Oldtimers

FN 1914 “Type 700” 748 cc four cylinder T-head side valve frame # 70452 engine # 1274 At the Paris Salon at the end of 1914 a completely redesigned FN-4 is presented. Both engine and frame are totally new. The longer and sturdier frame now accommodates a 748 cc power source, with bore x stroke dimensions of 52 x 88 mm. The atmospheric intake system has been abandoned and the engine now has a full side valve layout, with valves on opposite sides of the cylinder, the so-called T-head configuration ...

Mondial 1962 “Nova” 123cc OHV frame & engine # 3926 Few marques have achieved so fine a competition record in so short a time as FB Mondial. FB Mondial was founded in the aftermath of WW2 by the Boselli family, whose first venture into powered transport had been with the FB (Fratelli Boselli) three-wheeled delivery van in the 1930s. The name ‘Mondial’ first appeared on a motorcycle in 1948, when the Boselli brothers introduced a revolutionary double-overhead-camshaft 125cc racer. Mondial’s minia ...

Martinsyde 1921 6 HP 678 cc exhaust-over-inlet V-twin frame # NO933 engine # H933 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 Maybury Hill in Woking. Faced with a sharp downturn in demand for its products, the firm turned to motorcycle production after the war’s end, having acquired t ...

Norton 1957 Model 40 “International” 348cc OHC frame # 1174901 engine # 1676 gearbox # G102A4239 One of the most charismatic model names in motorcycling history, ‘International’ was first used by Norton for its top-of-the-range sports roadster in 1932. The Inter’s Arthur Carroll-designed overhead-camshaft engine had been developed in the works racers for the preceding two years, and although it retained the classic 79x100mm bore/stroke dimensions and shaft-and-bevels cam drive of the existing CS ...

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 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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

Automoto 1902ca Tricycle 398ca cc AIV single engine # SF656 Automoto was one of the pioneer French makes: at the end of the 19th century a group of bicycle parts manufacturers in St. Etienne merged into one company that got the name Automoto. Soon production of complete cycles, motorised tricycles and automobiles was taken up, next to various other products such as washing machines, hunting weapons and sundry agricultural machinery. During the 1914-1918 war the company focussed on munitions manu ...

BMW 1928 R63 734cc OHV transverse twin frame # 21327 engine # 75357 In 1928 BMW presented two new 500s, the side valve R52 and the overhead valve R57. The company also provided engines in the 750 cc class with the same cycle parts: the 745 cc side valve model R 62 with bore x stroke of 78 mm and the 734cc ohv R 63 with bore x stroke of 83×68 mm. The R63 was with its 24 hp a spirited performer on the road but it was also raced by the works alongside its 500 cc stablemates. Like the latter, it pio ...

Moto-Rêve 1910ca “Model A” 1¾ HP 248 cc automatic inlet valve single frame # 76293 engine # 20087 The Moto-Rêve (“motorcycle-dream“) was made in Geneva, Switzerland, and had many features in common with its main competitor in that city, Motosacoche. The first model was presented to the public in May 1906. A finely engineered little twin, that within a few yearsbecame well known in many European countries. Around 1909 the twin was supplemented with a 1 ¾ HP single with bore x stroke of 61 x 85 mm ...

Zenith 1914 “Gradua” 3 ½ HP 494 cc JAP side valve singe frame # 2957 engine # 14547 Zenith machines were manufactured from 1904 till 1950, in a variety of factories in or around London. From the early days proprietary engines were used, such as Fafnir, Green-Precision, JAP, Bradshaw and Villiers. The latter engines were used in most models from the thirties. In pre- WW1 days Zenith machines gained many successes; driving force was chief Engineer Freddy Barnes, who was responsible for the famous ...

James 1915 “ No. 6” 4¼ HP 598cc side valve combination frame # D6834 engine # 4727 The James Cycle Company became a public company in 1897. Then Harold James, the founder of the company, quietly retired from the scene. When the first James motorcycle was marketed in 1902, Harold had already passed away. The veteran James models were merely strengthened bicycles with Derby and Minerva engines. Later on FN engines were used. The firm prospered and already in 1912 countershaft gears were offered on ...

Fusi 1937ca “M 250 Sport ” 248 cc OHC Face Cam racing model frame # 39110 engine# 3812 C.F.S. 68×68 The firm of CF (designers Catellia and Fiorani) had started building powerful little 173 cc and 248 cc face cam OHC singles in 1928. They were very successful in racing. In 1937 the CF factory was taken over by the Fusi firm, which were the Italian FN importers. Next to the racing types with face cam engine, Fusi produced machines with J.A.P. engines that were built in Italy under licence. Fusi us ...

FN 1912 498cc AIV four cylinder frame # 37593 engine# 1365 To many enthusiasts the FN four has always been one of the most appealing machines of veteran and vintage times. Its production runs from 1905 till 1926. The earliest type has a 362 cc engine with atmospheric overhead inlet valves and side exhaust valves. It’s single geared, has shaft drive and the top speed is about 60 km/hour. The FN four is an immediate success and finds customers all over the world; FN sells their machines in more th ...

Triumph 1923 499 cc OHV four valve “ Ricardo” frame # 330308 engine 91188 PRI Triumph decided to enter the 1921 TT with an overhead valve model and Ricardo and Co. Ltd. were given the order to develop a four valve racing engine. That is to say, the engine bottom half to be used was essentially that of the side valve model SD and many cycle parts were SD too, so only cylinder and head were to be designed newly. The four valves were not arranged radially but were set two by two and the heads were ...

Clément 1903 Autocyclette 1¾ hp Model B 142 cc OHV engine # LM465 Adolphe Clément, born in 1855, becomes an orphan at an early age. He’s very interested in things mechanical and, as an apprentice at the village blacksmith’s, manages to build a simple bicycle out of wood for his own use. When he’s 17 he leaves his village on this bicycle to seek his fortune in other parts of France. In 1876 he starts to take part in cycle races and sets up a small cycle manufacture. He decides to move to Paris an ...

Excelsior 1913 “Model 7C“ single speed 974 cc IOE V-twin engine # 42814 The Excelsior Supply Company of Chicago starts producing motorcycles with its own single cylinder engine in 1908. In 1911 the firm becomes part of Ignaz Schwinn’s bicycle empire. The 1913 brochure introduces the new models with confidence: “ In presenting the 1913 Excelsior Auto-Cycle we have purposely condensed its features into these few pages. All mention of the innumerable Excelsior triumphs is omitted, for the speed and ...