classic motorcycle forum

Motorcycle Discussions => Identify these bikes! => Topic started by: VintageBike on December 19, 2008, 12:10:15 PM

Title: Any Ideas (Connaught)
Post by: VintageBike on December 19, 2008, 12:10:15 PM

Guys,

this picture has been sitting the the Period Pictures gallery for a long while now and we haven't managed to get an ID on it.  Can anyone else advise?

Cheers

Nigel

Title: Re: Any ideas?
Post by: m3bobby on December 19, 2008, 06:15:05 PM

Quote

Guys,

this picture has been sitting the the Period Pictures gallery for a long while now and we haven't managed to get an ID on it.  Can anyone else advise?

Cheers

Nigel

Possibly AJS????

Title: Re: Any ideas?
Post by: Dirt_Track on December 21, 2008, 11:32:12 AM

G'day all
The engine is a Blackburne 350 most probably, small front brake and the style of the P & H headlamp suggest early 20's to me.
Could be any of a dozen or more makes who fitted Blackburne motors at that time, mostly all of which would have been fairly small manufacturers.
Howard.

Title: Re: Any ideas?
Post by: cardan on December 21, 2008, 11:34:07 AM

Burman gearbox might also help narrow it down...

Title: Re: Any ideas?
Post by: VintageBike on December 30, 2008, 06:47:01 PM

Many thanks to Max for this feedback...

The Motorcycle in the Photograph is a 1924 Connaught  Sports Model with 2 ¾ HP  348cc  71mm Bore by  88m Stroke Blackburne Engine fitted, Connaught’s were very popular mounts during this period , (better known for their Two Stroke Models).  Attached find a  Oct 18th 1923 Olympia Show left side illustration of the Model which has the Sturmey Archer gearbox option ( Long hand change arm pivoting on the gearbox) ,  but was also available with a Burman Gearbox and right knee frame/tank position hand shift as pointed out by Leon.
Special points , Frame has the front tube meeting the top of tank tube low on the headstem lug casting. Position of Tank Filler cap near the right hand knee with hand oil pump just ahead. Curve in the attachment point of rear stand to clear wheel axle nuts. Same Front Forks , small front brake, unvalanced front mudguard, shape of rear rack & rear number plate position. All chain drive. Front mounted Magneto. Similar Muffler Position with the very end of tail pipe squashed-in

(http://www.vintagebike.co.uk/Bike%20Directories/OthersAtoC/images/Connaught-23.jpg)

Title: Re: Any ideas?
Post by: RichP on December 30, 2008, 08:20:35 PM

It's nice to read a convincing identification like that. Full marks to Max.

The number is a London County Council series commencing August 1923 which fits nicely.

Title: Re: Any ideas?
Post by: Dirt_Track on December 30, 2008, 11:12:22 PM

G'day all
Well done to Max.
The other make I was considering was Wheatcroft, another make who fitted Blackburne motors.
There is another photo of this bike from the drive side....I will see if I can attach it.

Title: Re: Any ideas?
Post by: cardan on January 03, 2009, 10:23:40 AM

There are even more photos in the original thread - almost exactly one year ago!

http://www.vintagebike.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1198479828

Nigel have you considered re-naming the threads with the make/model of bike once a it has been identified? It would make it easier to go back and extract information from old posts.

Leon

Title: Re: Connaught
Post by: VintageBike on January 06, 2009, 04:39:55 PM

Hi Leon,

you are quite right.  I hadn't realised this bike had been in the forum before.  Seems you had the answer all along....

And I like your idea on renaming the thread.  I'll try and do that whenever possible.

Happy new year

Nigel