RootsChat.Com
Old Photographs, Recognition, Handwriting Deciphering => Free Photo Restoration & Date Old Photographs => Topic started by: Wiggy on Wednesday 19 October 11 06:23 BST (UK)
-
Hello,
Although this photo shows as very poor resolution, it seems to enlarge quite well.
Please would someone who knows about motor bikes give me some indication of the age of this one -
Trying to work out who it might be. Their Clothes might even help! ;) ;) ;)
If anyone feels inclined to cheer it up that would be much appreciated - no colour please. ;)
Sorry if it seems compressed - I had to reduce the size to post it!
Wiggy :)
-
No idea, but it's a fabuolous photo. I saw the house and immediately thought "Australia". I will take a stab at 1915ish. No idea about the date of the bike, but I love it. :)
-
;D ;D not to mention the gum tree! ;D.
It is a good one isn't it! Not quite straight - but then so many aren't!! They aren't going far - the stand is still down on the bike!
Wiggy ;)
-
Good job the stand is down, they're sitting so far back it looks as if they'd be doing wheelies all the time! Can you see the full registration number on the original photo? It might be worth putting a link to this thread on the Deciphering and Recognition thread, doubtless one of our bike experts would be able to identify it.
Heather
-
Hi Wiggy :)
Just prior to or very early WW1 I suspect, with what the young lady is wearing...I didn't notice the stand was down, and was wondering how they managed to stay put while sitting that far back ;D
What a great photo!
Cheers
Prue
-
P.S. What state would this have been taken in, do you think? Might be able to at least get a year for the rego, which is just three numbers...
-
Loathe as I am to disagree with Prue I think this is a bit later at late WW1 or just after.
jim
-
;D ;D not to mention the gum tree! ;D.
Is it? :-\ I've never seen one with bark quite like that and so low branching before. But the leaves do look 'gum like'.
I just noticed the barbed wire atop the fence. :)
-
a try
sylvia
-
The registration plate on the original picture appears to be 139, there is possibly another number or letter prior to this.
-
Quite unusual front suspension, or I would have considered an early Indian or even Harley given the engine being a Vee twin config ( but then again its belt, not chain driven final drive, and the exhaust fabrication is quaint.)
Number plate is 139.
There are two letters on the crankcase (under riders foot) maybe H B.
No insignia on the fuel tank is visible.
-
hey folks - they are sitting that far back because that's where the seat it!!! ;D ;D I think! I can't see one in front of them - though I do agree with Heather - they could be about to do a wonderful Wheelie!
It will be in Tasmania, Prue. Good idea - I'll ask Tas Archives - thank you! :)
Yep, Ruskie - plenty of Gums have bark like that near the bottom of the trunk! ;D
Thanks Sylvia!!
Wiggy :)
-
Ruskie - the trunk also looks like a willow doesn't it - bet its a Euc. though!
Thanks Tom - I'd not noticed the letters under the rider's foot until you pointed them out!
Wiggy ;)
-
The Vee configuration is a very accute angle, much like a 1920 Matchless Silver Arrow, but sadly too much differs.
There are only 3 digits on the plate, it only starts before the '1' - the fence post can clearly be seen between it and the headstock.
-
You are very observant Tom! Thanks for that! Sounds as if you are bit 'bike happy' too - correct? (That's Aussie for you really really like and know about bikes!)
Wiggy :)
-
;) used to dabble.
Actually wondering if that might be a short-lived bike from a range made in OZ (using bought in components, but adding some personalisation?) - not aware of any real manufacturing there though....
-
Jim, I bow to your superior knowledge ;D
Definitely a eucalypt. Not sure about Tassie, but round here (Canberra region) the yellow box has similar bark, and where I grew up (SEQld) ironbarks did too (although they generally had a single tall trunk rather than the spreading base of this one).
-
I'm in Brisbane Prue and am familiar with ironbarks but I've never seen the trunk of one branch so low. Maybe this one is a special Tassie tree - and we know they have (or used to have :'() many special trees in Tassie. ;)
-
Definitely not an Ironbark - but I think Prue was just saying that it is similar to ironbark bark - if you see what I mean. Even some of the trees which have smooth white bark in the branches have bark like this at the base! I'm not skilled enough in Euc. identification to know what it could be! I'll do a hunt now, 'cos you have me interested! - pretty hopeless though with out the flowers fruit and leaves.
-
Yes, I think you're right about Prue's meaning (I misunderstood ;)). I know what you're saying about the rough base of gum trees, but it usually doesn't go that far up the tree. It's a bea-u-tiful tree whatever it is.
Do you know where your lovely newly found photos were taken, and what it's like in the area today?
-
Knowing the area may help ID the tree .... there are loads of different species. :)
I wonder if it's a blue gum? :-\
-
The petrol tank looks to be cylindrical. BSA made a round tank bike [1920s] nothing else looks like BSA though
-
Yes, I think you're right about Prue's meaning (I misunderstood ;)). I know what you're saying about the rough base of gum trees, but it usually doesn't go that far up the tree. It's a bea-u-tiful tree whatever it is.
Do you know where your lovely newly found photos were taken, and what it's like in the area today?
Most likely the Fingal Valley in Tasmania - still very rural but obviously more people living around the place in the towns - definitely not crowded though! Beautiful valley - wouldn't mind living there really!
Re the tree - most Eucs, if damaged/cut low on the trunk will 'coppice and grow from several places - if left they will form several strong trunks- reckon that may have happened, don't you?
-
YT - I don't know anything about bikes - so whatever people tell me about them - - - - - well, I won't have an answer!
I presume some clever clogs could have managed to make the odd bike in Australia - we're an innovative lot ;)
- or it may a bog standard wonderful machine fully imported. :D. This family had enough money to do just that - (not our side, which seemed to find itself in the bankruptcy court more times than is comfortable! There are some good stories being uncovered!! ;) ;))
Wiggy
-
Is it a Flying Merkel circa 1911
http://www.theflyingmerkel.com/site/ORIGINAL%20PHOTOS,41.html
-
Certainly similar - but too many differences to my way of thinking - shape of fuel tank, how the engine is sitting , handlebars etc etc - but the ballpark is round about right - I think this one is later though! No writing on the fuel tank either!
Good find though Tedscout. ;)
Wiggy
-
Yes, I think you're right about Prue's meaning (I misunderstood ;)). I know what you're saying about the rough base of gum trees, but it usually doesn't go that far up the tree. It's a bea-u-tiful tree whatever it is.
Do you know where your lovely newly found photos were taken, and what it's like in the area today?
Most likely the Fingal Valley in Tasmania - still very rural but obviously more people living around the place in the towns - definitely not crowded though! Beautiful valley - wouldn't mind living there really!
Re the tree - most Eucs, if damaged/cut low on the trunk will 'coppice and grow from several places - if left they will form several strong trunks- reckon that may have happened, don't you?
It looks like beautiful country, and being Tassie, a nice climate.
You could be right about the tree having been coppiced - maybe they built the house with the timber. ;)
-
Oil lamp is an early example, the front forks are a swinging arm style, known as "Earles Forks style nowadays"a rear link type,and the engine appears to be equipped with "automatic" inlet valves which opened "using very light springs to hold them sealed" when the piston descended causing suction in the inlet duct to deliver petrol/air mixture into the cylinder head, the exhaust valves are mechanically opened by the pushrod shown in photo which leaves me to believe the bike may be German in origin.
I have a Steyr Daimler Puch motorcycle with similar fork arrangement,so by sendiing your photo to the Vintage Motorcycle Club in the UK i,m sure would get you the date and model.
Allen.
-
Thanks Allen.
I'll see if they have a web address! Done!
Will also find Tasmanian Registration board and query them about it!
Anyhow, it seems I have an approximate date to towards the end of the first war.
Wiggy :)
-
you may enjoy this
sylvia
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=483757&page=352
-
By about 1912, as engine output climbed, even those motorcycle manufacturers which had been using belts switched to chains, or-in a few cases-to shaft drive.
-
Wiggy, just found a 1905 bike with similar front fork profile which looks similar to those in your photo,it is on WWW.vinandvet.co.uk/archive, I knew I had seen this style somewhere.
Peugeot V Twin 1905 is pictured,made in France,although the fuel tank is oblong on this photo,the companies were developing new ideas and designs regularly in those days.
The forks may be a proprietry make and be fitted to many early motorcycles in Europe,here in England many companies only made the frame,then built the machine with bought in parts,and ,called if a so and so.
Allen.
-
Wiggy, some more!! the front fork was invented by Mons, J M M Truffault a Frenchman,and is known as the first shock absorber.. Biachi,Vindec,fitted same forks, an American Edward Hartford became involved in 1899 as well with Truffault, and possibly used same design on US motorcycles.
So it could be an early American built bike,circa 1905 to 1910.
Allen.
-
Thanks Allen,
Thank url didn't work for me - never mind - I can look up images by the other hints you've given - thanks very much! ;)
-
Great horn!
Hibee
-
;D ;D ;D
I hadn't noticed the horn!!! It is a good one isn't it!! :D
-
The forks / suspension are spot on in your link to the 1905 Peugot.
http://www.vinandvet.co.uk/bigger.php?show=images/20110068.jpg
But its not the same bike - the Peugot pictured has supplementary pedal chain drive on the right (pity it has no other pics of the bike 's rhs), and with the other differences etc, its probably not a Peugot engine in Wiggy's pic.
-
Could this be an early J.A.P. engine ?
Apparently they did supply engines to other bike makers.
This site mite be able to help.
http://cybermotorcycle.com/euro/brands/jap.htm
Jim
-
Maybe - maybe - I don't know!! It isn't the same, I know that much, but after that.
I am fascinated in the amount of interest this has drummed up! Thanks for all your ideas folks. Wish I could help - but that's why I put it up - for your assistance! ;)