad deliveries were painted in Post Office red), but if requested BSA would also supply them in maroon (standard colour the D3 150cc. Bantam Major) or black. Andrew chose black for his bike and it turned out to be a beauty.
Incidentally, a quirk of these little two-strokes was the ability to kick them into life whilst holding the clutch lever in, you just let the clutch out and away you went. Many years ago, circa 1954 when I was learning to ride on my Bantam I discovered another quirk; I fired it up, let the clutch out and – the bike reversed back almost throwing me over the handlebars. The engine had stopped at T.D.C. (top dead centre) and fired the engine in reverse which of course reversed the drive through the gear box. A scary but comical experience. I later learned that others had come across this rare but not impossible event.
Happy days, son. Dad.
Top Farm Cavalcade memories.
This one goes back a few years. I'm guessing to the mid eighties. The picture shows my brother, Andrew arriving at the annual Castleford and District British a Bike Club Cavalcade which in 1986 was held at Top Farm Nostel, near Wakefield..
Here's dad's clarification.
Andrew restored this little bike back in 1986, details: 1954 BSA D1 Bantam, 123cc. single cylinder two-stroke engine, 3-speed foot change gear lever and rear plunger suspension. I seem to remember it was good for about 48 mph, though they could be tuned for more.
Most D1 Bantams were sold in mist green livery, some (those destined for telegraph lad deliveries were painted in Post Office red), but if requested BSA would also supply them in maroon (standard colour the D3 150cc. Bantam Major) or black. Andrew chose black for his bike and it turned out to be a beauty.
Incidentally, a quirk of these little two-strokes was the ability to kick them into life whilst holding the clutch lever in, you just let the clutch out and away you went. Many years ago, circa 1954 when I was learning to ride on my Bantam I discovered another quirk; I fired it up, let the clutch out and – the bike reversed back almost throwing me over the handlebars. The engine had stopped at T.D.C. (top dead centre) and fired the engine in reverse which of course reversed the drive through the gear box. A scary but comical experience. I later learned that others had come across this rare but not impossible event.
Happy days, son. Dad.