classic motorcycle forum

With some half dozen identical Model 1 Excelsior frames from the period sitting about the place I've slowly come to the conclusion that in 1930 Excelsior dithered about how they would number them.  I've two 1929 frames with one numbering system, two with no numbers at all and two prefixed A, the system introduced in 1931. Chats with other Excelsior owners is slowly convincing me that in 1930 they either stamped a few with some sort of orphan number or no number at all. Mainly no number at all. It's no big deal. It's only a problem either when it comes to getting the things on the road as depending on where you live some authorities downright insist on a frame number or convincing people it is truly a 1930 machine and thus eligible to enter in proper vintage events. Best of luck with that one.

As far as the saddle goes Excelsior of the period used a natty more or less right angle forging for the saddle nose attachment that fitted in to the saddle tube and could be raised or lowered to suit the riders preference. These are occasionally missing or replaced with some strange bodges leading to odd saddle configurations. Even if the original bit is there it can sometimes be amazingly difficult to raise or lower and also lead to some strange configurations. Fresh paint can make it even more awkward. Again, best of luck with that.

Finally, too old to ride an Excelsior? Never old friend, never. The late vintage Excelsior is a lovely machine. I never believed all that nonsense about racing improving the breed but in Excelsior's case having won the 1929 Lightweight TT with essentially the same bike as yours I have to agree. They are an agile sweet little machine and a pleasure to ride. Being of an age that my riding is limited and the manager is pushing hard for me to stop altogether I can say that my Excelsior is staying even if everything else goes. The post war Excelsior did nothing to enhance the Excelsior name. The pre-war Excelsior is another beast entirely.

 

Thanks for the comments. The exposed electrical wiring is entirely my fault. I totally forgot (old age?) to put the battery box in place (with the terminals then hidden) before taking the pictures. The saddle does look odd but they are the original springs and the saddle itself is an exact replica of the original. Its position is very close to that shown in the 'before' picture. As I am not likely to be riding this machine, it's far too heavy for an oldie like me, I will leave it for next user to adjust to suit.
There are plenty of small 'tweaks' still to do on this and it is the first such job I have ever undertaken. So it is helpful to have comments from enthusiasts who can spot where things are wrong!

You've got to put the right bait on your hook.

But a lot of those who have had them , won't have another.

Should you pop in again one day I'll wear your ears out with tales about Broughs,Vincents and the defects of  both the bikes and their owners.

Both marques  seem to be owned by the watertight ducks arse  mob.  Vincent owners will rob their mothers for parts, every time I had stuff nicked from my stalls at Jumbles it would be Vincent parts 75% of the time.
I still remember how back in my youth I was robbed of 4 heavyweight Sturmey boxes by a Brough owner who was too tight to pay the asking price, well below the going rate because of my greeness, but not too tight to drive 150 miles of an evening to do it.

I'll also relate the tale of the  wealthy SS100 owner who I once arranged to meet on Chelsea bridge at the dog stall, 'why there?' he asked, 'because if you don't pay my effing bill  I am going to heave the effing thing  over the side into the Thames.'
 Like drawing teeth  getting paid by that guy, 8 months late.

Class is not defined by paying silly money for an obsolete machine.

When I learned to ride , 1963, my uncle who taught me was a total Vincent nut, along with his neighbour, who bought Vins for breaking, rule was, £40 for a twin, £5 for a Comet if it had good tyres, because they wanted the front heads.
Cheapest running twin I came across was £25, a bloke at the side of the road who had not realised how much fuel it would use and was pushing it home.
I suppose I have been mentally scarred by the experiences as I can't see the value of  them now either.

It does look pretty but is there a market at that price? I would have doubted it but then I never thought Vincent twins would fetch more than a couple of hundred quid.