Introduction and model question please

[Ian T]

Hi everyone

I hope it is OK to do my introduction on here as I could not find an intro section.

By way of background I was just doing a search for a classic with the lightest clutch as a very recent post on here popped up. I am not new to bikes had many over the past 50 or so years and lots of fun riding, touring, restoring and ruining a few during that time. I managed to nearly chop my left thumb off a couple of years ago, that's all been sewn on again and works to a fashion not the best of grips anymore, but I now have very painful arthritis in my left thumb joint and wrist, it is this that is causing the pain.

Reading the post and then lots of others has re kindled a desire for another Bantam, I can't even remember the model I have but I know I was only 16, I owned an A65 Lightening (1973) for about 15 years during the eighties and nineties, wonderful bike it was too.

I have just sold my last couple of bikes because it just hurt to much to use the clutch, a BMW K75S and a Californian 1000 nice but brutal with a bad hand. I did buy a Royal Enfield Classic 350 about 10 months ago, what a wonderful bike it is an absolute dream but alas even that got too painful to ride. I considered the Honda NC750 DCT but I don't really want a big bike anymore. I really hanker after a Bantam again as living in Lincolnshire now the roads are nearly all small and windy.

Sorry about the long introduction and onto my question, if I may.

Which model is best for spares availability please, and which model would in your opinion have or be fettled to have the lightest clutch.

I presume it would be the D14 and 175, but I may be wrong, usually am.

If I can get it down to very light it would be fantastic I hope for a few more years.

I'm off to Newark next weekend to have a mooch around and a chat, will bring back memories of about 30 years cruising Kempton Park Autojumbles with me mate for bits.

Again sorry for the long first post, but I would dearly love a Brit again.

I am OK with the mechanics and restoration side of things, been at it for years.

After all I am an ex Marine with 3 hammers, what could possibly go wrong.

Cheers

Ian

[Stubaker58]

Hi Ian,

I've had Bantams for a number of years now. The clutches are all pretty much the same, later models have an extra plate but still six springs.

How heavy the clutch is varies a lot and depends on such things as cable routing & lubrication rather than model. Also the springs used as some folk have used heavy duty springs to avoid slip, mine run standard springs and I've never had a problem even on really steep hills.

I'd advise going for a four speed model D10A (not just D10, that's three speed) D14 or B175. The B175 is the last of the line and was extensively re engineered, they saved the best til last!

Happy hunting.

[Y13 Alan G]

At 80 years of age I found the clutch on my D14 Bantam too hard to operate for long periods. Hence I have fitted an "Easy Clutch" details of which can be found on the FORUM under "Heavy clutch". Not too difficult if you have the right tools. Best of luck.
I'm also a "Heathen" and have a 1980 Honda CD200 which has a very light clutch. The "Easy Clutch" system is straight forward to fit to most Japanese bikes.

[Ian T]

Hi Ian,

I've had Bantams for a number of years now. The clutches are all pretty much the same, later models have an extra plate but still six springs.

How heavy the clutch is varies a lot and depends on such things as cable routing & lubrication rather than model. Also the springs used as some folk have used heavy duty springs to avoid slip, mine run standard springs and I've never had a problem even on really steep hills.

I'd advise going for a four speed model D10A (not just D10, that's three speed) D14 or B175. The B175 is the last of the line and was extensively re engineered, they saved the best til last!

Happy hunting.

That's great news and thank you very much. It's always good to have exact model numbers to work with.

I presume the B175 is also the hardest to find and most expensive.

Also it is good to know that all the clutches are much a muchness, that way it opens it all up for me.

Thanks again

Cheers

Ian

[Ian T]

At 80 years of age I found the clutch on my D14 Bantam too hard to operate for long periods. Hence I have fitted an "Easy Clutch" details of which can be found on the FORUM under "Heavy clutch". Not too difficult if you have the right tools. Best of luck.
I'm also a "Heathen" and have a 1980 Honda CD200 which has a very light clutch. The "Easy Clutch" system is straight forward to fit to most Japanese bikes.

Thanks really appreciate your reply.

I have read your posts on the clutch and it's very interesting. Seeing as you had your engine set up correctly, did you find the Easy Clutch made a difference once you fitted it.

I actually have an Easy Clutch, I brought it a couple of years ago to try and make my Ural 750 outfit any easier to use. Never got round to fitting it though, so I do have one somewhere in the bowels of the garage.

I think I am also a bit radical, last week I was looking at Honda C90's because of the semi automatic box set up. Refused to pay the stupid money everyone seems to want for a heap of poop, so I brought a Honda Dax unseen from a main dealer. It was delivered Christmas Eve. Not been on it yet and still wonder about my sanity, still it looks cool (I think).

Hence now the return to real biking and a BSA.

Cheers

Ian

[Y13 Alan G]

Yes, fitting the Easy clutch to my D14 Bantam has made a world of difference. Of course my Bantam may have been fitted with heavy duty clutch springs and the clutch was ok until a year ago. Tempus Fugit and I am not a physically strong as I was even a year ago. Spares for most Bantams are readily available and I have had no problems in getting bits for my D14, best from Bournemouth Bantams as there are a lot of cheap/rubbish replica parts on Ebay etc.

[Ian T]

Thanks that's good to know, plus a result as I have one.

I've just been googling spares and that Bournemouth shop came up. I used to live in Poole  and I remember Armours were the dogs for silencers etc, they were also in Bournemouth.

I've always tried to focus on proper suppliers, or I suppose nowadays those with a good selling reputation, try to avoid eBay etc for copy bits, ok for used I've found though.

Think it's about time I started to look for one.

Cheers

Ian