Barn, Well, Old Shed Find.

[The Van Cave]

This old motorbike frame is sitting in a shed down towards the bottom of my garden. I came across it a few years ago when we first moved in, but we don't use the shed it's in so it has never really been in my way. I don't know what made me think of it this morning, but I thought I would put a photo of it on here and see if anyone might want it, or know someone who might.

I have no idea at all about it, I've never been into motorbikes and to be honest, it looks like junk to me, but perhaps someone has a use for it?

Wasn't sure if I should put it in the for sale section as it's not T6 related and it's probably worth more as scrap! Hence why it's in the pub instead.

 

[Skyliner33]

I or if not me then one of my friends might be interested.

 

[Pete C]

Any markings at all ?
Pete

 

[The Van Cave]

Any markings at all ?
Pete

I can't remember to be honest. That photo was taken a while ago, but I can pull it out the shed tomorrow afternoon and have a look/post some photos of anything I find.

 

[The Van Cave]

I or if not me then one of my friends might be interested.

Are you going to C&M Feb meet? If I still have it then I could always bring it along with me for anyone who's going to that meet to have a look at it.

 

[Skyliner33]

Are you going to C&M Feb meet? If I still have it then I could always bring it along with me for anyone who's going to that meet to have a look at it.

Yes I am intending to go to the C&M Feb meet.

 

[Teesix]

BSA Bantam?

 

[The Van Cave]

Got down to the shed today and found a small plate riveted to the head tube of the frame.



There’s also this rubber part attached to one side of the fuel tank.

I’m not sure if the tank is original, the seat certainly isn’t. It looks like various odd bits thrown onto a frame to keep it running before it was left to die.

Looks like it may have been running 2 stroke based on the filler cap instructions?



Elsewhere in the shed is what looks like what might once have been an engine, but no idea if it’s related to the bike or not!

 

[Pete C]

Well there was an Excelsior motorbike company (according to Wikipedia).

Pete

 

[The Van Cave]

From what I hear they fetch serious money, regardless of age or condition!

 

[Montecha]

It has me puzzled!

I don't think its an Excelsior as the engine plates are wrong, searching on the K7 from the frame number finds this bike. Which is the same frame.

A JAMES CAPTAIN 198cc VILLIERS ENGINED MOTORCYCLE (MODEL K7?) DISMANTLED BUT PRINCIPALLY COMPLETE

However, I think that this has been wrongly identified by the auction house! As James used Villers engines and the engine plates are wrong for a Villiers, it's not a Bantam, Cub, C15, TR5.....

A proper mystery!

 

[Skyliner33]

Is that frame number the only identification? Isn’t there any markings on the engine at all? That would be really unusual.

 

[Skyliner33]

From what I hear they fetch serious money, regardless of age or condition!

Excelsiors don’t fetch serious money.

 

[Montecha]

OK - so going to take back my comment about it not being a James, I think you have a James Captain!

James Captain 197cc 1958 For Sale | Car And Classic

 

[sparkzer]

i don't think the engine matches the bike!...its a villiers engine, used in many peices of equipment from cement mixers, water pumps, lawn mowers etc. i found about 10 of them in a similar find when i moved in to my house in the work shop. i also have a pile of lister diesel engines....my plan was to refurbish and sell when time permits, perhaps keeping one of each for myself

 

[The Van Cave]

i don't think the engine matches the bike!...its a villiers engine, used in many peices of equipment from cement mixers, water pumps, lawn mowers etc. i found about 10 of them in a similar find when i moved in to my house in the work shop. i also have a pile of lister diesel engines....my plan was to refurbish and sell when time permits, perhaps keeping one of each for myself

the bike looks like a mis-mash of a few bikes to me...perhaps someone used it as a field bike for a bit of fun back in the day?

This seems quite likely to me, there were a few bits of that type of machinery here too, but they were mostly complete. They all looked to have been bastardised at some point though and were likely kept running with all sorts of bits and pieces.

It may be a similar story with the bike.

 

[The Van Cave]

Is that frame number the only identification? Isn’t there any markings on the engine at all? That would be really unusual.

I can have a closer look at the engine on Friday, but I didn’t pay to much attention to it today, there may be some identification.

 

[The Van Cave]

Excelsiors don’t fetch serious money.

I wasn’t really being serious there fella, I don’t think it’s worth much at all to be honest!

 

[Skyliner33]

I wasn’t really being serious there fella, I don’t think it’s worth much at all to be honest!

Haha. Ok. Btw if it says Brough on the engine I will take it off your hands lol

 

[RagingBean]

Its a 1958 onwards James Captain, (the front motor mount gives it away as a late model) James used Villiers or AMC engines I think yours is a 197cc so should have a Villiers engine.
The tank is incorrect to the bike.
Sorry to shatter any dreams of riches in your shed but an immaculate unrestored Captain worth maybe a little over £2000, Restored £1750 -£2000, in your condition £300 - £500 at a push with a v5
The original front mudguard is the most valuable bit as they can be hard to come by, so if that's lurking in your shed £150ish depending on condition

*Edit. I source/restore classic bikes for a living. I have provided private sale estimate prices.