Early Motorcycle Photos thread

[SKPC]

1911 Oakland motordrome

 

[DaytonandElgin]

In 1901, Swedish-American Carl Oscar Hedstrom (1871-1960) designed this Indian for Hendee Manufacturing, based in Springfield, Mass. The machine weighs less than 100 pounds.

Hedstrom's engine: 1.75-hp, 1-cylinder, 4-cycle.

(The two photos are from Wheels and Wheeling - The Smithsonian Cycle Collection, 1974, page 83, and AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame.)

 

[DaytonandElgin]

In 1910, Consolidated Mfg., Toledo, Ohio had a 3.5-hp Yale for $200 (about $6,874, inflation-adjusted) or 6.5-hp Yale at $300 (now $10,311).

 

[DaytonandElgin]

The America, circa 1905, from Great Western Manufacturing, which used a Thor engine. Great Western was based in La Porte, Indiana, 27 miles west-southwest of South Bend. (BikerSinc.org.)

 

[DaytonandElgin]

James W. Kern (1884-1959) owned this bike and motorcycle shop, c. 1917, in Indianapolis.

(HistoricIndianapolis.com.)

 

[DaytonandElgin]

Indianapolis racers, 1910.

(IndyStar.com.)

 

[Jesse McCauley]

I posted this photo to the 'bikes and trains' thread but probably fits better here-
I believe this photo shows a Yale after a catastrophic wreck. There are two photos in the series, perhaps documentation for insurance purposes?

 

[oldbiscuit]

I posted this photo to the 'bikes and trains' thread but probably fits better here-
I believe this photo shows a Yale after a catastrophic wreck. There are two photos in the series, perhaps documentation for insurance purposes?

View attachment 2307644

Insurance ?? I don’t think that was even a thing for motor bikes back in the day .

 

[Jesse McCauley]

Insurance ?? I don’t think that was even a thing for motor bikes back in the day .

Insurance for early automobiles, motorcycles, and even bicycles was popular in the very late 19th and early 20th century.
I believe the first documented vehicle insurance policy dates back to 1897 in the US.

 

[deco-rate]

This was a relative of mine here in Nebraska. I can’t make out the date on the back but it does say “5 hp twin” on on the pic.
Unfortunately it apparently was not handed down through the family.