I have spent a few days working on my mate Keith's Bantam which he bought in 1975 and never ran. It's in my workshop so I have been able to sort out quite a lot of jobs whilst Keith earns himself a living
I cleaned the carb and, this afternoon, Keith brought around the cleaned out tank and some fuel and we started up the Bantam for the first time in over 40 years
We don't understand how to use the rotating air/choke thingy on the air filter or carb settings but it's enough to encourage us to carry on!
We got a long list of parts to sort out before a road trial including, properly fitting engine/frame bolts (4 of), clutch cable, 6v battery, horn button, light switch (just the black Bakelite-type bit on top the headlight), and a seat bracket needs welding but I am sure we will get there. We want used horn button and switch as any shiny shiny new parts will look out of place on this "barn find"
Keith needs to properly register it with DVLA and sort out insurance as well but all good!!
wow does that bring back some memories of the past, Harely rangers BSA bantams Mustang bikes Greeves, pioneer light weight dirt bkes...........we thought. Some bad carbs, weak spark, bad tuning and broken kick starters, they came into the bike shop I worked at and being youngest wrench, I got to work on some bottom feeder tough projects.