Did grandpa build the frame as well? Then highly relevant.

Looks like it might be a leg burner? on drive side....exhaust side.

He made things he enjoyed making. He used to hotrod model t roadsters to get 60 mph out of them. If he took a liking to electric bikes you can be sure he'd have made a cool one.

Looks like a foot operated "Aaaarooogaaah" horn on the drive side foot board.

Before the internet and video games this was what was known as a hobby, almost all guys of your grandfather's generation had them involving building things with tools their skills and minds. It's how the bike industry, auto industry and airplane industry all got stated, people with a passion/curiosity for something working on their hobby after their jobs and the kids were in bed.

Wonderful, and make sure you explain this to your kids, get it running .

I am of a generation that builds things as well. My grandfather was born in 1899. I was born in 1956. I do appreciate the work and ingenuity that went into this, my son is a student of mechanics. He is the guy all his friends go to to fix their cars, bikes, hifis and musical instruments. We will take care of it.

Yes he did build the frame, gas tank and several other dodads. He used to do custom body work on model ts. It was usually fairly crude.

More pics
 

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...8fac7c96c.jpeg
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...14eb9a42b.jpeg
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...ce0887e42.jpeg
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...6d4cbd1c0.jpeg
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...7f0146023.jpeg

Great to see you on it!

Missed the exposed rocker arms. Have to tell you a story, we had a Pope motorcycle in the car museum where I volunteer. It had been one of Steve McQueen's bikes and was a jem, very early motorcycle with, side shifter, gas lights, V-twin with exposed rocker arms and long connecting rods all within an inch or so of your right leg. I bet you wore the tightest leathers or jeans you could get on, as having anything on our left getting caught up in the action of the rocker arms would be a .....OMG experience.:innocent: With your inline four not so much.

You'll have fun getting this on the road.

Coolest family heirloom I think I've ever seen!

Thanks. Certainly looks small. 'Cute' is usually not a word that comes to mind when I see an interesting engine, but this is the proverbial exception. :)

Way, way cool. Thank you for posting it!

Not much one can think of to top it! Checks all the boxes


✔Family heirloom~

Handbuilt by your grandfather back when, oozing character, beautiful patina and condition. Its wonderful. As though others could afford to buy a motorbike, others like this fellow would have to build their own, creativity, ingenuity, resourceful. Looks ready and a winner for the local grudge match - way cool.

Thanks for the show and tell!

(Ps: Runs with a magneto? Hand adjustable ignition timer? Also, keep the tappets on the loose clearance to avoid burning the valves and you need to manually lube them. Carry a small oiler. A little sloppy but that's normal and to be expected.)

A guy posts a motorcycle on a bike page and gets nothing but positive comments. Not your average internet group. I like you guys! I am joining the "that's too cool not to share" gang.

Both hand and foot clutch. That's interesting. I can see the foot pedal operating an automotive plate clutch. I'm going to guess that the hand lever tensions the transfer pulleys. That hand clutch makes it practical to bump start. I don't know how the term bump start came about, but that's what the old timers called trotting along side of the bike and dropping the clutch to start the engine. What a wonderful and ambitious project. A real treasure.

I agree! Adding my name to the list of thank yous. Spent several years restoring and riding a '69 motorcycle, fun, but not in this class at all. Great post!

Hey, thanks everybody for looking. My grandfather and father were very cool guys in my book. I only posted this because it had 2 wheels and both guys encouraged bicycling and self sufficiency. My grandfather also restored an english 3 speed with 24" wheels that was one of my first bikes. I was jealous of the kids up the street with schwinns but it sent me down a path of better and cooler bikes. Currently my favs are a bob jackson world tourist and an old falcon.

Lastly, i went through a divorce 3 years ago and contact with my family gas been sparse. Its been a difficult 3 years but things are really looking up.

Now thats enough of my blather.

This is my dad and grandfather in grandpas backyard/garage machine shop.https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...09f13955f7.jpg
Robert harold Miller and maon junea Miller

Your grandpa was Bada$$. Thank you for sharing that.

Outstanding! What a treasure. Thanks for sharing it with us.

Dig the lettering/numbering on the S-W speedometer.

Hey, straighten those valve stems!

Supercool. Thanks for posting. :)

Fantastic. Love the metalwork on the tank as it tapers to the end.

If I'm not mistaken, those are Schwinn heavyweight fenders and rims worked into the build, right?

-Kurt

I couldnt tell u. I think its possible he built the fork, i know he built the frame. I remember him straitening dented fenders on an old 3 speed, so he was comfortable with bike fenders....

I never even noticed till u posted this. My brotherinlaw brought it over like that. He even told me he inflated the tires.