Gilson Barn Find

[Trun57]

1 owner Gilson Trail fresh out of a barn in Wisconsin. May just clean up and keep as a survivor.

 

[Skipp]

Let’s see the other side

 

[toomanytoys]

I always liked those bikes.

 

[GustoGuy]

1 owner Gilson Trail fresh out of a barn in Wisconsin. May just clean up and keep as a survivor.
View attachment 281137 View attachment 281137

Nice bike. I used to have a Gilson snowblower. I heard the bikes are built just as good.

 

[Trun57]

Let’s see the other side

 

[RobertC]

Nice survivor find @Trun57 !

Even has the clutch guard.

I vote for cleaning it up, and see what it looks like.

Welcome to the Oldminibikes.com forum also.

Enjoy the site.

 

[Dick DeBuse]

Missing the chrome exhaust, but still a nice find.

 

[Skipp]

They are my favorite!

 

[desert rat]

That is crusty sweet, I would give it a good cleaning and not get carried away. There is a aluminium foil hack for the chrome that works very well. Missing one part not bad. Be careful with the seat so it can be used for a pattern.

 

[cfh]

i spent a lot of time restoring my gilson. and in the end, i sold it. was underwhelmed by it's handling characteristic and just the ride. i had a 6" wheel version too and that one (unrestored) rode crappy also. i should have known the 10" wheel version wouldn't really be better. Me thinks one of the problems is the lack of rake on the front end. If it had a bit more rake, the handling and ride would be a lot better. Adjustable handlebars would be nice too on the Gilson. I used an HS50 engine instead of an H50, which helped (more narrow profile and less weight.) But there's many 10" wheel bikes that ride far better (Speedway, Powerdyne, Gemini, Rupp etc for example) in my opinion.

http://www.pinrepair.com/minibikes/p/allis_chalmers_mine1.jpg
http://www.pinrepair.com/minibikes/p/allis_chalmers_mine2.jpg

 

[GustoGuy]

i spent a lot of time restoring my gilson. and in the end, i sold it. was underwhelmed by it's handling characteristic and just the ride. i had a 6" wheel version too and that one (unrestored) rode crappy also. i should have known the 10" wheel version wouldn't really be better. Me thinks one of the problems is the lack of rake on the front end. If it had a bit more rake, the handling and ride would be a lot better. Adjustable handlebars would be nice too on the Gilson. I used an HS50 engine instead of an H50, which helped (more narrow profile and less weight.) But there's many 10" wheel bikes that ride far better (Speedway, Powerdyne, Gemini, Rupp etc for example) in my opinion.

http://www.pinrepair.com/minibikes/p/allis_chalmers_mine1.jpg
http://www.pinrepair.com/minibikes/p/allis_chalmers_mine2.jpg

True, My Rupp is my best handling bike but I put true hydraulic motorcycle 13 1/2 rear shocks and a Suzuki K10 hydraulic Motorcycle fork in the front so it is much more sophisticated now than the original Betor spring on a tube rear non hydraulic shocks. What I like best about the motorcycle rear shocks is how they smooth out the ride and how solid they are compared to the easily dislocating spring Betor Rupp Shocks. Much better shock for a fast 50+ mph resto-mod Rupp.

 

[joshua. c.]

That bikes a good find, I've been keeping an eye out for a cheep one of the same model as that one in my area for years now but haven't found any yet. (not even an expensive one) seems like there are plenty of the small wheel version in New England but none of the large wheel version like that one. That bike seems to be pretty rare and its amazing that its so complete its a real find.