lowering a new Bantam

[DAVE BRADY]

Hi,

The Bantam seat height may make riding one a bit challenging for those of use who find the ground a bit bit far away when sitting on a bike.
Has anyone lowered a Bantam by changing the rear shock and dropping the fork yokes down the legs?
With seat height of 31" it will be fine for average and above height riders but a stretch for those a who are less tall.
I believe that Hagon are already doing a shorter shock for the Bantam.

Dave.

[Novocastrian]

Have you bought one, Dave?

Has anyone lowered a Bantam by changing the rear shock and dropping the fork yokes down the legs?

[DAVE BRADY]

Hi,

Almost. The idea is for Chris to ride it if we can get it a bit lower.  After the week end we will have a better idea of how much it needs to be lowered.  A slightly shorter rear shock and the front similarly dropped is what I am thinking.  Electric start also means not having to take the weight of the bike for kick starting.

Dave.

[DAVE BRADY]

Hi,

Checked one out today and it would need to lowered by about 4".  BSA missed trick here as there will be many riders who cannot realistically ride this bike.  Perhaps a different subframe could be produced to help with this?

Dave.

[limeyrob]

4" is a lot, I had been thinking along the lines of a thinner seat but that would gain 1" max. In the 70's I did ride my A65 in 3" platforms but thank goodness that are no photos     

[Coddy]

Finding a bike at 700mm seat height may well be an issue
Have a read of this as it might give you some more ideas https://www.bennetts.co.uk/bikesocial/news-and-views/features/bikes/best-low-seat-motorcycles-for-short-riders

[DAVE BRADY]

Hi,

Thanks. A useful article but we really want to stick with BSA.  We have reduced the weight and seat height on my wife's A10 quite a bit but an electric start be a bonus hence my other post re elctric start for '51 Flash.

Dave.

[Coddy]

I recently saw someone has replaced their rear shocks with NJB Ultimate shocks
These maybe the answer for you as you can adjust the height and preload separately
https://njbshocks.co.uk/

[DAVE BRADY]

Hi,

The rear is probably the easiest but to keep every thing even the front needs to come down by the same amount and I suspect that, even with the handle bars raised, the amount of suspension travel will be reduced to much and the mud guard may even foul the radiator.  Ground clearance will also be greatly reduced.

Dave.

[limeyrob]

I think you have to be careful about lowering the suspension too much as it will change the geometry and handling.
Rigid and plunger bikes with no seat rail have more potential since there's a gap under the saddle.

[DAVE BRADY]

Hi,

Yes. See previously posted photos. The objective is to have a BSA with electric start that has a very low seat height.
In another thread I am exploring the potential to fit an electric start to the bike in the photos.

Dave.

[limeyrob]

I think you are between a rock and a hard place on this.  The Plunger 'Flash can be modified to lower the seat but its a shorter more compact engine / box so there's less space for a starter than the SA set up but that has a seat rail.
There's always the Sportster Hugger (1988 - 2003)- 27" (690mm) seat hight and electric start, and not very popular so prices are modest.
I had a standard Sportster for about 10 years, I never really liked it and much prefer the BSAs but its hard to argue with the specs, you can pick them up for under £4k and probably sell it on for the same if you don't like it.

[Coddy]

Have you seen this, it's a bit old however may be of some help?
https://www.britbike.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/264070/re-electric-start-bsa

[DAVE BRADY]

Hi,

Thanks for the link. Unfortunately this kit does not fit the earlier plunger frame A10s.  It is very good and Steve has made and sold many of them.
It does not really lend itself to modification for the plunger frame.

Dave.