I want to identify this motorcycle model

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frankv

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#1317438 4-Jun-2015 16:01

I'm pretty sure that whoever has assembled this has made a mistake with the front end. It would be impossible to ride with forks at that angle.

If you turn round the front forks so that this piece

is flush with this piece

Then turn round the handlebars and lights and mudguard so that they're the same as present, then it more or less makes sense.

Looking closely at the engine, it appears to be an air-cooled two-stroke V-twin. The carburettor is in a box under the seat. This would have to be really bad design! I'd guess this puts the motorcycle in the 1920s. The seat seems to match that.

Out of curiosity, how big is this model? What's the other side look like? There's no exhaust pipes on this side.

tdgeek

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#1317446 4-Jun-2015 16:26

frankv: I'm pretty sure that whoever has assembled this has made a mistake with the front end. It would be impossible to ride with forks at that angle.

If you turn round the front forks so that this piece

is flush with this piece

Then turn round the handlebars and lights and mudguard so that they're the same as present, then it more or less makes sense.

Out of curiosity, how big is this model? What's the other side look like? There's no exhaust pipes on this side.

I've seen one google search that had the headlight at the bottom and the emblem at the top. Not the same emblem and the rest of the bike was way different. Good call on the other side view, and to back off matching the front issues

Kamkami

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#1317450 4-Jun-2015 16:34

The measurements are 36cm in length, 22cm at the highest point and weighs 1.3kg
I am also curious about what I think are 2 horns on either side? I don't know if you can see but it looks parallel to the foot rest...things..

Here is a pic of the other side

tdgeek

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#1317457 4-Jun-2015 16:54

Ah, the tank was very sloped on the other view, more normal here. Got to be no younger than 1930's, the early 40 Indian are much more modern

tdgeek

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#1317459 4-Jun-2015 16:58

Right, I think we are getting there, the perpective on the first pic didnt help.

Your pic on the left side, can you do that a little closer, and a little more light?S
Same with the recent right side pic, a little closer

Can you recheck for any signs of letters or numbers?

frankv

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#1317461 4-Jun-2015 17:04

Yeah, my guess now is 1930s Indian Chief... the engine isn't two-stroke after all.

Where does the rear exhaust pipe go? The one in that picture seems to only go to the front cylinder.

Kamkami

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#1317485 4-Jun-2015 18:06

I added flash :)
Is this any easier?

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Sidestep

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#1317827 5-Jun-2015 11:15

I saw something very similar once, sitting on a guy's shelf. He'd built it – while in jail - from memory, an amalgam of the classic bikes he liked with whatever bits he could get hold of in metal shop.

Your one's based on a classic '40-50ish Indian, with the unusual rear pot suspension, divided front frame.

Likely 1946-49 Chief 'cause the springer “girder” style front end – which was used on a lot of early bikes, British & American - has one piece forks.
It's sitting up too high on it's springs like it's lifted, & missing the lower link. Fuel & oil tanks are sitting too high, over the frame instead of beside it.
The hiway bars, light bar & deep skirt fenders also look Chief-ish right to the rear, in-fender Indian toolbox.

The engine's a take on a sidevalve V twin, vaguely Indian - square crankcase oil pump cover, fat pushrod tubes, kickstart through the chain guard, lumpy 1950 on primary cover.
Notably a 60 or 90 degree vee instead of the usual Indian 42 or Harley 45, so if it ran, instead of the desirable “potato-potato-potato” noise, it'd make a Ducati desmo like “Blaaaat”
As pointed out, no rear exhaust. Or gear shifter, distributor..

The horn like things remind me of something.. can't place it. I think they're supposed to be ram air or velocity stacks..

Someone had fun, & spent some time making it.

Edit:clarity

Kamkami

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#1317854 5-Jun-2015 12:11

Sidestep: I saw something very similar once, sitting on a guy's shelf. He'd built it – while in jail - from memory, an amalgam of the classic bikes he liked with whatever bits he could get hold of in metal shop.

Your one's based on a classic '40-50ish Indian, with the unusual rear pot suspension, divided front frame.

Likely 1946-49 Chief 'cause the springer “girder” style front end – which was used on a lot of early bikes, British & American - has one piece forks.
It's sitting up too high on it's springs like it's lifted, & missing the lower link. Fuel & oil tanks are sitting too high, over the frame instead of beside it.
The hiway bars, light bar & deep skirt fenders also look Chief-ish right to the rear, in-fender Indian toolbox.

The engine's a take on a sidevalve V twin, vaguely Indian - square crankcase oil pump cover, fat pushrod tubes, kickstart through the chain guard, lumpy 1950 on primary cover.
Notably a 60 or 90 degree vee instead of the usual Indian 42 or Harley 45, so if it ran, instead of the desirable “potato-potato-potato” noise, it'd make a Ducati desmo like “Blaaaat”
As pointed out, no rear exhaust. Or gear shifter, distributor..

The horn like things remind me of something.. can't place it. I think they're supposed to be ram air or velocity stacks..

Someone had fun, & spent some time making it.

Edit:clarity

May I ask his name?

Sidestep

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#1317867 5-Jun-2015 12:26

Kamkami:

May I ask his name?

It was in the US several years back - I used to have a business there buying & exporting classic cars & bikes.

This isn't the same model, just mentioning it's a similar style.

Folks called him "Rusty" (he worked in a classic car wrecking yard) I'll PM you his details...

Bung

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#1317932 5-Jun-2015 14:41

Sidestep: Someone had fun, & spent some time making it.

Edit:clarity

Or it is quickly assembled from odds and ends without any real intention to be accurate. The sort of thing garden centers sell.

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