ID this lightweight on eBay

[chaterlea25]

Hi All,
This lightweight 2 stroke with I think Villiers engine and Burman gearbox is for sale on eBay UK
It has a dynamo down in front of the crankcase and its drive is covered by the primary case

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Hand-Change-Motorcycle-believed-to-be-1920s-or-1930s-Barn-shed-find/172568497608?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D2%26asc%3D20140122125356%26meid%3D7bf497f3fbfb46568ab28024ffd2488f%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D5%26rkt%3D6%26mehot%3Dpp%26sd%3D162424753487

Any ideas on what it might be?
John

[R]

Someone has already answered this on the auction - its a Wolf !!
The Wolf Vixen circa 1938, 249cc. ?

My eye was taken by this earlier model....
http://www.realclassic.co.uk/bikepix/wolf12070901.jpg

Found some detail pics of that generator ? out front, but now can't find.
Not entirely sure if that was factory or some PO efforts...

[chaterlea25]

Hi R
Thanks
John

[cardan]

It's complete, but boy it's rusty. I just couldn't imagine buying something like this without first seeing it up close.

Is the bidding for the bike, or is there something about the registration number? Why would there be 11 different bidders in the first 24 hours on something like this?

Cheers

Leon

[chaterlea25]

Hi All,
R,
The ad reply says "Most likely a Wolf pre-war motorcycle fitted with a Villiers 2 stroke motor. Andy (Tywardreath)
"
A suggestion as to its ID from another forum
http://classic-motorbikes.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/excelsior_empire.jpg

Certainly the primary case is very similar

John

[33d6]

Yes, definitely a 150cc Excelsior. The frame number will identify both the year and exact model.
Cheers,

[R]

Yes - this brochure pic is said to be 1935, so they went for a while.
http://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/2AUAAOSwdGFYpfgC/s-l1600.jpg

Must find where I saw those detail front generator pics, the text said it was a Wolf...

[33d6]

Yes, they did run for a few years. The big problem no one has mentioned is that this engine has a cast iron piston and given the amount of external rust you can bet the piston is seized in solid also.  It's a pig of a job getting a cast iron piston free from a fixed head engine. I have a variety of jigs and fixtures for this job and it is still a stinker.
Cheers,

[cardan]

I see the frame number has been listed as F1 / 727.

I'm afraid I can't make sense of the bidding - GBP1650 with 3 days to go. Perhaps the potential purchasers have the missing parts in store and the ability to do an enjoyable, trouble free and low cost restoration. I hope that the bike is less rusty than it looks! https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/19163/lot/470/

Cheers

Leon

[33d6]

The frame number tells it all. The F identifies it as 1936. The 1 ids it as a Model 1 for that year. The 150cc Model 1 was the smallest model in the Excelsior range for many years and when they introduced a 98cc bike in the mix in 1932 they had to give it a zero as the Model 0.
They're much more fun than you think. Riding becomes a challenge again.