I am not a bike guy but I know a piece of beauty. Uncovered these at a barn. Anyone tell me what I am looking at?
Gidday mate and welcome. I’m no expert on those beauties but I’d have a guess at VSV 841 being a speed twin, think they were 500cc. Actually having had a closer look at the last pic there could be a pair of them. Care to spill the beans some more, are they now yours and what plans have you got for them, looks like the silver one at least is in very good order.
Straight up, I have been sort of put in charge of looking after a lady who is the mother of a friend who is hospice bound and her husband of 40 years plus was a perfectionist . His workshop has been untouched since 89 and she just asked if I wanted anything in exchange for daily help . I am not in it for the money. I just started to clear the out buildings and found these along with packages of parts imported from the Uk dated 1984 still wrapped so I assume there are parts for the second one. I can send a few more pics this week. with vin details etc. Definitely a seat for the one with no tank but don't feel comfortable unwrapping the other stuff until I have some more info. Just not my area . Im a Yorkshireman as well and I like to be straight with people and hope to have the same back. Let me know what you need to know and I will try and give you as much info as I can, They are beautiful bikes. That's all I know. Aesthetically. There are some labels which must have been part of the control to ship them here which may help.
Tax disk confirms that. I tried to find some info online but literally uncovered them today in a locked garage. I agree they are not a typical barn find. Just not my area, I drive a Previa! I assume he imported them before he died and never finished the restoration. They look immaculate. They are not mine. I have been offered them for helping out but I think they might be way more valuable than "if you want there are some old motorcycles in the garage if you want them for cooking and doing hospice runs etc. Already too many arseholes in the world so came to you guys to see if they are worth completing, auctioning? I am out of my league She has bills stacking up and don't.
Holy moly. Any suggestions about who I should contact? Auction house or private sale. I will let her know tomorrow and see if she has documents to go with them and ask if I can unwrap the parts packages and give you a better idea of what there is to complete the second one.
Halftone is making sense here, if the guy was that meticulous the reg documents should be around, filed I should think. They look in good nick and an auction valuation would be the best way to go. Putting a price on them is difficult as in auctions it all depends on how desperate someone is to possess them but I’d be surprised if you got less than £11000 for the pair. Good on you for being a straight up guy!!
Have a look at the engine numbers - top of crankcase on the left side under the barrels. If it begins with 6T, it is a 650cc Thunderbird (I think that is the most likely model) or 5T will most likely be a 500cc Speed Twin. Not too easy to tell apart. Probably both late 50's models - pre-unit engines (which they both are) were replaced with unit construction (engine and gearbox combined) engines that have 5TA (certainly) and 6TA (probably) prefixes. I had a 1960 5TA Speed Twin in 1968(ish) when I were a lad! Excellent find though!! EDIT:- I think (I'm sure) that the model 6TA does not exist. Most likely to be T110 - or not. Bonnevilles became T120s so T110 would be correct for a Thunderbird. SILLY ME! Note to self ..... check yer facts before typing, yer daft old bugger!!
Is this guy from NZ did he say? If so anywhere close to Auckland? I can recommend a chap Ray pratt owner of auckland harley franchise based in mt eden. He sterted on british bikes 1000 yrs ago and is a genuine helpful bloke. Best of luck just beware of the over eager type.
Both these bikes are actually Tiger 100s. For info when machines left Meriden and where they were despatched to and a valuation contact [email protected]
These bikes are both Tiger 100. 500cc. For info when these were built and left Meriden Factory and where they were despatched to contact [email protected] Also contact for valuation.
Looks like a circa 1958 tiger 500cc because the barrel looks a bit smaller than the 650cc engine, but if it is a 650cc then it could be a Thunderbird, a weel loved and sought after model.
Ok they’re both t100s C10174 is 1957 83592 is 1956 The wagon wheel refers to the fact they have ramp cams although it says it was only the 6T and later T110’s that had these. Not quite sure what the C is on that as, according to my book, these letter prefixes didn’t start until the unit models. But the C could mean it was made in March of that year.
Thanks fella. You seem to know your stuff! I am going to spend this evening reading up on them just to learn a bit more. I appreciate the help