Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[Rick]

Hi all

Ian sent over this great photo, while researching his family tree. Can anyone shed light on what it is???

thanks, Rick


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[pigtin]

Looks like it may be stripped down for racing. Forks, drive and engine (what we can see of them) could be from many machines of this period. I think the key to identifying it is the front downtube of the frame, it has a bend in it. The only bike I can find with such a feature is a Douglas... but a Douglas it definitely aint'.

Don.

[peter scott]

Looks a bit like these De Luxe and Diamond bikes.. http://www.localhistory.scit.wlv.ac.uk/Museum/Transport/Motorcycles/DeLuxe.htm

But like Pigtin, I don't think it's one of them either.
The front spring is differently located.

Peter

[pigtin]

Just noticed... it's got a JAP engine, how did I miss that? But anyway, I'm still none the wiser as to the make.

[Scotty]

The underslung tank is unusual.

[Uncle Joe]

There are two things that strike me about this bike.

First, its probably pre 1930, more likely about 1920.

Secondly, I'm pretty certain that the engine is the 6hp JAP V-twin. That should cut it well down, because very few manufacturers used that engine, most used the 8hp.

Does this help?

[the fly]

i had a machine similar to thiswith curved front down tube and 680 jap motor . it was a zenith reputed to have been used for racing at brooklands .mystery machine is fitted with saxon forks and chain cum belt transmision .my machine had druid forks and all chain drive.most bikes from the nineteen twentys had the fuel tank under the top frame rail .hope this is of some help

[Rick]

hi the fly, welcome to forum it'd be interesting to hear about some of the bikes you've owned, own now etc!

cheers, Rick
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[Old-Nail]

And it appears that the young lad has sat on the petrol cap
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[the fly]

thanks ric .when i get the hang of this box of triks i will post some photographs.bikes owned at present include .1903 vindec special.1929 500 cotton jap, 1934 mk 4ktt velo .


and it came to pass aknave came forth from the wildernes and said go youth and marry yon whench for surley two can live as cheapley as one.many years passed theknave apeared again and said fear not ageing one for life begins at your fortieth year. i now seek this knave so that i might slay him ..

[Uncle Joe]

If that engine is indeed the 5hp, (680) then if my memory serves, there were only 3 manufacturers that used it in the 20's. BAT, Rover, and Zenith. If it was the 6hp (770) then there were only 2, Excelsior and Trump.

Unless of course its been re-engined....the curved front downtube was a common feature to a lot of continental lightweights.

[pigtin]

I found a curved downtube on an Excelsior, similar tank, identical saddle but different forks and fitted with a Bradshaw oil-cooled engine.
It's a later bike with chain drive but there is a resemblance.