Nicholson 250R... yes, NICHOLSON 250R

[manbearpig]

Are they stamped, or scratched? Assuming the steering head is 4130 you’d think making scratches that similar would be pretty hard to do by hand. Do you think they could be from multiple clamping’s in vise jaws? Maybe a stainless steel braided line, or something else that was fastened tightly? I’ve seen lines leave pretty deep marks in aluminum, but not so distinctly. Those marks might be the key to getting some history on your awesome trike.

it looks like there are multiple clusters of chisel marks. all marks form the "H" design, or are an attempt at the "H." these marks were put here intentionally by a human... im 100% confident of that... its just a matter of figuring out why theyre there. now the bike does have a CA VIN tag fastened to the frame near the exhaust mount... im really hoping that the guy at the DMV didnt hack on my frame at the same time the vin tag was installed in accordance with some new BS procedure...

not sure exactly what metal this frame is made out of.. maybe chromoly?

i just cant think of a night of successful racing where you'd mark your bike 3 times... stamp for victory in 1st moto (auto advance to final?) then stamp for victory in final... only 2... or maybe im not familiar enough with the structure of the races back then...


once i get a lil time off in bout a month ill get my butt down to the DMV to run the vin... maybe that'll help...

[manbearpig]

Sweet trike! I am a little jealous. Have you started it up?

yup!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CcgU8Lth4EA

[Chazz of Blades]

One mark for starting, one mark for finishing, and the cross mark for winning?

[JasonB]

sweet find! in for updates of the restore!

[tri-Z ripper]

love reading these stories and for having the eye to save a piece of our history someone else may have sent to the scrap yard! nice save looking forward to seeing it done.

[Vealmonkey]

Hey you, What's the latest? Probably having too much fun with the 500. Find me a nick 250r frame or a nick 200x frame!!! LOL

[Orangecnty250r]

Great find!!!!

[manbearpig]

and so it shall be. manbear and the 250 Pickle. see you at Cahuilla Creek MX in Anza, Ca on April 13th. ill turn 27 on that day and "le Pickle" will be born again

[manbearpig]

Find me a nick 200x frame!!!

straight from the horse's mouth... that doesnt exist

[manbearpig]

heres a lil old school cool...

goin back on the track. rust spots and duct tape seat cover for added speed hah



just a couple small things to finish off. then ill get to ride it for the first time with just under a week before the race

[manbearpig]

info very much appreciated. that was what i was thinking.. hoping that wasnt the case, but makes sense.

HOWEVER

the nicholson 500 also has had a VIN tag added, BUT doesnt have the marks on the neck... and neither does the nicholson 185. the 185 is currently registered, but doesnt have a VIN tag, or a visible VIN. im sure procedures differ between counties and states, and that may explain it. the 500 and 185 were located in my home town, and the 250 was located up north.

[manbearpig]

185 vin tag has probably fallen off. I'm sure it had one at some point. The title and registration paperwork has the assigned vin

[Dave8338]

My guess would be 1-hash for the heat, 1-hash for the feature, and the cross hatch added for a feature win.

A total guess but I've never seen a DMV branded bike of any type, where the new added VIN, was placed with a chisel. I suppose it is possible but number stamps have been around for a long time. In MN, a metal tag was used (on new non factory bikes) and was inscribed with hand written/dented in numbers...

TOO EASY to add another chisel mark and totally change the VIN.

[stroberts22]

Keeping up with the race count on a chromoly frame is very important. When I dirt track raced a ump modified a chromoly chassis would only hold up for a season before it started cracking. I would think this is what the marks are for but really have no idea. imo This is the coolest find to date. It is a for real old school racer and I think it's cool that manbear is keeping it in the survivor state..

[Mr. Clean]

I will not pollute manbearpig's epic 250R thread addressing "your" concerns as it relates to the facts I have provided beyond this last post. Should you desire further discussion do it elsewhere but I have no need for further discussion as the Facts are the Facts.