classic motorcycle forum

Motorcycle Discussions => Identify these bikes! => Topic started by: jonbonalon on February 15, 2023, 09:52:50 AM

Title: Long Shot - Help Identify Grandads Ring of Fire Bike
Post by: jonbonalon on February 15, 2023, 09:52:50 AM

Hello,

May be a long shot given quality of photo, but hoping someone might be able to help identify or confirm the bike my Grandad rode the ring of fire with.

From other photos I think he rode a 1946ish BSA B31. Not sure he would of used that in this stunt?

I also know he did trials, which he may have had a triumph for.

Other photos attached show the BSA, he is at the back of Lands End photo, and that is my great grandad on it in the single shot. Then him during a trial.

He would have been riding in the late 40s/early to mid 50s.

Any help is much appreciated.

Jon

Title: Re: Long Shot - Help Identify Grandads Ring of Fire Bike
Post by: cardan on February 16, 2023, 09:08:18 AM

Hi Jon,

I looked at the photos before I read your post, and I thought it looked like a "cooking" BSA single, just post war. So, yes, a B31 (350) or B33 (500). In the photo with the Douglas you see - through the spokes in the Douglas front wheel - the push rod tunnel, which pretty-much confirms BSA. Plus the fork, brake, etc.

Love the ring of fire photo!

Cheers

Leon

Title: Re: Long Shot - Help Identify Grandads Ring of Fire Bike
Post by: Rex on February 16, 2023, 05:14:05 PM

Looks like a Villiers engine in the last pic.

Title: Re: Long Shot - Help Identify Grandads Ring of Fire Bike
Post by: jonbonalon on February 17, 2023, 08:15:50 AM

Thanks for help.

Didnt mention I wanted to find out bike to use as reference for a tattoo.

However given the difficulty I may just use the B31 as reference given I know he had one of them. The tattoo will only use image as inspiration anyway given the quality.

He was part of a club and have photos of him during trials using someone elses bike, so likey he could have borrowed one for the jump. So could be anything.

I will post a better photo I found of possible villiers engine trials bike.

I don't know much about Villiars, and I right in saying that if the trials bike is using a Villiars engine it could be from a number of motorcycle manufacturers?

Cheers,
Jon

Title: Re: Long Shot - Help Identify Grandads Ring of Fire Bike
Post by: jonbonalon on February 17, 2023, 08:16:22 AM

Trials Bike.

Title: Re: Long Shot - Help Identify Grandads Ring of Fire Bike
Post by: cardan on February 18, 2023, 02:23:04 AM

Hi Jon,

Pretty sure that the ring of fire bike is the B31.

Yep the trials bike has a Villiers engine-gearbox unit, and yep there were lots of different makers that used it. Many of these made a "comp" model for trials, scrambles etc.

I think this one is a James, early 1950s?

https://www.shannons.com.au/club/bike-news/old-bikes/old-bike-australasia-james-commando-trails-little-jimmy-the-trials-bike/

Leon

Title: Re: Long Shot - Help Identify Grandads Ring of Fire Bike
Post by: jonbonalon on February 24, 2023, 08:44:09 AM

Thanks alot for your help.

I dont think I would have ever figured out the James bike, that definitely looks like the one.

Cheers,
Jon