Can you help solve a mystery?

[Eog747]

Hi there,
I live in London UK and while getting work done in the back garden, the builder dug this out of the ground. I'm fascinated and would love to find out more about this piece of history.

The house was built between 1920 and 1930 in an estate built for soldiers coming home from WW1, so on that basis I am guessing its from that era.

I know nothing about  motorbikes so I am hoping you guys might be able to share your expertise.

Thanks in advance for your help!

[cardan]

Excellent reasoning, but unfortunately the bike dates from a little after that other war: it's an early 1950s BSA Bantam.

Presumably its time below the surface has caused untold damage, so if you can get away with it (with the other half), how about using it as a garden ornament? It would make an interesting conversation piece.

On Time Team they always reckon that the older stuff is buried deeper. Keep digging?

Cheers

Leon

[Eog747]

Thanks Cardan, only slightly disappointed its not a military relic!

Not sure other half will be so tolerant although I like the idea of keeping it...

Would it be worth anything do you think? Could someone restore it perhaps...

[cardan]

A Bantam is not a very valuable thing at the best of times, so I doubt a buried one has any real value (beyond the curiosity of having dug it up in the garden!) Sadly I suspect it might have to go in the dumpster unless the metal has somehow escaped the ravages of rust. A rarer bike and the advice might be different. Sorry!

Leon

[Eog747]

Thanks for your help!!
Case closed...

[kate]

been started in 20 years. The second pic you sent looks closer but don't know if it has disk brakes will have to check again.  And will try to get better pictures.  It is my dad's and he believes it was a 60's model.

[Road hog]

could be a German DKW, which the bantam was copied from

[mark2]

put it back in the hole