The American Motorcycle 1898-1956

1898 Orient-Aster

The Orient-Aster was America's First Production Motorcycle. It was built by the Metz Company in Waltham, Massachusetts.

1901 Thomas Auto-Bi

One-cylinder gasoline engine kits, that were easily installed on a bicycle frame, was one of the major selling points of the Thomas Company. The first prototype was made in 1900 by E.R. Thomas in Buffalo, NY. The company sold frames, engines, bicycle kits and complete Thomas motor bikes.

1901 Indian Single

In 1901 George Hendee, a bicycle racer, and Oscar Hedstrom, a swedish imigrant started the Indian Motocycle Company in Springfield, Massachusettes. Only 3 of the 1901 Single were manufactured. They were simply bicycles with a small single cylinder engine attached to the frame.

1902 California

The motorcycle was invented by R.C. Marks and manufactured by the California Motor Company. The company was formed for the purpose to manufacture the motor bicycle. R.C. Marks and the patent information has been cast into the crankcase of all the California motors.

1903 Harley Davidson

Harley Davidson was started in Milwaukee in 1903 by William Harley and the Davidson Brothers, Arthur and Walter. The first motorcycle was manufactured in a small wood building with only one room. Only 3 motorcycles were produced the first year, and according to motorcycle historians, the first bike was call the Silent Grey Fellow.

1913 Emblem

Located in Angola, New York the Emblem Motorcycle was in production from 1909 to 1925. Emblem motorcycles, were used by the military during World War I. The Emblem bicycles and motorcycles were renowned for their excellent quality and many distinctive features. They were sold throughout the country and popular in foreign countries.

1913 Reading Standard

The 1913 Reading Standard featured the new Twin. Before 1912, Reading offered only Singles. The Twin engine has 61 cubic inches and it is a 45 degree side valve.

1914 Flesher Flyer

In 1914, Louis Flesher, introduced his modern motorcycle in Omaha, Nebraska. A footboard that included a clutch and brake offered easy to operate controls. His pride in his machine was shown by his name on the footboard casting.

1915 Cyclone with Sidecar

Considered one of the most legendary pioneer motorcycles, the Cyclone was manufactured by the Joerns Motor Manufacturing Company of St. Paul. Minnesota. Even though it is not known how may Cyclones were produced, but it is known that not more than a dozen survived the years.

1917 Indian Bicycle

Motorcycle Manufacturers used bicycles to market their motorcycles. The bicycles were designed to look as much like the motorcycle as possible. What looks like a gas tank attached to the frame is actuall the holder for the battery that runs the headlamp.

1921 Neracar

Designed to give people that couldn't afford a car a comfortable vehicle, the Neracar was created by Carl A Neracher, built by the Ner-A-Car Corporation in Syracuse, New York.

1928 Excelsior

By 1928, Excelsior had introduced their 45 cubic inch Super X, and had demostrated race-sustaining speeds of over 107 miles per hour.

1930 Henderson Special KL

On April 29, 1930, Excelsior tried their new Henderson "Special" KL high speed "solo job" on the new smooth highway concrete of St. Charles Road, Illinois. Reaching a top speed of 116 miles per hour, Joe Petrali took the Henderson on two test runs. U.S. Police Departments began using the Henderson as the department's standard motorcycle.

1933 Indian Four

After Indian purchased the manufacturing rights of Ace, where the 4-cylinder machine was refined. Indian released the Indian ace which soon became known as the Indian Four.

1934 Crocker Speedway

Crocker stated in a 1934 catalog: "These machines competed continually at Long Beach, San Diego, Los Angeles, and Santa Ana. In the winter they were sent to Mexico City for a series of eighteen races, where practically every event was won by a Crocker machine. Competition with the imported equipment forced the decision in favour of a newly designed power plant - a type which would have acceleration, the right power output, low cost of maintenance plus a low first cost. A single cylinder type was decided upon."

1939 Crocker

Al Crocker's machines were built with maximum performance in mind. Customers could choose color, chrome, and gear ratio when purchasing one of these heavy duty machines.

1941 Crocker

Al Crocker was so confident with his heavy duty machines and transmissions that could handle higher amounts of torque, that he offered a refund. This refund was for the full purchase price to any buyer who was beaten by a rider on a factory stock Harley or an Indian. Noone ever requested a refund.

1946 Harley Davidson Knucklehead

Considered to be on of the last of the Knuckleheads produced by Harley Davidson, the 1946 had the 61cubic inch v-twin engine. The engine got its name "knucklehead" from the shape of its valve covers.

1956 Simplex Automatic

With over 25 years of production, the basic design of the Simplex changed very little. The Automatic model was introduced in 1953.