Joe in Canada 852 Posted May 11, 2018 Share Posted May 11, 2018 (edited) Thanks to Kiser31 it looks to be a Red Bug does anyone have info on them like parts availability. I have never seen one up here so this is new to me. I have seen restored ones advertised with prices all over the map but no parts. Might be a good project for the grandkids 11 & 12 even though it is not a super car like they talk about. Thanks in advance Joe Edited May 11, 2018 by Joe in Canada (see edit history) 3 Link to post Share on other sites
keiser31 5,805 Posted May 11, 2018 Share Posted May 11, 2018 Looks to be. Here is a 1914....George Albright on this forum may want to talk to you about those parts. 2 Link to post Share on other sites
Joe in Canada 852 Posted May 11, 2018 Author Share Posted May 11, 2018 Thanks keiser31 Link to post Share on other sites
FJD 1 Posted May 12, 2018 Share Posted May 12, 2018 Try Jed Rapaport. The carmaven he has numerous Red Bugs and Parts, he also has a few Briggs & Stratton. Fred D Link to post Share on other sites
Craig Gillingham 132 Posted May 12, 2018 Share Posted May 12, 2018 (edited) You can even still download the blueprints: https://www.scribd.com/doc/60156136/smith-flyer-blueprints Edited May 12, 2018 by Craig Gillingham (see edit history) 1 Link to post Share on other sites
George Albright 167 Posted May 12, 2018 Share Posted May 12, 2018 I am an 1903-08 Orient Buckboard expert but know little about Red Bugs. Thanks George Albright. Gnalbright@gmail.com 1 Link to post Share on other sites
CHuDWah 465 Posted May 12, 2018 Share Posted May 12, 2018 20 hours ago, Craig Gillingham said: You can even still download the blueprints: https://www.scribd.com/doc/60156136/smith-flyer-blueprints Is that the same A O Smith that now makes water heaters? Link to post Share on other sites
Craig Gillingham 132 Posted May 13, 2018 Share Posted May 13, 2018 (edited) Quote Is that the same A O Smith that now makes water heaters? I think so, going by this webpage, at the 1914 mark; https://www.aosmithinternational.com/about-us/history/ Edited May 13, 2018 by Craig Gillingham (see edit history) Link to post Share on other sites
George Albright 167 Posted May 13, 2018 Share Posted May 13, 2018 Yes. A O smith started making Car frames for Car builders around 1904 as I remember. George 1 Link to post Share on other sites
George Albright 167 Posted May 13, 2018 Share Posted May 13, 2018 PS I’ll offer 2,500 for the Red Bug parts. Thanks George albright gnalbright@gmail.com Link to post Share on other sites
8E45E 1,241 Posted May 14, 2018 Share Posted May 14, 2018 (edited) Here is an Auto Red Bug and a Briggs & Scrap-Iron! Craig Edited October 14, 2019 by 8E45E (see edit history) 1 Link to post Share on other sites
RAH 38 Posted May 14, 2018 Share Posted May 14, 2018 Joe in Canada and George, It appears you have a Briggs & Stratton motor wheel and the front axle from possibly a Red Bug. As mentioned this concept started in '14 with A.O. Smith. Later in '17 Briggs bought in and later Automotive Standards and Automotive Specialties. Here is a pic of my '27 Auto Red Bug. These used a North East motor like Dodge Brothers but modified by removing the shunt field, third brush and fuse used as a 12V D.C. Motor. For further info regarding parts and progressive sequence of these companies I would suggest getting in contact with Jed Rappaport carmaven@gmail.com Good Luck Rodger "Dodger" Link to post Share on other sites
cahartley 609 Posted May 14, 2018 Share Posted May 14, 2018 16 hours ago, George Albright said: Yes. A O smith started making Car frames for Car builders around 1904 as I remember. George Right you are! Link to post Share on other sites
Joe in Canada 852 Posted May 14, 2018 Author Share Posted May 14, 2018 Link to post Share on other sites
carmaven 10 Posted May 14, 2018 Share Posted May 14, 2018 (edited) Joe Your motor is a 1914 or 1915 Smith Motor Wheel model A. They made 5,000 +/- of these motors. The serial number of your motor is stamped on the block just above the flywheel to the left of the cylinder head. It will be a 4 digit number. You are missing the magneto but otherwise it looks to be reasonably complete. Magnetos are super hard to get but they do turn-up on rare occasion but expect to pay a lot of money. The cylinder head appears to have some broken cooling fins, not a problem if you want to get it running but would require a replacement cylinder head if you want to restore it. The front axle is from a Flyer. Probably from a Smith Flyer but I would need to see the wheels up close to begin to make that determination. In all likelihood, the motor was mounted on this Flyer at one time. Technically a Model A motor does not belong on a Flyer because the Flyer didn't become available until 1917 and was coupled to the then current Model BA motor. But people bought them sans engine and installed the motors they already owned. For some reason, front axles are about the easiest part to find, I think I have a couple in my stockpile. The more interesting parts are the wheels and fenders. Original wheels don't exist because you haven't been able to get tires consistently since before World War II. Coker is supposed to be making a tire that will fit the Flyer and motor wheel and should be available this summer. The front fenders look to be in good condition and they are often sought after parts although I'm working on reproducing them. Ignore the plans for the Flyer on the Internet. Those plans have no measurements and are pretty useless. It is possible to make a Flyer from scratch but it is more complex and costly than you realize. Some parts such as the seats and steering wheel require having access to original parts to duplicate accurately. A fair number of the parts are cast and that requires having originals to work from or a digital file to print them from. I predict in the future, the digital printing files will be on the Internet and everyone can make a Flyer at home. You will never find another two matching wheels so that requires changing over to modern bike rims all the way around. A common modification. By the way, this is in no way called a Red Bug. The Red Bug name was not used officially until around 1924 or 1925. Any questions, just ask or email me directly. I have been collecting these for 40 years since I was 11 years old and have a lot of information. I prefer info@auto-motives.com but the other email is posted above. Edited May 14, 2018 by carmaven (see edit history) Link to post Share on other sites
Kevin M B 0 Posted October 14, 2019 Share Posted October 14, 2019 I am looking for fenders and tires for a Auto Red Bug Kevin Link to post Share on other sites
Trulyvintage 429 Posted October 14, 2019 Share Posted October 14, 2019 (edited) Jim Edited October 14, 2019 by Trulyvintage (see edit history) Link to post Share on other sites
Trulyvintage 429 Posted October 14, 2019 Share Posted October 14, 2019 On 5/10/2018 at 7:37 PM, Joe in Canada said: Thanks to Kiser31 it looks to be a Red Bug does anyone have info on them like parts availability. I have never seen one up here so this is new to me. I have seen restored ones advertised with prices all over the map but no parts. Might be a good project for the grandkids 11 & 12 even though it is not a super car like they talk about. Thanks in advance Joe Joe, I have transported (3) Red Bugs. Here is the first one that I actually used my own money to purchase for someone I didn’t know who had bought it off of Craigslist. At Pick Up: At Drop Off: Your engine is actually quite valuable - if you want contact information about fair market appraisal - send me a PM. I do not buy or sell - I educate myself on vehicles I transport. Jim 1 Link to post Share on other sites
mercer09 1,198 Posted October 19, 2019 Share Posted October 19, 2019 agreed- these are starting to get very pricey....................... Link to post Share on other sites
1937hd45 3,264 Posted October 21, 2019 Share Posted October 21, 2019 You could sell the axle and wheels and buy a period correct bicycle and be on the road quicker. Bob Link to post Share on other sites
Licespray 54 Posted October 21, 2019 Share Posted October 21, 2019 How quick can they go? Neat little vehicles! Link to post Share on other sites
Ivan Lopez Prystajko 0 Posted November 25, 2019 Share Posted November 25, 2019 Hello Guys, Im making a recreation of a Auto Red Bug with a 20s dodge starter. I need same help with the electric system, I dont have the electric system and Iam no sure how it works. Could someone help me? I add some photos of my proyect Link to post Share on other sites
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