Pre-war Excelsior, but what model?

[Kuutiopää]

Hi forum,

I have this pre-war JAP engined Excelsior, can someone tell me what model this would be? Frame number starts with AWxxx, engine code is IOZS/H/xxxxx/SL. I know that JAP engine is: I=350cc, O=OHV, Z=dry sump, S=sport or special, H=year model -31, but what means SL in the end. Gearbox is Albion 4-speed handchange, not in the picture. Druid forks. All kind of info is welcome. Thank you.

Best regards,

Jami

[Kuutiopää]

Oops..picture forgotten.

[33d6]

Could you have misread the frame prefix? If you look again could it be A11, not AW?
Excelsior started to use a year prefix on their frame numbers in 1931. A for 1931, B for 1932, C for 1933 and so on. Anything having A as the first letter of the frame prefix would be from 1931.
Excelsior listed a 350cc OHV Sports Model No A11 on page 12 of their 1931 catalogue and your bike has an identical specification.
If the frame number starts A11 it would confirm it.
As for information, the VMCC Library is the obvious place, they will have everything you need. Just remember this is an assembled bike, you may have to obtain information seperately for the JAP engine, the Albion gearbox and Druid forks.
Lovely bike, remember that Excelsior won the 1929 Lightweight TT. This is a 350ohv version of the same bike. The prewar Excelsior is a very desirable bike.
Cheers,

[Kuutiopää]

Hi, Thanks or your kind info. Yes it is AWxxx. Can you say, how the jap engine is from 1931, if the frame is 1930 year model? I`am also looking few frame parts for this, Fueltank, footrests, rearstand etc.

Regards,
Jami

[33d6]

Hi again,
I didn't say the frame was 1930, I said Excelsior used the A prefix on their frame numbers in 1931.
You cannot have a 1930 350ohv Excelsior. They didn't list any 350ohv models for 1930.
Excelsior listed two 350ohv models for 1931. The model A10 Special Sports and the model A11 Sport. It is either one of those. Buy a copy of the 1931 catalogue and you can see what they look like.
Cheers,