What is this bike please help me

[mateuszpl]

Whats name this bike
http://www.fotosik.pl/pokaz_obrazek/99379d6d85f2e4dc.html
http://www.fotosik.pl/pokaz_obrazek/7de76fec4b9257f7.html
What is this bike please help me
Please foto in complete bike.

[wetdog]

more information please , many makes used JAP motors , The single cylinder JAP 4B engine ( which this might be engine numbers req )  was originally designed for use in speedway bikes during the 1930s

[cardan]

No ideas yet, but the twin-down-tube full-cradle frame is interesting. Does the gear change lever have Burman written on it? Twin exhaust ports and hand change would suggest a date 1929 - 1934?
Leon

[33d6]

I strongly suspect it is an Excelsior of the early 30's. Precisely which one I couldn't say as they made a variety of bikes fitted with a twin port JAP, Burman hand change box, twin down tube frame, etc, etc. Probably the frame number would confirm this as from 1931 Excelsior used an alphanumeral combination that identified the year and model.
Completely as an aside and I'm not having a go at our friend who wants to find out what he has, I'm always surprised how many people never seem to think the frame and engine numbers are relevant and don't include them with their request. Its no big deal, I'm just fascinated at how many people don't think they are important.
Anyway, Mateus, tell us the frame and engine numbers and we can help you.
Cheers,

[mateuszpl]

Number frame This LM 326
Number engine add picture:http://www.fotosik.pl/pokaz_obrazek/42ce44726b34a208.html

[chaterlea25]

Hi All,
Now we'r getting places
I =350cc (70 x 90mm)
O = ohv
Z = dry sump lube system
H = 1931
S = engine to customer spec ( this may not always be 100% correct)

HTH
John O R

[rogerwilko]

Or it could be a special like this!

[33d6]

The frame number is a mystery but that is no surprise. Excelsior did strange things with frame numbers around about this time. I have a couple of circa 1930 Excelsior frames with no number at all.
Essentially I think this is a circa 1931 Model A11 Excelsior. This was their 350 OHV two port Sports model fitted with a JAP engine, Burman 3 speed handchange gearbox,twin downtube frame, etc, etc. Everything is exactly as in Mateusz' photo. The final confirmation is the odd saddle. If you look carefully it seems to be similar to a BSA of the time with a central mounting post yet is also spring mounted at the rear.
As fitted by the factory the central post is actually an upside down L shaped casting/forging with a forward facing arm so the saddle pivots at the front. As far as I know its unique to Excelsior. I don't know of any other make with such an arrangement. If the original saddle failed owners could replace it with a central mount saddle so you find some strange arrangements. Mine have a mixture of original factory system, replacement central mount saddle and a horrible home made replacement bent pipe arrangement so the original factory part must have been a weak point.
There are photos of the A11 Excelsior to be found in the Excelsior Gallery of www.cybermotorcycle.com . That owner claims it be a 1930 model but it can't be as Excelsior didn't catalogue a 350 OHV model in 1930.
Cheers,
 

[rogerwilko]

Yes, it is an odd seating arrangement. This is a pretty standard late twenties single post seat.

[glaser 31]

LM 326
can be from late 1930 to early 1931, beacuse I have LM 323 coming to denmark 22-12-30.
And I have serval others LM 334 coming 19-1-31.
LM serie is listed model 8A  350cc sv model A9  250cc ohv model A 11 350cc ohv.
and these info is from the orginal dealers book
Glaser

[cardan]

I expect 33d6 is in Excelsior heaven, with two 1930-ish Excelsiors to discuss on the site in the last two weeks! The other was the Villiers Super Sport powered lightweight http://www.vintagebike.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=2081.0 . Now most might prefer that cracking 350cc OHV twin port JAP, but I wonder if 33d6 might lean towards the Villiers? A friend has a complete-but-unrestored James with a 172cc Super Sport motor (complete with the Villiers auto oiling system), and I'll confess to a few "improper thoughts" on the occasions I see it in his shed. I think it has something to do with reading about Tommy Meeton's early exploits on vintage Villiers two strokes in Motor Cycle Sport in the 1970s...

Leon

[33d6]

Hi Leon,
You've picked me in one. I am in Excelsior heaven and I am more partial to the Villiers end of the range. The reasons are simple enough, anything JAP powered always commands a premium price compared to Villiers and creaky hips are pushing me into smaller bikes.  Kickstarting is no bother but getting on is a different matter. Nowadays a low saddle counts more than power!
It would seem though that we are agreed Mateusz' bike is a Model A11 Excelsior. Lucky man. 1929 when Excelsior won the Lightweight TT was the start of their golden age that ran right through the 1930's up to WWII. They made ripper bikes in that time.
Cheers,

[mateuszpl]

I managed to get boxes to this small motor but unfortunately I don't have hanging still. You know perhaps how many of such motors stayed produced?
how many is ware is it a wonder?