Unidentified and a Gilson, I think.

[Triley41395]

I'm thinking the one with the engine is a Gilson. Anybody have a guess what the other is, I thought that the rounded rear wheel tabs would make it easier to identify but I can't seem to figure it out.

 

[1971_MB1A]

I'm thinking the one with the engine is a Gilson. Anybody have a guess what the other is, I thought that the rounded rear wheel tabs would make it easier to identify but I can't seem to figure it out. View attachment 287545 View attachment 287546 View attachment 287547 View attachment 287548

I can see some blue paint under the black. May of originally been a Wards 525 ?

 

[markus]

Montgomery wards as well, later made/sold By cestad.

 

[Triley41395]

Well I think you're correct. And I think they both might be Montgomery Wards. That's for the info .

 

[chipper]

Be careful

 

[Lizardking]

Be careful

What's behind the warning? Are these Gilson/Ward bikes dangerous or horrible to ride? I like them and been thinking of finding one.

 

[gammatg]

The one with an engine is a wards 424. Hard tail with front suspension. No remote fuel tank. Original yellow paint peeking through.

 

[pomfish]

Thin they were saying Careful because the forks are not bolted to the frame in the pics, front end is just propped up on neck.
As far as color this bike was Yellow, then Blue, then finally shitty black. look at the frame side tube under engine plate to see layers.
Fork tube is twisted to the side at bottom and probably locked up and frozen in rust.
Looks like it lived a hard life and unless it is dirt cheap.......... well, that there is a project my friend.

Your money for sure but I'd be looking for something a little more turn key. The money required to reassemble properly easily outweighs the value of finished product.

YMMV
Good luck with whatever you chose

 

[Triley41395]

Thin they were saying Careful because the forks are not bolted to the frame in the pics, front end is just propped up on neck.
As far as color this bike was Yellow, then Blue, then finally shitty black. look at the frame side tube under engine plate to see layers.
Fork tube is twisted to the side at bottom and probably locked up and frozen in rust.
Looks like it lived a hard life and unless it is dirt cheap.......... well, that there is a project my friend.

Your money for sure but I'd be looking for something a little more turn key. The money required to reassemble properly easily outweighs the value of finished product.

YMMV
Good luck with whatever you chose

You are correct about the forks, neither bike had the forks mounted when I bought them. I'm not sure if the bare frames forks are even original. As for the Gilson frame I do think the original color was yellow but believe it or not the forks are not rusted solid. I took the pictures in the dark so for some reason it really makes the surface rust look bad, they were in a garage and do look better in person. I'll definitely not restore them back to original, just to much money and time. I paid 50 for the frames and figured since I already have engines that if I put around 300 bucks and some parts I already have in them, they'll be riders.

 

[pomfish]

Well Bought for that money!

I have the 525 2 speed version of that bike and it is a nice riding long length minibike.

 

[chipper]

Careful is right , you will spend 3 times what its worth to do anything with it . Save your money for something more worthwhile

 

[Lizardking]

Those will make some great riders as long as the frames are solid. Those Gilsons are some nice looking bikes. I wouldn't worry about finding all the original parts and just build them as riders and sell to fund other projects.

I'd keep the Gilson and build/sell the other. In my neck of the woods 50 bucks might get you the the handle bar forks from the 2nd bike! Good buy for the money.