classic motorcycle forum

Motorcycle Discussions => Identify these bikes! => Topic started by: 1972duster on March 24, 2013, 03:55:56 PM

Title: Need Help Identifying Bike
Post by: 1972duster on March 24, 2013, 03:55:56 PM: I found this old motorcycle in my grandfather's barn and am trying to determine what brand and year it may be. If anyone can give me an idea what it may be or can provide guidance on how to determine what it is and the value of such would be appreciated. The photos were taken with my cell phone so that are not the best.

Thanks for any help you may offer!
Title: Re: Need Help Identifying Bike
Post by: Christian Arapu on March 24, 2013, 04:25:35 PM: possible it's french, but i'm not sure, it's strange... it have a springer front end! :D i know very many brands of bikes but i never seen similar... i try to find it
Title: Re: Need Help Identifying Bike
Post by: esometisse on March 24, 2013, 04:35:24 PM: the pics are crap, that's for sure...
But it seems to be an American made Simplex motorcycle of the immediate post-war era I'd say

Are you in the States by any chance?

Cheers
Andy

Here's one:
http://motorbike-search-engine.co.uk/classic-bikes-2/simplex-model-h.jpg
Title: Re: Need Help Identifying Bike
Post by: Christian Arapu on March 24, 2013, 04:37:40 PM: and seat looks like Indians or Harley 30's, 40's :D
Title: Re: Need Help Identifying Bike
Post by: 1972duster on March 24, 2013, 04:51:03 PM: Thanks for the responses so far. I am located in Virginia. If it is a Simplex, would there be some engravings of numbers or name somewhere on the frame or tank that would be beneficial in identifying it? I need to remove it from the barn so I can take better photos wit a camera but didn't have time the other day when we were going through items in the barn. Any idea what might be a value attached to item in this shape without a engine.
Title: Re: Need Help Identifying Bike
Post by: Christian Arapu on March 24, 2013, 05:50:13 PM: Quote from: 1972duster on March 24, 2013, 04:51:03 PM
... Any idea what might be a value attached to item in this shape without a engine.

maybe 500$ or more... :-\
Title: Re: Need Help Identifying Bike
Post by: cardan on March 24, 2013, 10:00:36 PM: Second one this year! http://www.classicmotorcycleforum.com/index.php?topic=4298.0

Leon
Title: Re: Need Help Identifying Bike
Post by: rogerwilko on March 24, 2013, 10:48:00 PM: This site sure brings out the worthless dross!
Title: Re: Need Help Identifying Bike
Post by: Bomber on March 25, 2013, 01:20:16 AM: ROFLMFAO!
Title: Re: Need Help Identifying Bike
Post by: esometisse on March 25, 2013, 03:34:48 PM: I don't know about the correlation between frame numbers (if there are any!) and years of manufacture - you will have to google this. The best way to tell the year would have been the engine as they used several (mostly small industrial units) over the almost three decades this thing was built but the engine is obviousely gone.
What's it worth? No idea, but I wouldn't expect too much from it! Best way to find out is to put it on the market somewhow (ebay?). This way you don't have to find out more about it as the potential buyers/bidders will know more anyway.
But maybe it carries an emotional value for you being your late grandfathers ex-mount? That's to decide for you alone! In this case keep it, get information, find an engine, put it all back together (it seems quite complete apart from the missing engine) and have (if not too much, I'm afraid....) fun with it!

Cheers
Andy
Title: Re: Need Help Identifying Bike
Post by: Bruce F. on March 31, 2013, 07:10:55 PM: Yes, it looks like a simplex, google it and you will see many examples to confirm it. I see them on ebay and craigslist from time to time.
Title: Re: Need Help Identifying Bike
Post by: Steve Zodiak on June 13, 2013, 04:08:53 AM: Here's my friends Simplex...
Title: Re: Need Help Identifying Bike
Post by: Stephen Foster on June 13, 2013, 08:57:46 AM: Thats a smart looking machine !