LOT 740
The property of Ewan Cameron c.1931/1932 Excelsior-JAP 500cc Racing Motorcycle Registration no. ED 9064 Frame no. XTT20 and TT1 (see text) Engine no. JORY/H 17953/*
Estimate: £15,000 - £20,000
Lot 740
The property of Ewan Cameron, c.1931/1932 Excelsior-JAP 500cc Racing MotorcycleRegistration no. ED 9064 Frame no. XTT20 and TT1 (see text) Engine no. JORY/H 17953/*
The property of Ewan Cameron
c.1931/1932 Excelsior-JAP 500cc Racing Motorcycle
Registration no. ED 9064
Frame no. XTT20 and TT1 (see text)
Engine no. JORY/H 17953/*
c.1931/1932 Excelsior-JAP 500cc Racing Motorcycle
Registration no. ED 9064
Frame no. XTT20 and TT1 (see text)
Engine no. JORY/H 17953/*
• Works main frame, forks and fuel tank
• Restored by Ewan Cameron
• Of potential historical significance
The potentially historically significant machine offered here has been restored by Ewan Cameron of Cameron Engineering, its basis being a works main frame, forks, and fuel tank (the engine is not original to the frame). The Excelsior had been grass-tracked in the West Country and fitted with swinging-arm rear suspension, necessitating the construction of a new rear frame.
It is likely that this machine played a part in the Excelsior factory racing and development programme, as it comes from the period when rapid changes were being made by the factory's design department to improve handling. To give a brief insight into the frame number: a series of frames was manufactured with the prefix 'TT' preceding the number. Some were destined to be fitted to Tourist Trophy models (TT Replicas) and some also identified 'TT' were similarly stamped for sports models sold to amateur club riders. The additional 'TT1' stamping may have been made for internal identification, or when a set of frame components or lugs was marked for identification in the tool room. Alternatively, it might be for carnet purposes.
This was a time of flux at the Excelsior factory, with journalists stating the works were running standard B14 bikes at the 1932 Isle of Man TT. Occasionally, extra letters (an 'X' in this case) added to a machine's identification by Excelsior denoted out-of-specification experimental modifications made for test purposes, or possibly an experimental racing machine. Unfortunately, it is impossible to determine who may have raced this motorcycle; whether it was ridden by Dodson, Crabtree or another works rider in this period is not known.
The layout and features of this Excelsior are typical of bikes run by the works and it may have been involved in the successes achieved by the Excelsior Motor Company in the years following their first Isle of Man TT victory in 1929. It is well documented that Excelsior's JAP-powered racing machines were very successful, competing on the road circuits of Europe and record breaking at Brooklands. Indeed, the development of the company's JAP-engined racing machines ultimately led to the firm's second TT win with the more technically advanced Mechanical Marvel in 1933. The machine offered is potentially significant, being quite rare in terms of surviving racing Excelsior motorcycles and therefore worthy of careful inspection. Offered with a V5C Registration Certificate.
• Restored by Ewan Cameron
• Of potential historical significance
The potentially historically significant machine offered here has been restored by Ewan Cameron of Cameron Engineering, its basis being a works main frame, forks, and fuel tank (the engine is not original to the frame). The Excelsior had been grass-tracked in the West Country and fitted with swinging-arm rear suspension, necessitating the construction of a new rear frame.
It is likely that this machine played a part in the Excelsior factory racing and development programme, as it comes from the period when rapid changes were being made by the factory's design department to improve handling. To give a brief insight into the frame number: a series of frames was manufactured with the prefix 'TT' preceding the number. Some were destined to be fitted to Tourist Trophy models (TT Replicas) and some also identified 'TT' were similarly stamped for sports models sold to amateur club riders. The additional 'TT1' stamping may have been made for internal identification, or when a set of frame components or lugs was marked for identification in the tool room. Alternatively, it might be for carnet purposes.
This was a time of flux at the Excelsior factory, with journalists stating the works were running standard B14 bikes at the 1932 Isle of Man TT. Occasionally, extra letters (an 'X' in this case) added to a machine's identification by Excelsior denoted out-of-specification experimental modifications made for test purposes, or possibly an experimental racing machine. Unfortunately, it is impossible to determine who may have raced this motorcycle; whether it was ridden by Dodson, Crabtree or another works rider in this period is not known.
The layout and features of this Excelsior are typical of bikes run by the works and it may have been involved in the successes achieved by the Excelsior Motor Company in the years following their first Isle of Man TT victory in 1929. It is well documented that Excelsior's JAP-powered racing machines were very successful, competing on the road circuits of Europe and record breaking at Brooklands. Indeed, the development of the company's JAP-engined racing machines ultimately led to the firm's second TT win with the more technically advanced Mechanical Marvel in 1933. The machine offered is potentially significant, being quite rare in terms of surviving racing Excelsior motorcycles and therefore worthy of careful inspection. Offered with a V5C Registration Certificate.
Saleroom notices
The V5C will be forwarded to the buyer following the sale. Please click the link to view the walkaround video of Lot 740: click here
Additional information
Looking for a similar item?
Our Motorcycles specialists can help you find a similar item at an auction or via a private sale.
Find your local specialistSpecialist section
Auction Viewings
- 2 July 2021, 09:00 - 17:00 BST
- 3 July 2021, 09:00 - 17:00 BST
- 4 July 2021, 09:00 - 17:00 BST
