Old photo

[sels1]

Showed it to a bloke I work with who has restored a few old bikes. He thought it is British, pre 1926, prolly 1918-1924. Apparently after WW1 there were around 60 companies in UK producing bikes like this so without more detail it could be had to identify. As a guess, he said it could be a DOT.

[Riff Raff]

Did a wee search for a 1928 Indian Prince and there's a few differences...

Looks like it might have Indian written on the tank so perhaps it's not far off. Cool looking bikes.

I love seeing old pics like these so keep em coming.

[WRT]

Can anyone identify the bike in this picture of my Dad,believed to have been taken about 1930.note the carbide lighting.

Cant help with the model of the bike, but that's a cool pic. Ignore the hecklers, they are just trying to cover up the fact they dont know their arsehole from their elbow (not that I do either, but at least I can admit it).

You could try asking Ixion or Motu, they are quite good with ID'ing the older models.

Edit: Just had another thought - you can clearly make out the plate, is there any way you can track a plate that old? Was the photo taken in NZ?

[Paul in NZ]

Certainly has the 'look' of a little Indian but in all honesty it's not a great picture and could be one of many similar bikes. As Sels1 said, there were a LOT of small makers knocking out a lot of bikes using other makers engines / forks etc. It's hard to get an idea of the scale of a bike (example pictures) without a rider sitting on it too.

I have attached a piccie of a 1928 Indian Prince (same as Riff Raffs) and I suspect that you are correct as the fork, mudguard (sorry - fenders) and rear carrier details are all similar as well as the chain guard arrangement. It looks like the acetylene generator has been mounted down by the magneto instead of under the seat but thats no biggies as these were often sold as option accessories and extra to the cost of the bike so it is likely it was added locally and not at the factory.

For some reason there are certain years (probably when wool prices were high) that american bikes / cars are very well represented in NZ. My suggestion would be to track down the Indian owners club etc and ask them?

I doubt many survived! Not sure but I seem to remember they were never as highly prized as the V Twins - possibly had 'issues'...

[eliot-ness]

First impression was 1927/28 James 350. lack of front brake is a puzzle though.
Number plate. If it's NZ, was issued 1926/27. If it was registered in the UK it's a Kent plate about the same time. A bit more research might turn something up. Maybe you could check registration history NZ and UK

[Paul in NZ]

First impression was 1927/28 James 350. lack of front brake is a puzzle though.
Number plate. If it's NZ, was issued 1926/27. If it was registered in the UK it's a Kent plate about the same time. A bit more research might turn something up. Maybe you could check registration history NZ and UK

Possibly that was an 'extra' as well?

[sAsLEX]

First impression was 1927/28 James 350. lack of front brake is a puzzle though.
Number plate. If it's NZ, was issued 1926/27. If it was registered in the UK it's a Kent plate about the same time. A bit more research might turn something up. Maybe you could check registration history NZ and UK

Go to the post shop and pay the $2.50 to get the info on the plate lol would something that old be in the system?

[Motu]

Pretty hard to pick,but I don't think it's the Indian - the primary chaincase is too short,also it hasn't got the long bars,they are more like the racers drop bars.I think it's too small to be an American bike,unless it's a racer like a Pea Shooter,I guess it'd be easy to retro some gas lighting,the lack of front brake seems more American or racer too.Despite that,I think it's English....

[Ixion]

Tain't the Indian, doesn't have the left hand kick statrt, that would show clearly in the photo.

I just gotta find the missing toggle off my anorak and I'll be right on it.

[Riff Raff]

Found this website which has listings and some pics of a number of old motorcycle brands http://www.autogallery.org.ru/mota.htm

[Macktheknife]

It looks like an early Triumph roadster, around 1911/12. Quality of pic not good for ID but think it is British or German. The bars look a bit similar to the Excelsior out of GDR but cant be sure, the Triumph didnt have the same chain guard and the tank writing doesnt look quite right.
Best I can do sorry

[T.W.R]

Agree with Ixion it isn't an Indian, no kick lever on the leftside, plus it has handlebar end levers as well.

The primary drive case looks JAP style

possibly a Raleigh, Calthorpe, or maybe an Ardie.

[Paul in NZ]

It's an odd one all right

It's not a 1918 triumph as they were still a true 'flat tanker' then and usually still had belt drive from memory.

[Ixion]

Unless its a bitzer the eyar must be close to 1920. It's chain drive, and appears not to have the flat top tube above the tank. But no front brake.

[thehollowmen]

That numberplate might be the way to go to track it down.. just find out the rego data.

on another note, I've played with the image a bit, and the text on the petrol tank is making me wonder. .. The koru-type pattern is the wrong way up for the indian "I'

The kickstand is up the same way it would be on the 1928 Indian Prince. There is a bulge in the primary drive casing in the same place. EDIT: forget that, that's a sproket!
Note perspective may be skewed a little by the camera lens, so that's why the bike may appear shortened...but the other end of the primary drive casing is wrong.

But then again, the headlight, the horn and the "coke bottle" below the tank are different.