Can you indentify this motorcycle???

gggGary · Nov 4, 2013

Has anyone else looked at the HEAD? Not entirely clear but it looks like a two stroke to me! Or it could be a side valve I guess.

I went through a bunch of NSU pics but it didn't quite fit any of those either.

TwoManyXS1Bs · Nov 4, 2013

It shares many features of '30s british bikes. Everytime I see the tank badge, my other voice says 'Puch', but that's not it.

OMG!! http://cybermotorcycle.com/euro/british.htm

Shakey · Nov 4, 2013

Early 30's Rudge perhaps?

weaselbeak · Nov 4, 2013

TwoManyXS1Bs said:
It shares many features of '30s british bikes. Everytime I see the tank badge, my other voice says 'Puch', but that's not it.

OMG!! http://cybermotorcycle.com/euro/british.htm

Well, that narrows it down, then....... :wtf:

neanderthal · Nov 4, 2013

it has the beef of a 40's bike and a tank to match...id bet on it being from the 40's the front end could be 40's or possibly even thirties. but i have to stick with a 40's title.

azman857 · Nov 4, 2013

I dunno. Carbide headlight in the 30's or 40's? Not (then) new bikes. Tank badge looks "Ariel" to me. Could it be from the late teens to mid 20's?

neanderthal · Nov 4, 2013

azman857 said:
I dunno. Carbide headlight in the 30's or 40's? Not (then) new bikes. Tank badge looks "Ariel" to me. Could it be from the late teens to mid 20's?

no, motorcycles in the teens and mid twenties looked more like bikes then motorcycles. do a good search on it. they were badass motorbikes. like i said late 30's to 40's for the bike itself. the headlight is not period and the girder may or may not be as well. remember people have been building customs for a very long time. and poor people (not saying this dude was poor) worked with what they had.

TwoManyXS1Bs · Nov 4, 2013

jake horton said:
... remember people have been building customs for a very long time. and poor people (not saying this dude was poor) worked with what they had.

A good point. As I was digging thru the various BSA, Ariel, Triumph, ...etc. models, I started wondering if this could be a unique S. African assemblege, using what they could get (war-time and mil-surplus), and rebadge it. The split primary is a good identifier. Also looking at that strange loop/hole just under the steering stem and behind the downtube, perhaps sidecar mount?

hotdog · Nov 4, 2013

Looks like either a bsa or ajs 350 downpipe single.

TwoManyXS1Bs · Nov 4, 2013

Study this for awhile:

http://cybermotorcycle.com/gallery/triumph_1931/Triumph_1931_fr_12.htm

resto · Nov 4, 2013

TwoMany,

I think you nailed it. With the exception of the acetylene headlight, sure looks like the picture. Same front fender mounts, split primary case, right side final chain drive, and even the rear brake torque arm.

Good work!

resto

TwoManyXS1Bs · Nov 4, 2013

Hahaha, what I was looking for was those tiny saddlebags...

neanderthal · Nov 4, 2013

yeah if its not it it's damn close. nice job!

Airwolfie · Nov 5, 2013

Good going guys! And Twomany, I think you nailed it too!

Found this last night.....

Looks almost exactly like the one you posted up bar the little saddlebags.

This one is a 1929 Triumph CSD, very nicely restored.

For what it's worth John, he WAS a poor farmer!! :wink2:

the farmers in south africa struggled a lot, even today, so it was probably build what you got type of scenario........

xjwmx · Nov 5, 2013

I'm amazed at you guys for tracking this down like this. I thought it would be somebody who already knew it recognizing it.

resto · Nov 5, 2013

Got so more info from the antique club member. The CSD model was made to accommodate a sidecar which hangs on the left side of a British bike. To aid with this, the exhaust system and drive chain are on the right. The engine displacement was bumped by 50cc to 549cc to give it some extra power for the extra load.

neanderthal · Nov 5, 2013

Airwolfie said:
Good going guys! And Twomany, I think you nailed it too!

Found this last night.....

Looks almost exactly like the one you posted up bar the little saddlebags.

This one is a 1929 Triumph CSD, very nicely restored.

For what it's worth John, he WAS a poor farmer!!the farmers in south africa struggled a lot, even today, so it was probably build what you got type of scenario........

yeah the triumphs in 29 to 33ish were very similar, they lost the knee pads in the later models. but its hard to tell what the tank looks like exactly with your grandaddy sitting on it like one bmf.

TwoManyXS1Bs · Nov 5, 2013

This was a fun search (he says, while trying to pack the smoke back into his tablet).
Looks like a Triumph model CN (500cc) or CSD (550cc), introduced in 1929.
This is a sharp looking bike, the lines of the tank and frame flow very well.
I'd like to know how the 'oil indicator' worked.

This explains the acetylene cylinder mounted to the downtube:
http://cybermotorcycle.com/gallery/triumph_1929/Triumph_1929-15.htm

Now, is it a model CN or CSD?

1929 & 1930 Triumph CN sales flyers:
http://cybermotorcycle.com/gallery/triumph_1929/Triumph_1929-04.htm
http://cybermotorcycle.com/gallery/triumph_1930/Triumph_1930-07.htm

1929 & 1930 Triumph CSD sales flyers:
http://cybermotorcycle.com/gallery/triumph_1929/Triumph_1929-06.htm
http://cybermotorcycle.com/gallery/triumph_1930/Triumph_1930-05.htm

The only differences I can see are the carburation and battery box (above the clutch)...

neanderthal · Nov 5, 2013

i guess it was an option. check out the tank floating on its own on the right hand side
http://cybermotorcycle.com/gallery/triumph_1930/Triumph_1930-07.htm

Airwolfie · Nov 6, 2013

I also thought it would be someone who has or had one that would chip in, but you guys make for excellent detectives!!! It's a shame it's kind of over now, I really enjoyed this!

Thanks for all the efforts and info guys!! This is WHY I LOVE being on this forum!!!

Can you indentify this motorcycle???

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