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Messages - Wavy Gravy

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Identify these bikes! / Re: Can anyone identify this bike?
« on: September 02, 2019, 06:49:44 PM »
Quote from: mini-me on September 02, 2019, 03:55:12 PM
the "two lugs" are screw holes, probably about 8 round the case, nothing else.
If thats the best you can come up with as a 'useful clue' I'm done with it.

Face it you'll probably never know.

If you think about it, the two lugs may be something that can identify the engine. Some manufacturers used bolts/screws outside the "gasket line" as this one does. Matchless were one of them on some engines. Others have screws inside the gasket line. Others even have the screws in the middle of the case. Some JAP's for example.

From what has been said, theres a reasonable chance that this is a Matchless engined OEC from about 1934 or '35. Which exact model, I've no idea.

Maybe I will never find out what it is, but on the other hand, maybe I will. One thing is certain though. I dont want this to be the first thing that beats me in over 55 years of riding/repairing motorcycles.

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Identify these bikes! / Re: Can anyone identify this bike?
« on: September 02, 2019, 09:47:44 AM »
Looking online, I found just one photo of an OEC with a Matchless engine. The 35/3 model. It does look like a good match for the photos.

I do have quite a bit of info regarding Matchless motorcycles, but nothing as detailed as 33d6 posted.

Any comments anyone?

Before I forget, thanks for your input everyone.


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Identify these bikes! / Re: Can anyone identify this bike?
« on: September 02, 2019, 07:58:24 AM »
This is the best that I can manage, and its not much of an improvement. From what I can see, there are two external lugs on the timing case. They dont seem to fit in with some engine photos I have found online, neither does the "angle" of the case leading up to the magneto (or is it a magdyno?). Parallel pushrod tubes can just be seen as well. Any help to anyone?

4
British Bikes / Re: bsa bantam
« on: September 01, 2019, 05:35:08 PM »
I'm relying on memory here...

The Silver Bantam was only made for one year, 1967, but announced in 1966. The designation was D10, and it had a 3 speed gearbox. Later D10's were the first that had a four speed. Both were 175's.

So, to answer, not sure if it is or isnt a Silver Bantam.

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Identify these bikes! / Re: Can anyone identify this bike?
« on: September 01, 2019, 03:28:17 PM »
Quote from: mini-me on September 01, 2019, 02:54:54 PM
Better detail there, but not much better,  can't you play with contrast and brilliance to bring the detail out?


If someone could tell me how to do that with contrast, brilliance, I'd give it a try, assuming I have whatever is needed of course.

When I found this photo, there was another one with it. Not of what appears to be the two bikes, but of the other that went along on the trip to Scotland. The photos appear to have been taken at the same time. I can post that if asked, but it appears to me (unless I am sadly mistaken) to be a 500cc Norton. Either an ES2 or a Model 18. Whichever it is, it has the Roadholders. That corresponds  with part of what I was once told about the trip. It doesnt seem to correspond with the bike pictured. If it did, then the photo of the bike with the little lad on it would be a Sunbeam. I think that its already established that it isnt one of those.


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Identify these bikes! / Re: Can anyone identify this bike?
« on: September 01, 2019, 02:04:57 PM »
Here is the other photo I found. I hope this can help with the identification.


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Identify these bikes! / Re: Can anyone identify this bike?
« on: September 01, 2019, 11:51:02 AM »
I did find one more photo yesterday. I'll scan it and post as soon as I can. Its not much clearer than the others, however. I'm currently looking for others that may be better. Stay tuned... :)

8
Identify these bikes! / Re: Can anyone identify this bike?
« on: August 31, 2019, 11:44:59 AM »
The duplex frame can just be seen on the photo that shows two adults on it.

I do agree, people do change their bikes from the second the get them. The ones I own prove that! As long as I have been riding, swapping levers, headlamps etc. has always been popular. I would doubt that someone would remove the rear mudguard stay though. Unless there was a reason behind it, such as fitting a passenger seat.

Please guys, dont for one minute think that I am trying to start some kind of argument. To get to the bottom of this has become quite important to me for some very personal reasons.


9
Identify these bikes! / Re: Can anyone identify this bike?
« on: August 31, 2019, 09:58:47 AM »
I do agree, the 250cc OEC does look very likely. I had actually discounted them previously due to the frame. Other than some competition models, I'd never noticed one with a duplex frame. As I wrote previously though, my knowledge of pre-war bikes is limited to say the least!

There are two reasons that I am trying to identify this bike correctly. First, in 1951 it was ridden from just outside St. Helens, Lancashire up to Forres in Morayshire, Scotland and back with my Dad as passenger. Second, a few weeks later, the bike was crashed, possibly due to a steering fault. As a result of injuries from the accident, the owner passed away in hospital about two weeks later.

Edit: Was there a larger version that looked identical that would have been capable of pulling a sidecar?

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Identify these bikes! / Re: Can anyone identify this bike?
« on: August 31, 2019, 07:35:50 AM »
I know quite a lot about the photos, but nothing that is really relevant to identifying the bike. Bear in mind that I know very little about bikes from the pre war era in my next comments.

There are four things that do strike me as being unusual about it though.

First, the handlebar levers. They appear to be of the later type that is common even today. My original guess as to the bikes age was based on these, so I would have dated it as being closer to WW2 than the registration date.

Second, the headlamp appears to be chrome. From other photos, it seems that this is unusual, most being black. As suggested, it could have been changed at some time.

Third, I cannot ever recall a rigid framed bike as not having a rear mudguard strut that comes roughly 45 degrees away from the hub. No doubt there are some, and if there are, I'm certain someone on here will know. Perhaps that will help to identify it.

Fourth. the exhausts seem a little short. When I have trying to identify the bike, similar systems are always longer.

Years ago, I was told that the bike was a 328cc OEC Twin Port. I've since discounted that one. Then, I was told that it was a 1938 Sunbeam Model 9. That does not seem to be correct either, especially if the registration is from 1934 or 5.

One thing that may be relevant. In June, 1951, the owner of the bike wanted to take the little lad in one of the photos (his nephew) to Chester Zoo. That would suggest to me that it was a 5 or 600cc engine. Mainly because to take a child of that age with him would suggest it had a sidecar. I couldnt really see anything smaller being used as an outfit.

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Identify these bikes! / Re: Can anyone identify this bike?
« on: August 30, 2019, 05:18:00 PM »
Thats part of the mystery. The bike was owned by the photographer, and I know that he did have an Aunt that lived in Croydon around that time. I'm not sure that was considered London back then. Or was it?

The two photos were taken just outside St. Helens, in what is now known as Merseyside around 1950 or 1951.

Would something registered during that period be a 1934 or 1935 model?

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Identify these bikes! / Can anyone identify this bike?
« on: August 30, 2019, 11:46:35 AM »
Sorry these photos are so blurred, but I'm hoping that some one can identify this bike. I did check the registation (AYV 348) with DVLA but it doesnt show up. If its the bike I a hoping it is, I have an interesting story about it.

As this is my first post, I'm not sure if I have attached the photos correctly. If they cant be seen, can someone talk me through the correct way?

TIA

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