Zenith 680

The Zenith 680 was amongst the most stylish machines of the vintage era and one of the few British v-twins to be designed with solo riding in mind as opposed to lugging a sidecar.

A pity the full machine isn't in this photo but the focus and detail is excellent.

1906 Zenith Bi-Car

For the most part I try and keep the content of this blog original but every so often something comes along that is so special it just has to be shared. Here is one such thing...

This is a 1906 Zenith Bi-Car in remarkable untouched original condition that has just been wheeled out of an Australian garage along with several other stand-out machines. As is often the way it will be coming up for auction soon - at Shannons in Melbourne this November. This Zenith is a sole survivor and was last on the road in 1974. All credits to the author of the post on the Motorcycles 1867-1930 Facebook page - one of the few reasons I can find for not deleting my Facebook account.

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Postscript:

 

The Zenith sold for AUD 100,500, that's currently GBP 57,250, USD 75,650 or EUR 62,250.

The Great Dorset Steam Fair 2018 pt1

The fiftieth anniversary of the Great Dorset Steam fair and it's a big one. 500 steam engines all gathered in one place is quite a sight. It runs through to Monday, make it along this year if you can, otherwise keep a date in your diary for 2019...

As well as steam engines there are all variety of elderly mechanical devices and country crafts on display. Here are a few images from the motorcycle tent and random snaps taken from a wander around the site.

This 1924 Zenith fitted with 350cc 'dog-eared' JAP motor is
one of my favourites in the motorcycle tent.

Binks 'Mousetrap' carb fitted to the 350 Zenith.

And the drive side of the '24 Zenith. The machine was brought
to the event by the Brooklands Museum.

Also from the Brooklands Museum this stunning ohv flat
twin Bradshaw engined Zenith Gradua. For the uninitiated
below I attempt to explain how the Gradua infinitely variable
gear system works with words and pictures.....

The gear ratio is adjusted from this 'coffee grinder'
handle on the petrol tank which turns a horizontal
shaft through a bevel gear.

The horizontal shaft is then connected by chain to
shafts inside the chain stay tube. 

As the shafts in the chain stays turn the rear axle moves
forwards and backwards on a scroll to ensure that the
drive belt tension is kept.

Obviously as the axle moves the wheelbase changes. This does
not seem to have much of an adverse effect on handling.

On the drive side of the bike there is a crank on
chain stay. When the axle moves forwards or back
this causes one rod to be one to be pushed and one
to be pulled.... 

.... which in turn works a scroll which either pushes the engine
drive pulley together or apart. The inside of the pulley is cone
shaped hence pushing it together causes the belt to drive through
a greater radius and raises the gearing. Pulling the drive belt apart
has the opposite effect.
Clear? Perhaps... a very clever system that on the face of it seems
rather complicated but in the days of belt drive and before gearboxes
were perfected it gave real world results. Zenith Graduas were competing
against single speed machines in competition and were dominant.
Such was the success of the Zenith that they were banned from
competition for having an unfair advantage. Zenith used this in their
marketing with the 'barred' logo.

1923 OEC Blackburne 550cc.

Super shiny and immaculate 1923 New Hudson
Popular Tourist model.

1914 BSA.

Foden steam lorries.

Sentinel steam lorry detail.

Sentinel steam lorry.

This Scammel is an absolute beast. Six wheel drive and massive.
It was apparently used as a tender vehicle for a Hungarian oil
field. Despite appearances it is running.

In the 'playground'.

Working hard pulling a trailer loaded with chains up the
hill in the playground.

Zenith Gradua

Yes, the picture is in rather terrible condition but it is of a Zenith Gradua so can be excused...

Zenith Model 500 Club 1928

Swedish flyer for the Zenith 500cc 'Club' model. I can't find reference to this model anywhere, it might just be a special for the Swedish market. The cross brace on the rear triangle of the frame is very unusual and it could be that the frame is from the dirt track / speedway model. Either way, it is a cracking looking bike, maybe there is someone out there can throw more light on to it?

Another Zenith Gradua combo

Not too sure why but photos of Zenith Graduas just seem to keep coming my way. I don't think they were ever a common bike back in the day, maybe it was just that they inspired enthusiastic ownership and proud Zenith riders liked to have their picture taken on board their pride and joys. This particular one is hauling a chair along and dates, I am guessing, from the late veteran era. Zoom in on it and the bike is used and muddy and the gent riding has a fantastic moustache!

c. 1914 Zenith Gradua twin.

Zenith Gradua combo

Photos of a very lovely Zenith Gradua twin and wicker sidecar from the veteran era. The rider apparently the same in each one but the lady passenger different!

addition: Thanks to the anonymous comment dating the bike as 1912 and also naming the sidecar as possibly being a Mills-Fullford. 

Zenith Gradua and Levis Popular

Not a great quality print (and the lop-sidedness is in the developing onto the card rather than my wonky scan!) but a pair of fine machines none-the-less. A Zenith Gradua and a Levis Popular from round about 1919.

Zenith Gradua and Levis Popular.

Zenith Gradua v-twin

Lucky man has one of the finest machines of the day. A JAP engined v-twin Zenith Gradua from (at a guess) 1918 or 1919. Took a while to identify the cycle but the unusual kick start mechanism is very distinctive as is the gradua gear pulley handle on top of the petrol tank.


Zenith Gradua c1918