Collecting the bike

So if you have not yet read the "About Me" section then head over there to see how this project came about and why I am doing it.

After spending countless hours trawling through various listings on eBay, I came to the conclusion that joining the BSA Bantam Owners Club was probably a wise decision. Not only would it provide me with a community of like-minded enthusiasts, but it might also lead to the opportunity to find a suitable bike for restoration. I had come across a few "project bikes" that were in quite rough condition, and I realised that they were probably a little too far gone for my first project. However, amidst my search, a particular model from 1957, the D3, caught my attention. This specific bike had been completely stripped down by a previous owner, and the frame had been powder-coated. This indicated that it could potentially be a good starting point for my restoration journey, as a lot of the initial work had already been done. After negotiating a price with the owner and gathering some additional information about the bike's history and condition, I embarked on an 80-mile journey from Kent to Reading. My heart raced with anticipation as I hoped that all of the various boxes filled with bike parts would fit comfortably in the back of my car. Upon arrival, I was greeted by a mountain of boxes, each filled with different components and pieces of the bike. After a bit of creative packing and some strategic manoeuvring, I managed to squeeze all the boxes into my car, and I set off for the journey home, excitement bubbling within me.

Squeezing the parts into my car!

Once I arrived back home, the first job on my agenda was to sort through the myriad of boxes and try to categorise all the items into smaller, more manageable boxes, each labelled for easy identification. Having never undertaken a bike restoration project before, I felt a mix of excitement and trepidation. However, I did possess some basic knowledge about motorcycle mechanics, which gave me a little confidence. As I began to sift through the parts, I recognised several components, such as clutch plates and springs, which allowed me to cross-check them with the schematics I had printed out. This process of identification and organisation was crucial, as it would help streamline the restoration process later on. The multiple large boxes that had initially seemed overwhelming quickly transformed into multiple small boxes, each meticulously labelled. I hoped that this systematised approach would make my job easier as I progressed further into the restoration of the BSA Bantam D3. By taking the time to sort and label everything, I was not only creating a more organised workspace but also preparing myself mentally for the challenges that lay ahead. I envisioned the satisfaction that would come from seeing this bike come back to life, piece by piece, and I was determined to make this project a success.

More parts!