New member from Brittany France

Hi one and all , don't know if I'm being a little draft but I fancy taking up Bantam racing, may be the two file's in the ointment are, 1 my age, I'm 69 and 2 although I have been riding bikes for many years, I have never raced one, I ride my trials bike all year round for fun and I have an old CB500 for a hack.

I have Built and raced car for years ,and still hold a MSA race license ,so have a good insight in racing.

So the the big question is should keep going with this draft idea or for get it and take up gardening


What do you think

Right Frenchmike !
A big thing I found in being a member -- and later chairman (for too short a while) -- of the original Bantam Racing Club was that they were a wonderful fraternity and if you raced your competitors would also be your friends and helpmates. Since the club´s demise and their being absorbed into VMCC and Historical -- or whatever it is -- they have NOT changed -- still a wonderful bunch of blokes. My two Bantams were never powerful enough nor quick enough to be champions but I had some fantastic Interrmediate Class wins and placings and a heap of fun -- as well a lot of work....

You have raced cars and have experience of riding motorbikes but racing Bantams COMPETITIVELY is something quite different. If you want to win races and are over 66kg in the nude then either be satisfied with RIDING a Bantam in their races or get on with your gardening.

No! I´ll take that latter bit back. Get yourself a good Bantam -- a lot of advice is available on here and you are gonna get it -- get a Bantam and have fun and do be careful with the gravelity...°°°

All the best,
Cheers!

JayBee --

°°° That is g, for the force of gravity -- coupled with gravel if `g´ does get you.

so many differing opinions on frames, they have all been modified some minor like rear sub frames welded or bolted on, most use the loops from the latter swing arm type's, in the 50 to60 the plunger was the most popular, its also a lot lighter, one uses rigid, and some use extensively modified rear single suspension units, disc brakes up front and home made tanks and seat units, but you could just bolt a few number plates on and race a std bantam, its certainly within the rules and allowed.

125cc Engines some say that sand cast cases are better and that D7 sand cast is the item most suitable for short strokes I agree with this, however the very early D1 Cases are thicker, and I use these!! so the choice is your to make, but one rule to follow, if your welding avoid the dye cast cases.

175cc welding of any kind other than a repair is not allowed, especially in the area of the transfers, if I where building a 175cc now, I would plumb for D10 dye cast as they are much stronger than the D14 and any of the sand cast types like the D7 above, especially around the bearings bosses even though there is perhaps less material. the main reason to avoid them if your short stroking as the welding weakens them.!

Barrel's:- !!!! I would plumb for the Brian white copy is cheaper !! available and can come ported and cylinder liner fitted by Brian who really does know what he is doing with Bantams, his are heavily modified copies of the original George Todd /Herman Mire cylinders done originally for the BSA six days trials works team.

carbs again so many to choose from 30mm to start with even for a 175. Mikuni or Amal in good condition is very simple to set up and lots of help as many use these.

ignition: Rex gaunt does a system fit straight onto your standard crank, but if your short stroking, possibly may want to shorten the shafts and I still run a 45 year old moto-plat on one engine, but there is also Ducati/interspan/boyar/Borat, and many others and Rex Gaunt Racing does a very nice system that will fit or he will fit it for you, he even does the back plate to bolt and allows adjustment, so again the choice is endless, prices are vary similar.



Like John said, sometimes requests for info like this can get missed, but never ignored, so keep trying I'm sure others have different ideas to my comments.
and will be along shortly to comment !.


regds Derek

Thanks Derek for your reply ,looks like I have a lot of research to do before I go shopping, or should I look for a ready to race bike ?

I think it is best to buy a bike that has been raced in the last few years, with a fair reliability record. The last thing you want is to spend a lot of money not finishing. It cost money to enter don’t throw it away by trying to make a bike you don’t know anything about running. There are some Bantam racers for sale and a new build is not easy or cheap. I also think P6 parades are a good first step as you will find out a lot about your bike without the pressure of a race or being lapped. I don’t think you are daft for wanting to try racing at your age, It would be good to come to some meetings and see what we are doing before you spend a lot of money.

Thanks Ted for your advice, were is the best place to look for a bike? and showing my ignorance what is a P6 parade

Mike
002 is still available. See Forum 'For Sale' and your PM.
Regards
Chris