ShawnR Posted March 2, 2014 Report Share Posted March 2, 2014 I found this pic of my dad's bike back when he was young and I am just trying to identify what it might be. I know that he sold it to buy a ring for mom for when they got hitched. (She was knocked up!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J_Copeland Posted March 2, 2014 Report Share Posted March 2, 2014 BSA ? Indian ? Really just guessing ! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShawnR Posted March 2, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 2, 2014 I know it isn't an Indian because I remember him telling me that he had a friend with an Indian that he could never keep up with. Norton maybe, but I couldn't find any that looked exactly like it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gixxus Christ! Posted March 2, 2014 Report Share Posted March 2, 2014 Royal Enfield methinks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Z. Heimer Posted March 2, 2014 Report Share Posted March 2, 2014 Triumph. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShawnR Posted March 2, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 2, 2014 Triumph.Ding, ding, ding!!!!! Winner. There is one at this link that is very similar. It has the little triangle thing on the side of the engine casing and it is about the same shape. http://www.cheffins.com/lot/-252583-vintage-0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Z. Heimer Posted March 2, 2014 Report Share Posted March 2, 2014 Late 1940s I would say because of the headlight. Early 1950s was not just a bucket but kind of streamlined affair. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J_Copeland Posted March 2, 2014 Report Share Posted March 2, 2014 Triumph.Jerry is the man !Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Z. Heimer Posted March 2, 2014 Report Share Posted March 2, 2014 Ding, ding, ding!!!!! Winner. There is one at this link that is very similar. It has the little triangle thing on the side of the engine casing and it is about the same shape. http://www.cheffins.com/lot/-252583-vintage-0The triangle thing you speak of was actually a patent identification plate. I bought a new Bonneville in 1971 while in the service. 1329 dollars out the door. Wife and I had lots of good rides on it. One bike I wish I had back. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShawnR Posted March 2, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 2, 2014 Late 1940s I would say because of the headlight. Early 1950s was not just a bucket but kind of streamlined affair. Now that I know what to look for, I can see that. Pre-war bike seem to all have springer style front ends. 1945 on look to have tube shocks. The only weird things I am finding now are with the handlebars. Most bikes I am seeing (on Google of course) have more of a "drag bar" style where Dad's seem to be turned back. This one is really close. http://www.classic-auctions.com/Auctions/19-04-2012-TheImperialWarMuseum-1316/1945Triumph5TSpeedTwin-34432.aspx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tpoppa Posted March 2, 2014 Report Share Posted March 2, 2014 The bars could be after market. Is it a triumph speed twin? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al Z. Heimer Posted March 2, 2014 Report Share Posted March 2, 2014 The bars,bags and windshield are just custom treatments for the times. Sorta Harley/Indian in appearance. Arlen Ness circa 194? maybe. Late 40s for sure. http://www.motobrit.com/motc2/mphp/brotallpage.php?photo=/motc2/mimages/bro/tri/tri48bro.jpg&title=1948%2520Triumph%2520Brochure Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shadyone Posted March 2, 2014 Report Share Posted March 2, 2014 Triumph for sure. Even the new Bonneville had the tank pad gripper things. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ReconRat Posted March 2, 2014 Report Share Posted March 2, 2014 (edited) The tube forks and the shape of the oil tank lock in the range of years.It appears there were variations in the headlight and headlight braces. Different years or models.Does look like a Triumph Speed Twin 500cc. Somewhere between 1945 and 1955? Edited March 2, 2014 by ReconRat 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryan_c_F Posted March 5, 2014 Report Share Posted March 5, 2014 Yeah I'd say Triumph Speed Twin for sure. Peashooter exhaust is a dead giveaway. It's postwar, because no pre-war bikes came in that color scheme, and the early models were also a solid front suspension. Wikipedia tells me that your dad's is probably a 47-49, because the headlight changed to a weird-looking "nacelle" in 49, and your dad's is a standard headlight instead. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldschoolsdime92 Posted March 5, 2014 Report Share Posted March 5, 2014 It's a triumph- if you could zoom in on the engine case you would see a triumph logo. Back then, the shifter and rear brake were swapped! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tpoppa Posted March 5, 2014 Report Share Posted March 5, 2014 That's actually a pretty good looking motorcycle for it's day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShawnR Posted March 5, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 5, 2014 Thanks guys. I just found the pic in a box and wanted to track down some more info. Almost makes me want to go into getting a vintage bike. Almost... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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