Yale 1912 “Model 27” 7 HP 998 cc AIV V-twin engine # 2403 Yale was a foremost player in the first decade of American motorcycling. The make was marketed by the Consolidated Manufacturing Company of Toledo, Ohio. Originally the company made bicycles under the brand names of “Snell” an “Yale”. To make a flying start in motorcycle production the California Motorcycle Company was bought in 1903 and for its first five years the motorcycle was sold as the Yale-California. In 1909 the big single grew t ...
Harley-Davidson 1932 “Model R” 742 cc side valve V-twin frame & engine # 32R1205 The company introduced the side valve concept for the V-twins for the 1929 model year when the 742cc model D was presented. A year later the F head big twin was replaced by the side valve 121cc model V. The model D was sometimes referred to as the “three cylinder Harley“, because of the remarkable vertical position of the dynamo. For the 1932 model year a redesigned 750 was marketed as the Model R. It differed in ma ...
Harley-Davidson 1942 “WLA” 750cc side valve V-twin frame & engine # 42WLA51423 Harley-Davidson began producing the WLA in small numbers in 1940, as part of a general military expansion. The later entry of the United States into World War II saw significantly increased production, with over 90,000 being produced during the war (along with spare parts the equivalent of many more). Harley Davidson would also produce a close WLA variant for the Canadian Army. This model was called the WLC. Productio ...
Gilera 1947ca Saturno 499 cc ohv single frame & engine # 264002 The Gilera Saturno was shown for the first time at the Milan show in 1938, the single unit engine designed by Guiseppe Salmaggi being a departure from the norm of the day; besides having clean lines most components were easily removable without taking the engine out of the frame. The main production ran from 1946 till 1958. In that period only about 6000 Saturnos were produced. Through the years of production four types were availab ...
Sunbeam 1927 4¼ hp “Model 7” 598 cc frame # 43548 engine # 305/20447 By the 1920s the Sunbeam motorcycles made by John Marston Ltd. at their factory complex ‘Sunbeamland’ in Wolverhampton, were generally acknowledged to be the highest quality machines available in Britain. The factory maintained an active and very successful competition department. Top-of-the-range of the 1927 side valve Sunbeams was the 598 cc 4¼ hp Four Speed Model 7 priced at 90 Guineas. In addition, the maker’s No. 1 sidecar ...
Sunbeam 1939 “High Camshaft” Standard model B 25 498 cc OHV frame # 925 engine# B 25 E637 In the mid-thirties Sunbeam parent company ICI (Imperial Chemical Industries) decides to dispose of the hardly profitable cycle and motorcycle side. AMC buys the business in 1937, their main interests being the bicycle dealer network and the well-established famous “Sunbeam” name. Production moves from Wolverhampton to Plumstead. That’s to say, there is so much stock that it’s enough to sustain production i ...
BSA 1925 6 HP Model E 27 770 cc side valve V-twin frame # N 2127 engine # A223 The Model E is BSA’s first V-twin, primarily intended as a sidecar machine. It is introduced in 1920 and remains in production up to 1932. In 1922 a somewhat scaled up version is brought out, the 986 cc model F. From 1932 on the 986 cc model will be BSA’s only V-twin. The 76×85 engine has the cylinders set at a 50 degree angle. The valves are interchangeable, with quickly adjustable tappets. The constant loss lubricat ...
Good unrestored condition The glass has been cracked
Harley-Davidson 1963 FL “Duo-Glide” 1207cc OHV V-twin frame & engine # 63FL7298 The Duo-Glide was so-named because in 1958 Milwaukee’s 1207cc Panhead was equipped with both telescopic front forks and a swingarm rear suspension, the latter’s action controlled by a pair of outsized, chrome-covered shock absorbers. It was a big step forward in comfort for touring riders, who came to revel in the bike’s cushy ‘Glide Ride.’ Many mounted saddlebags and a windshield, and hit the road bound for points u ...
Crescent ca. 1893 “Juno” Gents bicycle Western Wheel Works, makers of Crescent bicycles, started life as the Western Toy Co. Owner Adolph Schoeninger was bankrupted when the Chicago Fire destroyed his toy factory in 1871. But he managed to re-open his business and, by 1889, his toy company had become a bicycle company. By the mid-1890s Western Wheel Works was one of America’s largest cycle manufacturers. ‘The factories of this company contain 25,000 square feet of floor space and employ one thou ...
ILO ca1952 F60H 60cc two stroke cycle motor fitted to contemporary carrier bicycle engine # 43857 In 1911, Heinrich Christiansen starts a machine factory near Hamburg, in the north of Germany. Initially, the company is mainly active in the field of machines and tools for the railways. Christiansen chooses as brand name ILO (also spelled JLO, Esperanto for ”Good Tool”). From the 1920s the focus is mainly on building affordable and reliable two-stroke engines for a wide range of applications. Mope ...
Harley-Davidson 1921 Model “F” 989 cc IOE V-twin frame & engine # 21F3331 1909 marks the appearance of Harley-Davidson’s first v-twin, though it’s not until the adoption of mechanically operated inlet valves in 1911 (replacing the ‘atmospheric’ type inherited from the single) that production really takes off. This ‘F-head’ (inlet-over-exhaust) engine will remain in production for the next 19 years. Year by year the models are further developed and in 1921 a larger-capacity 1212 cc engine becomes ...
Matchless 1966 G15 CSR 745 cc ohv twin frame # 112612 engine # CSR112612 The G-15 CSR is launched at the Earls Court Show in late 1964 and is fitted with all the extras that café racer adepts desire: lots of chrome and polished alloy, low handlebars, swept-back exhausts, matching speedometer and rev counter, fork gaiters, rear set footrests et cetera. The 745 cc twin engine comes from the Norton Atlas and develops 49 bhp@6,400 rpm. The CSR has a top speed of about 170 km/h and weighs some 180 kg ...
Morgan Monotrace 1926 “Torpédo biplace” 499 cc water cooled side valve single chassis # 246 The idea of designing and building a vehicle that would have the benefits of both a car and a motorcycle has been appealing to engineers and manufacturers from the beginning of the 20 th century. The simplicity, economy and manoeuvrability of a motorcycle and the comfort and protection of a car, could that be combined in one vehicle? One of the people who tried to achieve this goal was German engineer Gus ...
Coventry Machinists’ “Swift” Ladies Safety Bicycle ca. 1892 This Swift has been restored in the past but is currently incomplete. Tyres, front brake block and chain are not present. The wheels are 24-inch and the pedals arrear to be the original Coventry machinists’ items. This interesting bicycle comes with wickerwork handlebar-basket, front brake, chainguard and candle front light. The mounting points near the saddle tube and steering column suggest that it can be converted into a gents’ bicyc ...
Gentlemen’s Tricycle ca 1885 frame# 117318 This tricycle is an older restoration in nice condition. It’s fitted with 28-inch wheels with solid rubber tyres, a front brake and a chain guard. The handlebars have bone handgrips and lighting is provided by a “Germania” candle lamp.
Ladies’ Safety Tricycle ca 1885 This Ladies’ Safety Tricycle is unrestored but complete, apart from the tyres. It’s fitted with a Hammock saddle with good leather top, wickerwork basket, sprung front forks, bone handgrips, Cyclight oil lamp and period bicycle bell. Front wheel is 30-inch, rear wheels 32-inch.
Indian 1919 “NE-19 PowerPlus” 998 cc side valve V- twin frame & engine # 83M774 The real landmark year for Indian was 1907 when the company introduced the first of its mighty V-twins, the rear cylinder of the early models continuing to form part of the frame until 1909. In that year the loop frame was adopted and continued development and innovation saw the development of the overhead valve, four-valves-per-cylinder racers in 1911. The hugely popular PowerPlus, a 61 cu.in. (998cc) flathead V-twi ...
Rover 1912 499 cc side valve with Armstrong 3-speed hub gear frame # S32715 engine # 1923 The Rover safety bicycle creates a breakthrough in bicycle design at the end of the 19th century. In November 1903 the company presents its first motorcycle, which is much ahead of its time: a well-designed side valve engine with mechanically operated valves, spray carburettor, strong frame with double front down tubes and excellent finish. It creates a lot of interest and a thousand or so are sold in 1904. ...
Martinsyde 1921 6 HP “ Series D” 678 cc exhaust-over-inlet V-twin frame # NO1080 engine # H1050 The British firm of Martinsyde was founded in 1908 when Helmuth Paul Martin and George Harris Handasyde went into partnership to build aircraft. By the end of WWI Martinsyde was Britain’s third largest aircraft manufacturer, occupying sites at Brooklands and Woking. Faced with a sharp downturn in demand for its products, the firm turned to motorcycle production at the war’s end, having acquired the ri ...