old photos

[rwm]

the man on the bike with the prop is alessandro anzani.maker of the first motor to fly across the english channel.on july 25 1909 louis bleriot became the first man to fly across the english channel bleriot was scared to death of his own motor. anzani was aware of that and convinced bleriot yo buy one of his

[jlbrain]

New member here, on a mission to learn as much as possible about the motorcycles in my late grandfather's life. In the interest of full disclosure, I do not own a motorcycle. However, the deeper I get into this project, the more I feel that could change.

When I came across this first photo, I knew I could find an online community that would be able to help me identify the motorcycle. After flipping through some of the 81 pages in "old photos", this appears to be right in your collective wheelhouse.

The young boy in the photo is my grandfather. He was born in 1918. I believe the photo was taken no later than 1920, in Methuen, Massachusetts. The dapper fellow in the back is the owner, my great, great uncle. Wish I had more details.

My grandfather's motorcycle era ended in the late 1940's when he walked away from his totaled ~1946 Indian (____). Still looking for photos of that bike, pre-totaling.

Thank you in advance for any information.

[Barry Brown]

looks like a 1916 to early 20's Harley

[Chris Haynes]

Actually a pre 1920 judging by the short spring fork.

[exeric]

looks like a 1916 to early 20's Harley

I think you could eliminate 1916 based on the starter pedal and rear stand. '16 had the single block pedal and the early rear stand. You can eliminate 1920 because it has the squared off upper cylinder fins around the intake towers. That would leave '17,'18, or '19.

[Scott Parker]

Venice Beach 1910 http://lcweb2.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/...sf=6a25828:@@@

[c.o.]

I think you could eliminate 1916 based on the starter pedal and rear stand. '16 had the single block pedal and the early rear stand. You can eliminate 1920 because it has the squared off upper cylinder fins around the intake towers. That would leave '17,'18, or '19.

I'm just wondering about '19. Did they mount the horn under the headlight or am I pipedreamin'?........

[c.o.]

1936 New Imperial 500cc V twin factory race machine
1898 to 1903 Holden 4 cylinder direct drive motorcycle designed and built by Colonel H.C. Holden .
I think you'll find that this Holden is the one that is held in the National Science Museum's collection in England and is currently stored as part of the reserve collection at Wroughton.

Thanks Tommo! That Holden is quite the interesting machine!

[c.o.]

[c.o.]