Motorcycles

[Subdeacon Joe]

 

 

 

Edited August 31 by Subdeacon Joe

[Subdeacon Joe]

1929 Majestic

This extraordinary French motorcycle from between the wars was spotted by Paul d’Orléans in Bavaria recently. He sums it up perfectly: “The Majestic is the physical embodiment of the Art Deco aesthetic, a streamlined torpedo which suggests Speed and Modernity.”

 

The real innovation is at the front—this is one of the first motorcycles to feature hub-centered steering (as beloved by Bimota of late). And yes, the front also has sliding pillar suspension, similar to that on a Lancia Lambda or early Morgan.

 

D’Orléans was lucky enough to ride this machine, but the styling apparently promises more than the 500 cc Chaise engine can deliver. Still, it’s hard not to be seduced by those swooping lines in light-gauge steel, beautifully accentuated by classic French racing blue paintwork. For that, we could forgive just about anything. [Image by Paul d’Orléans.]

 

[Pat Riot]

On 8/31/2024 at 9:24 AM, Blackwater 53393 said:

You’ve never ridden through Florida during love bug season!!  

No, I haven’t. I can just imagine. 
 

I think the worst for me was a swarm of grass hoppers (I think) in the late spring in Oregon. Yuck!

[Chickasaw Bill SASS #70001]

try a heavy May fly hatch , the road gets covered , it be like riding on ICE 

 

  CB 

[Choctaw Jack]

I drove through a swarm of grasshoppers one time, some of them were 2-2 1/2 inches long.

One hit my forearm and it's back leg lodged itself under my skin.

Their legs have some nasty barbs on them, and I had a hard time getting it out.

Gave me a nasty infection, too

[Subdeacon Joe]

Lamborghini Espada engine.

 

[Subdeacon Joe]

1916 Indian Motorcycle with Sidecar
The 1916 Indian Motorcycle with Sidecar is a remarkable piece of early 20th-century motorcycling history. Indian Motorcycles, one of America's oldest and most iconic motorcycle manufacturers, produced this model during a time when motorcycles were gaining popularity for both civilian and military use.

The 1916 Indian is powered by a powerful V-twin engine, known for its durability and smooth performance. This model features a sidecar, a practical addition that provided extra seating or cargo space, making it a versatile choice for transportation during that era. The sidecar's design is both functional and stylish, complementing the motorcycle's overall aesthetic.

With its deep, rich paintwork, leather saddle, and intricate detailing, the 1916 Indian Motorcycle with Sidecar is more than just a mode of transportation; it’s a testament to the craftsmanship and innovation of its time. This classic motorcycle represents an era of adventure and exploration, capturing the spirit of freedom on the open road. Today, it stands as a prized collectible, admired by enthusiasts and historians alike.

 

[Eyesa Horg]

3 hours ago, Subdeacon Joe said:

1916 Indian Motorcycle with Sidecar
The 1916 Indian Motorcycle with Sidecar is a remarkable piece of early 20th-century motorcycling history. Indian Motorcycles, one of America's oldest and most iconic motorcycle manufacturers, produced this model during a time when motorcycles were gaining popularity for both civilian and military use.

The 1916 Indian is powered by a powerful V-twin engine, known for its durability and smooth performance. This model features a sidecar, a practical addition that provided extra seating or cargo space, making it a versatile choice for transportation during that era. The sidecar's design is both functional and stylish, complementing the motorcycle's overall aesthetic.

With its deep, rich paintwork, leather saddle, and intricate detailing, the 1916 Indian Motorcycle with Sidecar is more than just a mode of transportation; it’s a testament to the craftsmanship and innovation of its time. This classic motorcycle represents an era of adventure and exploration, capturing the spirit of freedom on the open road. Today, it stands as a prized collectible, admired by enthusiasts and historians alike.

 

I like that a lot. 

[Subdeacon Joe]

This is a 1917 A.O. Smith Corporation 'Motor Wheel' that attaches to the frame of a bicycle (in this picture, a Schwinn & Company Henderson). It is powered by a 118 cc AIV (air induction valve) gasoline engine. Notice the device on the right side of the handlebar—that's the starter. You would pedal until you had built up enough charge, then flip the switch on the handlebar to send the charge to the spark plug and start the motor.

 

[Blackwater 53393]

6 hours ago, Subdeacon Joe said:

This is a 1917 A.O. Smith Corporation 'Motor Wheel' that attaches to the frame of a bicycle (in this picture, a Schwinn & Company Henderson). It is powered by a 118 cc AIV (air induction valve) gasoline engine. Notice the device on the right side of the handlebar—that's the starter. You would pedal until you had built up enough charge, then flip the switch on the handlebar to send the charge to the spark plug and start the motor.

 

I wonder what that sounded like when you made a right turn??

[Subdeacon Joe]

1 hour ago, Blackwater 53393 said:

I wonder what that sounded like when you made a right turn??

 

 

Like a small motorcycle with a sidecar making a left turn? 

[Eyesa Horg]

2 minutes ago, Subdeacon Joe said:

 

 

Like a small motorcycle with a sidecar making a left turn? 

Except the sidecar isn't generally the drive wheel.

[Subdeacon Joe]

3 minutes ago, Eyesa Horg said:

Except the sidecar isn't generally the drive wheel.

 

I don't think that it would make that much difference in the sound.  I bet it made left turns rather zippy, what with that drive wheel off center and to the outside of the turn.

[Pat Riot]

8 hours ago, Subdeacon Joe said:

1917 A.O. Smith Corporation 'Motor Wheel'

I found an interesting article about these. 
https://vintagenewsdaily.com/smith-motor-wheel-a-self-contained-power-unit-designed-for-attachment-to-a-bicycle-from-the-1910s/

[Subdeacon Joe]

5 minutes ago, Pat Riot said:

I found an interesting article about these. 
https://vintagenewsdaily.com/smith-motor-wheel-a-self-contained-power-unit-designed-for-attachment-to-a-bicycle-from-the-1910s/

 

 

Thanks!  This I found interesting:


Looks like by, say, 1920, spark plug threads were standardized.  Sort of like valve stem threads - Schraeder Valves - which hasn't changed since the 1890s.  

• External 8V1 thread: 0.305 in (7.747 mm) x 32 TPI^[4] (1⁄32 in or 0.7938 mm pitch; tap size 8v1-32)
• Internal 5V1 thread: 0.209 in (5.309 mm) x 36 TPI (1⁄36 in or 0.7056 mm pitch; tap size 5v1-36)

I was once faced with trying to find out the threads on a part we were trying to reverse engineer.  It ended up being the external 5V1 0.209 x 36 tpi.  Which doesn't show up in The Machinery Handbook.

[Blackwater 53393]

21 minutes ago, Subdeacon Joe said:

 

I don't think that it would make that much difference in the sound.  I bet it made left turns rather zippy, what with that drive wheel off center and to the outside of the turn.

Actually, in a left turn, the drive wheel would be to the inside of the turn.  Unless the Motor Wheel was mounted on some sort of suspension, it would be off the ground on right turns and would try to lift the rear wheel of the bicycle on left turns.

 

In a right turn, the Motor Wheel would be unloaded and would likely speed up considerably, unless it was governed, possibly causing the bicycle to accelerate when the drive wheel touched down again.

 

I’d like to see one in actual operation!!

 

 

Edited September 3 by Blackwater 53393

[Subdeacon Joe]

1 minute ago, Blackwater 53393 said:

Actually, in a left turn, the drive wheel would be to the inside of the turn.  Unless the Motor Wheel was mounted on some sort of suspension, it would be off the ground on right turns and would try to lift the rear wheel of the bicycle on left turns.

 

In a right turn, the Motor Wheel would be unloaded and would likely speed up considerably, unless it was governed, possibly causing the bicycle to accelerate when the drive wheel touched down again.

 

I’d like to see one in actual operation!!

 

 

 

 

DUH!!!!

I need more coffee!  I was thinking regular sidecar!

DUH!!!!

 

[sassnetguy50]

1 hour ago, Blackwater 53393 said:

Actually, in a left turn, the drive wheel would be to the inside of the turn.  Unless the Motor Wheel was mounted on some sort of suspension, it would be off the ground on right turns and would try to lift the rear wheel of the bicycle on left turns.

 

In a right turn, the Motor Wheel would be unloaded and would likely speed up considerably, unless it was governed, possibly causing the bicycle to accelerate when the drive wheel touched down again.

 

I’d like to see one in actual operation!!

 

 

Look at the pictures, it is mounted on a pivot that would allow constant drive.  Such designs were necessary for going straight down the "roads" of 100 years ago.

[sassnetguy50]

[Eyesa Horg]

Damn , is that what it looked like? 

[Blackwater 53393]

26 minutes ago, sassnetguy50 said:

Never try to start one if you ain’t straddle of it!

[Eyesa Horg]

4 minutes ago, Blackwater 53393 said:

Never try to start one if you ain’t straddle of it!

And not out in the middle of the dang road!

[Eyesa Horg]

If it had launched me like that, I'd be rolling it down that hill and easing out the clutch in second right about at the shade down the road.

[Pat Riot]

4 hours ago, sassnetguy50 said:

I am pretty sure I fractured some bones in my right foot helping my buddy start his AMF 1200 Sporty. I was wearing Reebok sneakers. I can still feel the pain when I think about it. 

[Blackwater 53393]

Never really had much trouble with mine kicking back. My right knee is destroyed from having the ratchet slip and the kicker drop through!

 

The first time it happened, I laid on the driveway and whimpered for five minutes! 
 

I cured the problem by putting a high torque/high speed starter on the bike and going to electronic ignition.

 

That old Panhead in the picture probably wouldn’t throw a guy that size that high, but it would certainly kick the crap out of him!!

[Pat Riot]

2 hours ago, Blackwater 53393 said:

Never really had much trouble with mine kicking back. My right knee is destroyed from having the ratchet slip and the kicker drop through!

 

The first time it happened, I laid on the driveway and whimpered for five minutes! 
 

I cured the problem by putting a high torque/high speed starter on the bike and going to electronic ignition.

 

That old Panhead in the picture probably wouldn’t throw a guy that size that high, but it would certainly kick the crap out of him!!

One thing I learned about kick starting bikes was never to straighten or lock your knee. 
A friend of mine invited me to ride his ‘49 Knucklehead. That damn thing got me twice. I was so glad I was wearing my Red Wings. 

[Blackwater 53393]

I never rode, (not counting down the street to check out brakes or such) in sneakers or dress shoes. Almost always in lace up, high top boots or cowboy boots. I’ve still received several broken bones in my left foot and one or two in the right.

 

I never tried to kickstart a bike with a straight leg, but if that ratchet ever skips, your leg will straighten out on its own!  If you’re lucky, it won’t bend backward when you hit bottom!

 

 

Edited September 4 by Blackwater 53393

[El Chapo]

16 hours ago, Pat Riot said:

I am pretty sure I fractured some bones in my right foot helping my buddy start his AMF 1200 Sporty. I was wearing Reebok sneakers. I can still feel the pain when I think about it. 

 

That would be kinda hard, since there was no such thing as a 1200 Sportster until 1988, during which we were well aft of the AMF era and very firmly in the "Evolution" era for several years already by then.

[Eyesa Horg]

The one that got me was an '68 XLXH Sportster! Doubt that it actually launched me however, but damn sure hurt.

[Blackwater 53393]

6 minutes ago, El Chapo said:

 

That would be kinda hard, since there was no such thing as a 1200 Sportster until 1988, during which we were well aft of the AMF era and very firmly in the "Evolution" era for several years already by then.

Actually, not hard at all!  We were stroking Sporties and putting big bore kits together in the early 70s!  
 

My cousin had an XLCH that was over 1200 ccs in ‘72!  The guy that assembled the engine told him that it needed to have extra head gaskets to lower the compression, but Sam insisted on the higher compression.  I had to drive over to his house, sometimes, because he only weighed about a hundred-twenty pounds and it would kick back a throw him off the bike now and then. I was pushing 205 and it would lift me off the ground when it was being stubborn about starting.  
 

I finally convinced him to lower the compression and convert it to electric start.

[Choctaw Jack]

I started riding Harley Davidsons in the mid seventies.Lots of stroked Sportsters around.

Saw a couple approaching 80 inches, but they were usually a pain.You had to shave fins on the cylinders, clearance the cranks , lots of extra work, and most over heated.

My favorite engine was the shovelhead. You couldn't beat their sound at idle.

The Evo was a much more reliable mill,IMHO. I owned them from eighty inches to over a hundred, and they all treated me well.

Choctaw

 

 

 

[Blackwater 53393]

My current Harley is a 92cu in Shovelhead. It’s all bore. That’s roughly 1500 ccs. It was meticulously assembled by a well known, award winning Harley mechanic. It will usually start before it turns over three times and hasn’t leaked a drop of any fluid in nearly twenty years!

 

I’ll qualify that last statement with the acknowledgment that I haven’t ridden it in four years, but it’s been started and run until it reached running temperature on a regular basis.

 

If my foot is healed by Christmas, I WILL ride it on New Year’s Day, 2025! (It’ll take me that long to get it cleaned up from sitting, collecting dust!)

[Eyesa Horg]

"Here's" to New Years 25 

[Pat Riot]

4 hours ago, El Chapo said:

 

That would be kinda hard, since there was no such thing as a 1200 Sportster until 1988, during which we were well aft of the AMF era and very firmly in the "Evolution" era for several years already by then.

This was an AMF 1200 Sportster. I think it was a ‘74. 
How about you do a little research before you try and throw me under a bus?
 

https://www.lowbrowcustoms.com/blogs/events-features/harley-davidson-amf-years

Do a search

Edited September 5 by Pat Riot

[Crooked River Pete, SASS 43485]

That's a super glide not a sportster.