1969 BSA Bantam D14 Super, 175cc. Registration number PNL 8G...

Hammer

£900

1969 BSA Bantam D14 Super, 175cc. Registration number PNL 8G (non transferrable), Frame number D14 9179. Engine number GD 6883? (corroded)
The Bantam was based on the German DKW RT 125, a design that was received as war reparations, with the Bantam as a mirror image so the gear change was on the right side as with other British motorcycles of the period. Over the years the model evolved through the D1 of 1948 to the D3, D5, D7, D10, D14/4 and finally in 1969 the D175. Production ceased in 1971.
BSA introduced the D14 range in 1968, a one year only model. Production began late in 1967, and early engine prefixes were listed as D13, though this was never a model. The Supreme was now fitted with the 4-speed box, ending the Bantam's relationship with 3 speeds. The old exhaust pipe bore was found too restrictive for the new tune up, so a larger one was fitted. On the ever diminishing market for British motorcycles, BSA sought to make the Bantam yet more powerful. They increased the compression ratio to 10:1, resulting in a power increase to 13 hp. The bike would now shift along at the best part of 70 mph; the market had changed from wanting the fuel-efficient three speeds D1, to the speedy D14/4.
PNL would appear to be an older restoration that should not prove too hard to recommission. Not sold with paperwork is registered with DVLA