1948 Cushman Scooter – Ted Smith Mechanical Rebuild –

Original Patina – Generator Lights –

Feast your eyes on this incredibly cool 1948 Cushman scooter, coming from the collection of Ted Smith, former President of the Antique Motorcycle Club of America Yankee Chapter and one of the finest vintage motorcycle restoration experts we have ever worked with. 

Ted Let us display this Cushman in the Museum For the last Few Years.

This Cushman was not restored to look brand new — and that was intentional. Ted’s goal was to preserve the original character, patina, and personality while completely rebuilding the machine mechanically so it would be reliable, functional, and ready to enjoy. In Ted’s words, he wanted it “rebuilt, reliable, but ugly” — meaning all the charm, history, and original look remain intact, while the mechanicals have been gone through properly.

Mechanically, this Cushman received a thorough frame-up rebuild. The engine was rebuilt from the crank up, the clutch was rebuilt, and it received a new chain, sprockets, tires, and front wheel. Ted estimates approximately 30 hours of professional labor went into the work. At our shop rate of $150 per hour, that represents $4,500 in labor alone, plus over $1,500 in parts, for a total mechanical investment of over $6,000 if done by our shop. For Ted it was a labor of love.

The scooter runs exactly the way a properly sorted 1948 Cushman should. It has a two-speed gearbox, floorboard clutch release, centrifugal clutch operation, and that classic low-speed around-town charm. Top speed is roughly 15 mph with a good tailwind, making it a perfect swap meet cruiser, campground scooter, display piece, museum bike, or conversation-starting collector machine.

One of the coolest features is the working generator lighting system. You rarely see Cushmans equipped this way, and the lights do work. Flip the generator switch and you have lighting for evening rides around the fairgrounds, swap meet, or back to the truck after dark.

It also has the large rear storage box/tool compartment, complete with documentation, manuals, parts information, and receipts from the rebuild. The fuel tank is clean and in beautiful condition. The original-style front bumper/fender guard gives it that unmistakable postwar Cushman look, and it even wears a polished brass hog ornament on the front — a perfect finishing touch.

After World War II, machines like this were affordable, practical transportation for Americans getting back on their feet. In the late 1940s, many roads were still dirt, and these rugged little Cushmans were ideal for short-distance commuting, errands, and basic transportation. Today, they are beloved collector pieces with a strong following, and mechanically sorted examples like this are getting harder to find.

This is not a shiny over-restored trailer queen. This is a genuine old Cushman with preserved patina, real character, working lights, documentation, and a complete mechanical rebuild by a respected AMCA expert.

Highlights include:

• 1948 Cushman scooter
• Mechanically rebuilt by Ted Smith
• Former AMCA Yankee Chapter President ownership
• Engine rebuilt from the crank up
• Rebuilt clutch
• New chain and sprockets
• New tires
• New front wheel
• Two-speed gearbox
• Centrifugal clutch
• Working generator lights
• Large rear storage/tool compartment
• Documentation, manuals, parts info, and receipts included
• Original patina intentionally preserved
• Over $1,500 in parts
• Approximately 30 hours of expert labor
• Over $6,000 total mechanical rebuild value

This Cushman is ready for its next caretaker. Whether you want a museum display, swap meet cruiser, vintage showpiece, or just one of the coolest old scooters around, this one checks all the boxes.

Call Kenny Jr. at 860-454-7024 with any questions. We can ship this classic directly to your door, fully licensed and insured.

There is only one like this — and Cushmans with this kind of history, documentation, working generator lights, and expert mechanical rebuild do not come around every day.

Call 860-454-7024 ask for Jr M-F 9-5 

WHY SHOULD YOU BUY FROM KAPLAN? WHAT DO YOU GET?

“You are buying from the Kaplan Cycles Family. We are not just another big auction house. We are family-owned and operated and have been buying, servicing, and selling motorcycles since 1975. You will work directly with Ken Jr., Ken Sr., and/or one of the 30+ experts on our team. We provide museum-quality, white-glove concierge service from start to finish. Every motorcycle we sell is inspected, serviced, and supported by our team, and we stand behind it after the sale. You’re not on your own — we back what we build and what we sell.

With over 17,000 units sold and still 100% positive feedback, we are the best stress-free buying experience you can have. From the first call to delivery at your door, we will handle it all — because vintage motorcycles deserve support, and so do you.

With every bike we curate you get:
• museum-level inspection & preservation services
• every machine is professionally evaluated, serviced, & rotisserie detailed
• all critical systems are checked, adjusted, or renewed
• you get professional setup, tuning, and delivery prep
• done by the best experts in the industry — we ride and restore every day
• you get post-sale phone support
• you get white-glove, insured, always-enclosed shipping to your door anywhere in the country

You’re buying from Kaplan Cycles at the New England Motorcycle Museum, one of the largest vintage motorcycle collections in North America. Free museum tours and tickets are included with every bike sold. With every bike you purchase, a portion of the proceeds is used to support, continue, and improve the 501(c)(3) nonprofit New England Motorcycle Museum.

You don’t just win an auction — YOU are creating & helping to preserve motorcycle history, and you become part of our family, a Kaplan Cycles client for life.

We do not take new clients off the street.
We do not service bikes purchased elsewhere.
We only take new exclusive clients who purchase a motorcycle from us.

You get a guided purchase experience with, and from, the experts who care about the bike as much as you do. If there’s a problem, you don’t get ghosted. You call us — you will have our cell phone numbers — we will answer your call on weekends, and we will help make it right.

Auction platforms = listing only. No support. No accountability.

Kaplan Cycles = we stand behind what we sell.

You are buying museum-curated provenance. That means:
• expert evaluation
• documented condition
• professional presentation
• long-term preservation mindset

You’re not just buying a motorcycle — you’re buying a curated piece of motorcycling history.

From the #1 family in this business — Kaplan Cycles & the New England Motorcycle Museum.

Sincerely,

Ken Kaplan Sr.
12/28/2025”

AUCTION TERMS:

All motorcycles & vehicles are sold as-is where-is.

Kaplan Cycles guarantees all motorcycles are as-described. Please read the entire description and watch the entire video before bidding.

A non-refundable deposit is due immediately on purchase. PayPal or Credit Card is accepted for the deposit.

Cash (In-Person), Card (+3% fee), or Wire Transfer are our only accepted forms of final payment.

Full payment must be made within 7 days of auction close.

Your motorcycle must be picked up within 30 days of auction close. 

Exceptions are made only for international buyers OR buyers who have ALREADY made transport arrangements with a third party.

If a motorcycle is purchased and left here for longer than 30 days without written permission from Kaplan Cycles it will be resold. In the case of a re-sale, the owner will be entitled to a refund less storage fees ($25/ day beginning 30 days from auction close) ONLY if the motorcycle was paid in full on-time within the auction terms.

We always describe our motorcycles as accurately as possible.

You are purchasing a classic motorcycle. Even in cases where a bike may be in good running/ operating condition, new problems & idiosyncrasies can arise over-time from sitting or regular use.

If you have an issue with the motorcycle you’ve received, contact us within 24 hours of delivery and before leaving feedback so that we can address your concerns.

It is important you have at least a basic mechanical knowledge before purchasing and operating a classic motorcycle.

Due to our backlog, we cannot perform any additional service work or modifications on your motorcycle after the sale (ie; adding a light kit, different tires, etc.)

We respond quickly between the hours of 9am and 5pm EST, Monday - Friday

For our fastest service please call Ken Kaplan Jr directly at 860-471-0192

We will not charge out-of-state buyers sales tax.
Out of state residents will pay sales tax with their DMV. 

We are not a registering dealership. You will receive only the documents required to register your vehicle in your state.

In our listings, title status is always listed directly below the main description.

In some cases we will sell motorcycles without title or registration. In these cases we guarantee all motorcycles sold are free and clear. We will always provide a route to obtaining title. Generally in these cases, the motorcycle will be sold at a discount to accommodate expenses involved.

Documents are mailed via USPS priority mail with a tracking number. Please allow up to 14 days after payment in full for your documents to be processed and mailed.

Keys will be shipped with the motorcycle.

Warranty:

All Motorcycles sold "as is, where is" and Kaplan Cycles does not warranty any motorcycle sold. No express warranty and/or implied warranty are made by Kaplan Cycles. No statements by us give an implied warranty.

SHIPPING:

SEND US YOUR ZIP FOR A SHIPPING QUOTE!
WE WILL MAKE ALL ARRANGEMENTS!

We have the best shipping contacts in the nation who will provide the FASTEST transport times, have a perfect track record, and are always insured and ENCLOSED! All motorcycles are shipped WHOLE (roll-on, roll-off). We do not offer a pallet or crate service.

International shipping specialist contacts are available! They will assist in ground freight, customs clearance, and ocean freight to your country. International buyers will be required to work directly with our third party shipping contacts.

We strongly recommend you insure your motorcycle at the time of purchase.

PICKUP:

We require a 24 hour notice prior to pick-up. Please call us at 860-454-7024 during office hours Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm EST.

We will provide ramps, a dock for loading, and assistance to load for free.