April 2005

I've now put over 500 miles on the clock and have had a few teething problems. The fork bushes still need some attention, the motor went through an early phase of nipping up when it was being run in but this now seems behind me.

What's it like to ride? A little underwhelming! With my 6 foot 2 inch frame the bike is very small. 40 mph is very much its top speed and it is challenged by even the slightest gradient. That's not to say it won't go up the hills - it's just that the steep ones are done at walking pace!

The lighting system is annoying. It blows globes regularly and the headlamp is dim. I've done a 12 volt conversion on two other Bantams and this has been very successful. When I get a free moment I might do this one.

Summary. It's a Bantam. Nothing will change that. Every time I take it out someone either walks past or winds down the car window and says "I used to have one of those". That's the Bantam magic.