Author Topic: Excelsior Plunger frame ID  (Read 12630 times)

Offline DELONSTAINWALL

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Excelsior Plunger frame ID
« on: April 18, 2021, 11:29:02 PM »
Hi Team,

I have a Excelsior plunger not complete and would like to know if the chassis number is correct? Please see attached picture. it looks like DS1993. I DONT THINK IT IS CORRECT.

Kind Regards.
DS

Offline 33d6

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Re: Excelsior Plunger frame ID
« Reply #1 on: April 18, 2021, 11:54:36 PM »
Delon, it’s an absolutely correct number identifying a 1950 Excelsior 125cc Universal.
Excelsior frames of the period all look the same but there are minute differences between them that drive you nuts. They either improved them slightly from year to year or there are slight differences to accommodate the various engines. At that time Excelsior used both their own make and Villiers engines all of varying capacities. Plus of course, this is the time when they introduced their own 250cc twin two stroke power unit. The Villiers powered variants are the most common survivors by far.
Have fun,

Offline DELONSTAINWALL

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Re: Excelsior Plunger frame ID
« Reply #2 on: April 19, 2021, 01:50:47 AM »
Thank you 33d6 for your quick reply.

Is there any other model or make that used the same parts or similar?
 
is there a parts list with illustrations available to buy?

what sot of rims did they use as i will need to find them Please.

Regards,
DS

Offline R

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Re: Excelsior Plunger frame ID
« Reply #3 on: April 19, 2021, 04:16:33 AM »
Lets see if this will display here. Nope, have to click it ?
https://cybermotorcycle.com/gallery/excelsior-owners/images/Excelsior-1950-125cc-Universal-VDo-01.jpg

My little Excelsior/Waratah is a couple of years earlier (and has girder forks/rigid)
Its wheels are WM1 x 19  36 spoke and use 2.75 x 19 tyres.

I'd think there would be a lot of these about - if you can find who has a stash of them.

Offline R

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Re: Excelsior Plunger frame ID
« Reply #4 on: April 19, 2021, 04:29:25 AM »
A possible candidate for a front wheel ?
I'd have said my front drum is more like a 4" brake, but don't know what tele forked models used.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VILLIERS-FRONT-WHEEL-FRANCIS-BARNETT-JAMES-EXCELSIOR-PARTS-VINTAGE-MOTORCYCLE/164505842186
Not the least expensive seller on the planet ...

The National Motorcycle Museum sells photocopy parts books and owners books.
Looks like they have a 1950 and 51 parts book, not illustrated though.
https://www.nationalmotorcyclemuseum.co.uk/product/excelsior-british-1950-to-1951-spare-parts-manual-models-125cc-u1-u2-197cc-r1-r2-250cc-tt1-not-illus-anson602/

You'll have to become an expert on what fits what ?!! And soon will be ...
Hopethishelps.


Offline DELONSTAINWALL

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Re: Excelsior Plunger frame ID
« Reply #5 on: April 20, 2021, 12:03:54 AM »
R thank you for providing the eBay site thou seller is expensive.

Is there a place i could go to to find out the history of my Excelsior universal plunger ID: DS/1993?
I have managed to find the front and rear wheels please see attached photos. Who can I go to to get them FIXED in Melbourne.   

Offline R

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Re: Excelsior Plunger frame ID
« Reply #6 on: April 20, 2021, 03:42:22 AM »
That was quick !
At least one of those wheels looks a bit bantam-ish ?
Always a good source of common stuff.

How fixed do you want them to get. ?
Generally, the last thing you want to do with a long term project is to buy new tyres early on.
If you do it now, by the time the rest of it is done, they may be (well past) their use by date.
If they still pump up, you can use them to move it about the workshop, as is ?.
If you have forks and suspension bits ...

At least we know you are in Oz, so someone local may be able to assist.
I've always just accepted that the early history may be long gone and irretrievable,
but you never know. Good luck.

Offline R

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Re: Excelsior Plunger frame ID
« Reply #7 on: April 20, 2021, 03:48:48 AM »
P.S. A good source of info on that era used to be Modak Motorcycles, in Elizabeth St.
David was a goldmine of info on all things motorcycling in Melbourne, (and parts)
but I think he has gone online sales only these days, so may not be so available. ?
He may well have a lot of the small stuff you'll need ?
This is way better than jamming metric bolts into imperial holes ...

https://talesofbrickandmortar.files.wordpress.com/2017/10/modak37of43.jpg
« Last Edit: April 20, 2021, 03:50:21 AM by R »

Offline DELONSTAINWALL

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Re: Excelsior Plunger frame ID
« Reply #8 on: April 20, 2021, 04:27:43 AM »
I would like to get the rims and spoke reset and painted. If I can find a person to do this I will also get the frame and mudguards painted as well. The catch is it has to be in Melbourne.

Thank you R for your response.

DS

Offline Rex

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Re: Excelsior Plunger frame ID
« Reply #9 on: April 20, 2021, 08:49:15 AM »
To echo what's been said above, I wouldn't go too far into paint chrome and tyres when you're still at any early stage in the resto.
Do a dry build  up to the engine running stage then for for the new tyres and bling.
It does look like a Bantam hub though, and you'd need to check the fit and alignment of that before any respoking or whatever.

Offline DELONSTAINWALL

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Re: Excelsior Plunger frame ID
« Reply #10 on: April 20, 2021, 10:53:22 PM »
Thank you to all members for your valuable information and knowledge. Yes, a dry build is what I will do first to check the fit and alignment of engine and rear wheel. 

Offline john.k

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Re: Excelsior Plunger frame ID
« Reply #11 on: April 22, 2021, 04:12:12 AM »
Id suggest you leave the wheels till last ,as the cost of professional wheelbuilding can be staggering.......There are a couple of suppliers in England of wheel bits,and with a new set of spokes and rim ,doing the wheels isnt difficult......provided you havent pulled them to bits 10 years previously and forgotten all the details.....take many pictures of spoke arrangements ,etc.

Offline DELONSTAINWALL

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Re: Excelsior Plunger frame ID
« Reply #12 on: May 03, 2021, 11:47:05 PM »
Hi Team, hoping you can provide me with some of your valuable knowledge. I have had this fuel tank for some time now and I must have brought it at a swap meet though cannot remember. As I am gathering parts for my 1950 Excelsior Universal Plunger 125cc this fuel tank fits well and all hole's line up to the frame.

The question I have is, I don't believe this tank is from the 1950 Excelsior Universal Plunger 125cc as it has the a gear changing leaver. I'll be interested to know witch year and motel this tank came out of?

Offline 33d6

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Re: Excelsior Plunger frame ID
« Reply #13 on: May 04, 2021, 02:12:44 AM »
That is a Jame ML tank and gear change. These are highly sought after in some parts of the world. You will definitely get your money back on that one.

Offline DELONSTAINWALL

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Re: Excelsior Plunger frame ID
« Reply #14 on: May 04, 2021, 04:36:50 AM »
Thanks 33d6 for letting me know that it was out of the James ML. I also have the Villiers engine that I think it is a 9D 125cc in full working order missing the mufflers. Not sure what I paid for the tank or the 9d engine. Cheers Delon