Johnson Model A Question

[spike]

I was looking through some of Ray Schabers’s photos ad came across one of three 1922 Johnson A motors. #524, #611, #3377. It looked to me that all three motors had bronze transom screws and handles. Did the early A motors all use bronze handles? If so when did they change to the aluminum type. I have a 1924 #7763 that is an unrestored original motor that has aluminum handles. I suppose it is possible that they have been replaced at some point over the last 94 years. I do have a spare pair of bronze ones I could put on if that is what they should be. ❓

[PM T2]

You need to contact the Special Interest Group leader for this category for the best information, especially on the early versions of the Johnson Model A. His name is Bob Zipps and he’s listed in the Antique Outboarder.

Hope this helps.

Best,
PM t2

He's livin' in his own private Idaho..... I hope to go out quietly in my sleep, like my grand-dad did..... and not screaming, like the passengers in his car...

[dan-in-tn]

I have found no way to get in touch with Bob. Anybody got an idea? Talked to two EC members & he doesn’t take phone calls or answer email that I have tried?

Dan in TN

[opposedtwin]

quote PM T2:

You need to contact the Special Interest Group leader for this category for the best information, especially on the early versions of the Johnson Model A. His name is Bob Zipps and he’s listed in the Antique Outboarder.

Hope this helps.

Best,
PM t2

I disagree. Were he to contact the special interest group leader, there would be merely two people who would benefit from the information shared. The question should be asked here on the board where everyone can see it. In my 13 years in this club, there are some special interest group leaders who have never even posted a single post on this site. I know there are some old timers with a ton of information and insight about their special interest motor group, but they don’t use computers or don’t use the site very often. It’s a shame, but that’s the way it is. The SIG leader should be someone who visits these boards frequently enough to see questions about their special interest motors and address them here for all to see and learn from.

My 2 cents.
Scott Braaten

[opposedtwin]

quote Dan in TN:

I have found no way to get in touch with Bob. Anybody got an idea? Talked to two EC members & he doesn’t take phone calls or answer email that I have tried?

Dan in TN

Here’s a good example of the problem with some of the SIG leaders. This one doesn’t even have current contact info posted or simply won’t or can’t respond.

Scott

[lyks2tinkr]

The early A motors had nickel plated steel carry handles, tillers and legs. They switched over not sure exactly when maybe late 22 or in 23 to nickel plated brass
Nickel does not bond directly to steel very well and flakes and the steel rusts.
As far as when they switched to aluminum handles my early 30s OA motors have aluminum tillers. I can check when I get home to see if any of the Johnsons I have from the later 20s have aluminum tllers.

As far as SIG leaders goes. Many of them are older members some of them founding members of this club and may have other life items to deal with.
It’s an instantaneous world but sometimes we have to wait for a response.
I know Bob Zipp personally as a long standing Yankee chapter member.
I do not know what handle he uses on the blue board but on the Green board he goes by the name of Bobby. You could try and PM him there.

[spike]

I have to agree with Scott. As of yet have not received a definitive answer to my question, (still have hope) So when I do it will be shared by all. I have not had any luck in the past with any information from the S.I.G.L. for the Johnson A motors either.

[stanley]

I have two early A models,#1703 and #4762.Both have bronze transom screw handles.I believe sometime around the #5,000 mark,the cast tank was discontinued.Perhaps the changes occurred at the same time.I have received nice replies from Mr.Zipp to snail mail letters.You might try to reach him that way.

[jerry-ahrens]

It may be old fashioned, but drop him a line… thats the way we did it in the old days, before internet. I don’t know Bob personally, but have corresponded with him over the years. He has submitted material to the Outboarder, such as ”Of Historical Interest” since the club began. He may not be a computor savy guy? Just sayin… Don’t throw rocks at him just yet, he’s helped the club long before many of us were born. Respectfully, my 2 cents.

[opposedtwin]

Spike,
I recommend contacting john koranda in Wisconsin. He knows as much if not more than anyone I’ve talked to regarding the A models.
Also, I agree with Jerry’s suggestion to try and give the SIG leader a call on the telephone.

Scott

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