Who knows their vintage motor bikes?

[Bundalene]

We were at a scrap metal dealer at Temora on Tuesday when we came across this:











Vintage bikes are not my strong point, but the dealer claimes they are worth in excess of $100k


Just thought I would share this pic




Erich

[B92 8NW]

Brian Hjelm will know, but I suspect the dealer is a little optimistic.

[stealth]

Looks like he on the way to, or returned home from a swap meet.

[CraigE]

Looks like an Indian and a Thor? Or maybe a pair of Thor's. If it is it is a big find. If it is it is worth money but not $100k, especially in that condition, even full restored very few bikes achieve that sort of money. In that condition maybe $10k to someone who is after this specific bike if it is in fact a rare one. May also be a relatively common one.
http://www.motorcyclepediamuseum.org...egory/161-thor
If you read this you can see the relation to Indian. Apparently they made the first Indian engines. These bikes generally were sold as kits by Aurora appliance company.

http://www.motosolvang.com/bike_pages/1918_Thor.htm

http://thevintagent.blogspot.com.au/...unearthed.html

Addition Value fully restored seems to be around $30,000 - $35,000 in the US, so maybe fully restored the pair would be getting up there but still not $100,000. But who knows right collector with a lot of cash. The rare Vincent HRDs are the only mass produced bikes I have seen commanding this sort of price.

[Bundalene]

Yes, he said he went to Bendigo, that was last weekend



Erich

[Bigbjorn]

Nothing like $100K. Maybe $20K upward immaculately restored and correct in every aspect depending on the rarity of the model. Probably $5k each as is depending on how complete they are.

[CraigE]

Have added some links.
Brian do they look like Thors to you?
Have not seen to many of these around.
I think a relative of my wifes who has a large collection has one of the Thors in his garage not sure what year but may be around 1913.

The value I could find at Auction was US with one going for $30k and another for $32k but fully restored bikes with history. Not sure heat they are worth here.

[Bigbjorn]

Well one has Thor on the tank. Veterans are a bit of an acquired taste. They are rarely a good ride, not mixing well with modern traffic. Difficult to ride too, many of them, with too many and awkward controls. Usually very poor brakes by anyone's standard. Remember, when they were new there was no such thing as traffic lights, stop signs and so on. Get it going and keep going until you came to a railroad crossing or a ferry. Most of the veteran collectors I deal with rarely if ever ride them. Their hobby is in the restoration.

[UncleHo]

If it is an Indian it would be around 27-29 Chief and from memory the Thor was taken over/merged with Indian,the redskin should have Left hand Throttle and Right hand advance/retard,exact opposite to Harley Davidson