Dodgy Frame

[cus]

I've been chasing a frame for quite some time, a few have popped up, all the wrong year.
I'm after a '63. On ebay I found this guy that was a bit excited about having a RGS frame
& bottom end, but when I asked for the frame number he said it was missing, which means
as you all know, it could be anything, didn't have the lower lugs anyway. My question is,
if you acquire one of these frames without a number, what is the proper thing to do,
can it legally be re-stamped?

regards, Cus

[trevinoz]

Cus,
            Ask the RTA here in NSW.
As far as I know, you cannot legally stamp a frame here unless the numbers have been issued by the authorities.
Having said that, if you have the original number, what they don't know wont hurt them.
Trev.

[manosound]

Cus,

I saw the same one and, now, I suppose some of the comments there were yours. What I did not read were any directions to him pointing him at the headstock. Maybe it's obvious or maybe he is reading this. In any case, if the numbers have been ground off, then there should be grinding marks, bondo or brazing material revealing the deed. I recall seeing a hole for the brake pivot where pillion loop meets frame. I think that means its  an RGS, else it would have to be '55 (I believe).

Richard L.

[cus]

G'day Richard,
No those comments were'nt mine.
I have include a pic of the frame, see what you think.

regards, Cus

[manosound]

Cus,

I just attached a couple of comments to your photo. I'm glad to know it wasn't you with the nearly unintelligible comments. As for the two0hole tab on the pillion loop, my book shows that on the early swingarm frame, but I'm not 100% what it's for. I've guessed the stoplight switch, but someone else will set me straight. I wonder if the grinding shown in this photo was the owner looking for the number.  We may as well give the benefit of the doubt.

Richard L.

[bsa- bill]

Later frames (my 61 flash) had frame number on fillet over down tube, I would suggest the fact he's ground off this as well as the headstock could well mean he's looking for the number, OTOH maybe to camouflage a ground off number?, if the bike had a frame replaced there may well not be a number (legally in UK)
The hole on the rear of the pillion rest loop looks like an addition by someone, maybe to hang a silencer, but the missing lugs on downtube rule out anything exciting probably.
Depends what your after - originality or just a good frame.

All the best - Bill

[cus]

Thanks guys,
I could be wrong, but I thought that wrap-around sheet metal on the headstem
was only on later frames.
Looks like an O.K. frame, from a distance, it would have to be cheap
without the numbers though, also I'd get a big freight bill from the states
to Aust., but it's looking like thats where I'll find one, there a bit thin on the ground
here!

regards, Cus

[MG]

This frame looks exactly like the one of my '55 Shooting Star.
It also has the hole for the brake pivot (at the pillion loops. exactly like the Goldies), and the rectangular plate for the brake light switch (manosound's assumption on that one is correct, it's for a Lucas brake light switch), no lower engine lugs and the sheet metal around the head stock (my '56 frame has that , too).
On both my frames the number is located on the RHS of the headstock though.

[trevinoz]

Definitely a '55 frame.
                                Trev.

[cus]

Thats good to know,
I wouldn't bother with that one then.
I've seen a couple '61 & '60, a '63 will
come along one day???

regards, Cus

[cus]

The other thing I should have noticed is my '61 frame has a steering head lock which has the hole bracket on the headstem,
not sure what year the steering locks started though?
Cus

[MikeN]

Having said all the above, the '55  frame can make a good basis for an RGS replica because its has the correct brake pedal pivot and brake light switch mounting plate and should come a suitable swinging arm for the  "crinkle" rear hub. Although  it takes the wrong centre stand.
Mike

[trevinoz]

Cus,
        Steering locks started in 1955. Looks like it has been cut off the above frame.
                     Trev.

[Big Nick]

just build it and ride it !

[cus]

Yeah,
That's fine if your going to keep the bike indefinately,
but if your going to invest thousands on a restoration
& then sell a bike, I think it's a waste of time mixing
up frame & engine numbers. You only have to look on
ebay at the non-matching bikes, Bonnies etc., they
go for thousands less than they should.
Cus

[Big Nick]

if building bikes for to sell for silly money matching numbers ect you thing is fun that's fine but it's not mine

[manosound]

Regardless of "For Sale", there is something to be said for appreciating and preserving the history of our bikes, and that goes for the partial customs, like mine, as well. If we cared not at all for the history, style and attitude, we might all just as well be riding Suzukis. 

Richard L.

[muskrat]

Very true Richard. Stock or modified our bikes still represent a golden age in motorcycling. I would have to be pretty down on my uppers to ever part with my 2 A's. But I would like to add a new Thruxton to the stable.
 Does anyone have a good picture or a real RGS frame?
Cheers

[cus]

Good on ya Nick,
You've got your opinion, I've got mine,
learning about your opinion doesn't help me much!
This is my hobby & I enjoy working on bikes & restoring
them keeping them as original as poss., & if I there's
extra money at the end for another project, "thats great"

Cus