Circulates throughout the world Established 1903

Elusive Zenith

I own one of the elusive post-WWII 750cc V-twins, which is apparently still in fairly original condition. I have had little luck in digging up information on this model, and none in finding any images other than the one you’ve published.

I found my bike in New Zealand in 1996, and that may account for the lack of a speedometer, including any provision for a speedo drive, as I’ve been told that they were not mandated by NZ regulations at the time. I’ve rebuilt the rear stand from bits, fashioned a chainguard from a single cylinder model, recovered the seat, replaced the knee pads and footrest rubbers, added an aftermarket air filter, changed out the handlebars, and fitted a (Rocket 3) steering damper. Armours did a magnificent job of building an exhaust system from a pattern set of pipes I’d made out of (wrong diameter) automotive stock, and a drawing for the silencers. It still needs a horn, compression release cable, battery holder, and a magdyno cover – I recently had the latter fabricated from aluminum, and it needs finishing and fitting.

My Zenith is apparently one of the very last ones made (1950) and is only a few serial numbers ‘older’ than the one in Sammy Miller’s Museum – I checked them personally. The only other one I have seen is the bike in the National Motorcyle Museum in Birmingham. Mine may be one of the very few, if not the only one, in actual use today. I’d love to hear from anyone else with knowledge of this model.

Don Danmeier
Novato, California