classic motorcycle forum

Motorcycle Discussions => Identify these bikes! => Topic started by: Jonny91 on July 28, 2020, 08:54:36 PM

Title: My grandfathers bike
Post by: Jonny91 on July 28, 2020, 08:54:36 PM

I have attached a photo of my mother as a child sat on my grandfathers motorbike, the photo was taken in 1941. I always thought it was a BSA but I'm not sure as I can't see the emblem on the tank. Any help most appreciated

Title: Re: My grandfathers bike
Post by: Rex on July 28, 2020, 09:03:07 PM

It's Triumph Twin, just pre-war. I'd give it house room!

Title: Re: My grandfathers bike
Post by: cardan on July 28, 2020, 11:11:03 PM

Yes extremely nice - bike and photo. The Speed Twin was introduced in 1938, so the bike is a either 1938 or 1939. I love the "launch" sidecar, with little nautical doo-dads on the "deck".

I suppose the photo is hand coloured, which might explain some of the lack of detail on the tank.

Rare and very sought-after these days. If you add the name "Steve McQueen" you get seriously big money https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/25192/lot/53/

Cheers

Leon

Title: Re: My grandfathers bike
Post by: Mark M on July 29, 2020, 08:36:59 AM

Looks like a Noxal sidecar, a pretty much identical one sold by Bonhams in 2006 here: https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/14255/lot/575/  although Bonhams cautiously say 'make unknown' as 30s sidecars can be difficult to identify.
REgards, Mark

Title: Re: My grandfathers bike
Post by: Jonny91 on July 29, 2020, 10:31:30 PM

Thank you for the replies, its one heck of a coincidence as I'm currently riding a contemporary Triumph Speed Twin 😀
Thanks all

Title: Re: My grandfathers bike
Post by: R on July 30, 2020, 12:43:05 AM

So if you'd shown your bike this photo, it would have said "granddad !".