1947 Cushman Motor Scooter & Sidecar 

 Ted Smith Mechanical Rebuild 

With a Reverse Gear & Generator Lights!

 Museum Quality Fun

Ladies and gentlemen, if you're looking for the most fun you can have on three wheels at 15 miles per hour, feast your eyes on this absolutely charming 1947 Cushman Scooter with Sidecar, mechanically rebuilt by none other than Ted Smith, former President of the Antique Motorcycle Club of America Yankee Chapter and one of the most respected antique motorcycle craftsmen we've ever had the privilege of working with.

Before we go any further, let's make something perfectly clear:

This is not a cosmetic restoration.

Ted's mission was to create a machine that looked like an honest old Cushman while rebuilding virtually every mechanical component to make it reliable, dependable, and ready for decades of enjoyment. He wanted all the character and patina of a vintage survivor combined with the confidence of a professionally rebuilt machine.

The result is exactly what you see here.

This Cushman absolutely purrs like a kitten. If you're wondering why it runs so well, the answer is simple: the engine was completely rebuilt from the crankshaft up. The rebuild included a new cylinder head, brand-new carburetor, new piston and rings, bearings, seals, gaskets, and virtually every wear item throughout the machine.

Ted estimates approximately 40 hours of professional labor were invested in this project, along with roughly $2,000 in parts. At our current shop labor rate of $150 per hour, that's over $6,000 in labor plus $2,000 in parts, representing more than $8,000 invested in the mechanical rebuild alone.

Unlike many antique scooters that spend their lives sitting in collections, this one was built to be enjoyed.

And enjoy it you will.

The sidecar transforms the riding experience. It is stable, easy to ride, and incredibly practical. Throw a cooler in the sidecar. Bring your dog. Bring your swap meet finds. Load it up with snacks and spend the day cruising around a vintage motorcycle event.

Ted says it actually handles best with approximately 40 pounds of weight in the sidecar, making it the perfect place for a cooler full of sandwiches and refreshments for a day at the show.

One of the most desirable features is the addition of a working generator lighting system, something rarely seen on Cushmans. The generator powers the headlight and taillight, allowing you to continue riding after dark whether you're heading back from the swap meet, the coffee shop, or a local parade.

The horn works too—and finding an original Cushman horn that actually functions properly is becoming increasingly difficult.

The sidecar includes a large storage compartment and trunk area, making this one of the most useful vintage scooters you'll ever find.

Cosmetically, Ted intentionally resisted the temptation to over-restore it. The body retains the honest appearance of a vintage machine while the mechanical components have been rebuilt to an extremely high standard. The engine was cleaned and refinished during the rebuild, and much of the sheet metal was repaired or replaced where necessary.

One of the coolest historical details involves the tires. The scooter uses the same style tires originally shared with World War II-era Piper Cub aircraft. These rugged tires were part of the postwar parts-sharing philosophy that helped keep manufacturing costs low and inventory simple during the late 1940s.

The suspension design also tells the story of Cushman evolution. This model features the postwar shock-and-spring front suspension design that followed the earlier single-spring arrangement and preceded the later coil-spring systems.

This scooter spent years on display at the New England Motorcycle Museum and quickly became one of the most photographed and talked-about machines in the building. Visitors constantly asked to sit on it, take pictures with it, and learn more about it.

Why?

Because it makes people smile.

It's impossible not to grin while riding it.

As Ted himself put it, he built this machine for one reason:

Fun.

Features Include:

Whether you're looking for the ultimate swap meet cruiser, a July 4th parade vehicle, a museum-quality collectible, or simply one of the most entertaining vintage machines ever built, this Cushman delivers in every category.

You can spend six figures on a rare antique motorcycle and have half as much fun.

This Cushman starts conversations everywhere it goes, attracts crowds wherever it's parked, and leaves everyone smiling.

Give Kenny Jr. a call at 860-454-7024 with any questions. We can arrange licensed and insured shipping directly to your door anywhere in the country.

There may be other Cushmans for sale.

There is only one Ted Smith rebuilt 1947 Cushman Sidecar Rig like this one.

If you ride this machine and don't smile, you probably don't have a pulse.

God Bless America.

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.