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Messages - Alex61

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1
Identify these bikes! / Re: Nostalgia is strong on this one
« on: June 12, 2018, 02:33:44 AM »
Mini-Me & TGR,
Thank you for your entertaining posts. Melbourne is a big city too and while not as "active" as London its not immune from big city issues. You made me laugh with the hedge warning, which I have since shared with multiple friends. I was in London last June/July visiting my brother, and despite it being just after the 2 serious attacks and the tower fire (which was very shocking, I drove past multiple times) I had an incident free and fun holiday. Looking forward to a shorter visit in 3 weeks. I got an anonymous email this morning about a James in Frankston, about 40min south of me. Only issue is that its a 53 model. If I'm going to get a James its going to be a K8 or a K15, I think its "all or nothing" especially if its going to be a huge novelty object for 99% of the time!

Looks like a very good Captain and includes a bike trailer!
https://www.bikesales.com.au/bikes/details/1953-james-captain-de-luxe/sse-ad-5118170/?id=sse-ad-5118170

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Identify these bikes! / Re: Nostalgia is strong on this one
« on: June 04, 2018, 12:06:08 AM »
UK members,
I'll be in London for just over a week in July. Is there a James museum/factory or something similar worth visiting?
Is it worth the 4 hour round trip to Birmingham?
Anyone got a higher quality K8 graphic than I posted that I can use to make a poster or T-shirt for the family?
Sorry if I sound a bit like a demanding colonial, just enthusiatic!

3
Identify these bikes! / Re: Nostalgia is strong on this one
« on: June 03, 2018, 02:03:07 PM »
After more research I think the R got it correct first.
The 1939 K8 looks like a perfect fit, and if you look at the 1939 K15 with the smaller engine it shows the LHS with the one piece guard for chain & dynamo just like under my aunt! Asuming the 148 and the 250 were identical apart from size then it apears 'mine' is a 250. If only I can find one now!

Its been a very fruitfull weekend, thank you all for your amazing knowledge.

James 1939 K8 250cc
http://simplywizard.co.uk/folders/pre1940/prewarl3/39k8250.htm

James 1939 K15 148cc
http://simplywizard.co.uk/folders/pre1940/prewarl3/39k15148.htm


4
Identify these bikes! / Re: Nostalgia is strong on this one
« on: June 03, 2018, 11:12:59 AM »
Leon I think you've done it!
That photo of the 1939 James looks the business, the front forks and fenders are a perfect match.
One piece guard for chain & dynamo also works.
As you said engine looks smaller but my recollection from my uncle was that it was a one something, so 150 or 196 could be correct.

Also who knows how much it was modified in the 10 years it was on the road before my family got to it.

Only problem now is trying to get one, I almost wish it was a 1935 Excelsior.
Anyway Forensic Archiologist Award of the year to you Leon!

5
Identify these bikes! / Re: Nostalgia is strong on this one
« on: June 03, 2018, 04:55:13 AM »
The fenders look a good match, but the pipes are not.
The tank could be a match, profile is hard to be sure due to the angle.
I need a better shot of the RHS of the bike to be sure, or a LHS advert.


6
Identify these bikes! / Re: Nostalgia is strong on this one
« on: June 03, 2018, 04:17:39 AM »
Wow!
Thank you so much for all your thorough input/opinions. Very interesting.
I'll ask my cousin in Sydney if he can find any more photos.

I'll delay my interest in the specific Excelsior and research the 1930s James models.

Over 10 years ago at the Royal Exhibition Buildings bike show there was an old bike that looked similar.
This may of been why I thought it was an ACME.

It would of been a cheep old bike at the time for both my father & uncle to afford it so soon after arriving in Australia.
So I'm chasing down and old commuter bike when my last bike was a Cagiva Raptor 1000?  Suppose as I'm getting older a slower bike is more appropriate, but that slow?

 

7
Identify these bikes! / Re: Nostalgia is strong on this one
« on: June 02, 2018, 02:01:56 AM »
Thanks R,
Yes that picture of an ACME looks nothing like my dad's bike.
The 125 engine looks much smaller too, so looks like dad's was in fact a 250.
I sort of remember my uncle saying it was an Excelsior or was like an Excelsior.

The Adelaide guy has no idea of the value, and wants offers.
The flywheel thing has me worried.
I wonder if Villers engines available with both internal & external flywheels in the 40s.
More Googling!

Thanks you again for your response R

8
Identify these bikes! / Nostalgia is strong on this one
« on: June 01, 2018, 07:26:32 AM »
Dear forum members, I found you as I'm trying to identify a bike my father and uncle shared in Sydney Australia in the late 40s.
Both of them have recently passed away so I cant get any direct history. I have soft memories of them saying it had a 125 Villers engine, and was an ACME, an Australian Company that assembled British bikes from import parts. There is a 1935 Excelsior available in Adelaide that looks very close to me, but is a 250. I was hoping someone could identify the bike from the 2 old photos I have. Also any idea what a 1935 Excelsior is worth? I don't want to insult the owner with an inappropriate offer.

My aunt on the bike in the first photo is now 74.

Link to the Excelsior
https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/north-adelaide/cars-vans-utes/1935-excelsior/1182392827

Thank you for your great Forum, I'd love to have a similar bike my dad had almost 70 years ago.
Regards Alex

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