1908 ??? Thor motor and carb

[Ross]

Hi folks. Thanks to Cory I was able to score this very nice Thor motor and exceptional carburetor. The serial number is shown (when Cory posts for me) You'll notice it is 8.6405 It has a distinct dot after the 8. Am I to assume it is an 08 serial number 6405 Any help or comments are welcome. The nickle on the carb is excellent. It was from a basement where it sat since the 1930's on a shelf.

[c.o.]

I'm glad to see you got your hands on it Ross! It sure is sweet!

















Sorry 'bout the sideways pics.. Photobucket is screwing with me!!!

[Ross]

Thanks Cory. Hopefully someone can start by giving me the correct year.Off to bed as it is after midnight here. I'll check back tomorrow.

[c.o.]

At first I really thought it resembled the engine in Bruce Linsday's bike (1908)....

http://www.flickr.com/photos/carphot...n/photostream/

Then I noticed that the left case looked a little different on your engine Ross...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/carphot...n/photostream/

It has the raised verticle lines similar to this engine... (scroll down the page) http://bringatrailer.com/2011/11/02/...ng-collection/ (advertised as an '08) but this engine looks altogether different.

This one is supposed to be a 1909.... http://www.yesterdays.nl/thor-1909-p-731.html

Maybe it's a late transition 1908???

[EricOlson]

Here's one that just popped up on eBay. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1908-...#ht_500wt_1182 It appears to have an R before the dot instead of a number. Not sure that this is really any help, but it sure is fun to look at more old engines!

[Ross]

Hi Eric, I saw that one on ebay and I too wondered about the R. Cory those pictures of BL's bike are great. Haven't had time to dig into my research files to study Thor engines but I am still hoping a Thor expert will tell the serial number story. Clearly it's a DOT after the 8.

[c.o.]

Eric, I see that the listing has a few possible years. In my estimation it is later that '08.

Ross, I'm gonna dig through some literature tonight... maybe some info will surface.

[c.o.]

I decided to take a spin through the forum to see what showed up and stumbled across this video...
http://www.antiquemotorcycle.org/bbo...ight=1908+Thor
At the 2:05 mark the number shows up. Ya gotta be fast to catch it!!! So here's a still to take the frustration out of nabbing it!!! It looks like an M to me.



Anyway this is supposed to be an '08 but has the later style top end. I think it could be possible Ross that your engine may be older. It's just a hunch and seeing as there isn't anyone speaking up yet I think I'll see if I can round up somebody to weigh in on this!!!! I gotta admit though it's a hoot trying to figure this out!!!

[c.o.]

Ad from 1908... looks about right. Now if we can just get a numbers confirmation!

[Ross]

Cory the fellow I bought it from called it an 1906. But I could tell he wasn't sure. I wasn't going to mention that but maybe that will help in the search to figure out the serial number.