Frame No: 70R5

Engine No: 70R5

This 1915 Pope Model R Twin was purchased as a restoration project from the beloved collector and enthusiast Alain de Cadenet in 2017. At the time of acquisition, as documented by photos on hand, this rare Pope was roughly 98% complete and the perfect candidate for high quality restoration.

Upon disassembly, and removal of the old paint, it became apparent that the frame and engine numbers were matching - 70R5 - making it the 70th 1915 Model R built. Photos of the engine and frame number can be seen in the gallery, as well as the pre-restoration photo. Already a rare bike, this Pope is made all the more special by it’s numbers-matching status as most bikes are simply identified by their engine number with an indeterminate frame number.

During the restoration, the engine mechanicals were disassembled, repaired, replaced – including clutch, springs, brakes, chain, etc. - and rebuilt by the well-regarded Tom Holthaus. All parts were nickel plated as original. All paint removed, primed, and repainted including the correct hand painted stripes and details. Notably, all color was matched via spectrometer to an original paint Pope located in San Luis Obispo that was undergoing careful restoration by Steve Huntzinger motorcycle restorations. The paintwork was completed by Robert Hancock, Paso Robles. 

The restoration of the Pope was completed at a cost of some $45,000. And the effort to do so properly is highlighted by the approach to replacing the handful of missing pieces. For example, the accelerator/advance actuator assembly and arms were sourced from other original bikes, carefully measured, scanned and reproduced. At the time, the number of original Popes that could be located throughout the country was less than 7, as most were basket cases and not correct. Furthermore, the carburetor that also came with the bike was removed in favor of the original type Schebler.

All invoices for work completed come with the bike along with restoration photos. That documentation can be supplied to interested parties upon request, as well as a running video of this motorcycle.

One would be hard-pressed to find a better, more correct Pope Twin on the market today, let alone one with confirmed matching frame and engine numbers. This represents a highly unusual opportunity to acquire one of the finest antique American motorcycles worthy of any collection.