History Continues.......

Scott, 1905
Now here is an interesting machine! Twin cylinder, two-stroke water cooled, as were all Scotts, it also had a two-speed gearbox. Notice the rocker pedal just above the footrest, this shifted and acted as a clutch for shifting between gears. Scott latter won fame starting in 1910 at the famous Isle of Man TT races by being the first two-stroke winner. In 1911 it gained the title of fastest average speed for the next three years as well as wining in 1912 and 1913.




Deronziere, 1907

This incorporated a single cylinder 282 Cm, single speed belt drive, equipped with front suspension with rigid rear frame. Weight, 45 Kilograms with a top speed of 45 km.h .



Harley Davidson, 1907
1907 HD single, single speed belt drive. Note the hand operated "clutch" that placed tension on the belt thus engaging motor to wheel. This was the year HD incorporated, added additional employees for a total of 18 and expanded the workshop to double its area.



Harley Davidson Model 7, 1911
The factory offered four singles with either 26- or 28-inch wheels (wheels were measured from the outer edge of the tire back then), and either battery or magneto ignition. These were referred to as the Model 7. Single cylinder, single-belt drive, battery ignition, 4.34 HP, 35 c.i., 28-(or 26) inch wheels.



Harley Davidson Model 11J w sidecar, 1915 Model 11J - twin-cylinder, twin-chain drive, generator, 8.68 HP, 60.34 c.i. equipped with sidecar.



Flying Merkel Model V, 1911
50 cubic inch Inlet Over Exhaust V-twin. 6 hp with a top speed of 60 mph. Last year this model was produced in the Pottstown, PA factory.




Indian V-twin, 1914
7 hp Twin, 3speed tank shift, twin 6 volt batteries $325 new. First electric start motorcycle.




Indian Boardracer, 1920
Here we have a typical Board Track Racer from Indian. This is an Indian 8 valve twin. Note that while there is a rear brake, it has been disconnected, as brakes and throttle were not used in board track racing.


Personally I find this one a particular stunner. While it is very similar to other machines of the time, there is something about this machine that just plain grabs me. Perhaps it the way the cylinders seem to merge with the curvature of the frame, or the clean nickel alloy sheen of the machined parts, the subdued color scheme. This is a truly awesome machine, and indeed lives up to the company's claim of "Mechanical Perfection". It did incorporate a rather advanced mechanical design in that it had two crankshafts thus allowing both cylinders to reach top end simultaneously and thereby providing a smooth power stroke to the rear wheel. Specifications: 31 c.i., twin cylinder, chain drive, with pedal start and hand operated three speed gearbox.