ABOUT THE EBOOK
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 – 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 – 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.
The BSA Bantam Bible by Peter Henshaw
ISBN: 9781845848507
Print equivalent ISBN: 9781845841591
EBOOK AVAILABLE NOW!
£14.99 – prices may vary between vendors
BULLET POINTS◾Year-by-year, change-by-change evolution details◾A complete history of the Bantam◾How it came about – postwar reparations from Germany◾Bantam cousins – Harley and Russian ‘Bantams’◾Success! – the early years◾Growing up – the 148cc and 175cc Bantams◾Tragedy – lack of development leads to decline◾What might have been – could the Bantam have survived?◾Useful contacts
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Peter Henshaw has had an enthusiasm for anything with wheels from an early age – from bicycles to 500hp tractors. He was Editor of Motorcycle Sport & Leisure for five years before going freelance, and now contributes to a wide range of transport magazines including MSL, TAG, A to B and Tractor, as well as The Telegraph. Peter has also written over 30 books, including 10 about bikes, and is an all-year-round motorcyclist who does not own a car.
EBOOK SPECIFICATION Images: 167 Layout type: Flowing Available as full colour eBook and b&w e-ink versions. Available online at these vendor stores: iBookstore – For Apple iPad, iPhone, and iPod Touch. Amazon – For Kindle, tablets, smartphones, and computers. Kobo – For Kobo, Nook, third party eReaders, tablets, smartphones, and computers (no direct access to Kobo store from Nook or third party readers). Google play books – For all Android tablets and smartphones, iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch, Kobo, Nook, third party eReaders, and computers. Barnes & Noble – For Nook, Kobo, third party eReaders, tablets, smartphones, and computers (no direct access to Nook store from Kobo or third party eReaders). Waterstones – For Kindle, Nook, Kobo, third party eReaders, tablets, smartphones, and computers. Can also be purchased in high street Waterstones branches via WiFi. Our eBooks are also distributed to 70+ smaller vendors, including Foyles, Blackwells, TxTr and Hive. All eBooks include the DRM specific to marketplace and devices used.
