View Post

One Year Only – 1916 Indian Model K

In America, Cruiser, Vintage by AbhiLeave a Comment

Older Indians are best known for their four-stroke V-twin powerplants, though the company did try their hand at other designs like the Indian Four or the two-stroke single found in the Model K. Designed to be low cost transportation (MSRP was $150), the Model K lasted all of one year before it was replaced by the Model O, which got …

View Post

1922 Johnson Motorwheel

In America, Vintage by AbhiLeave a Comment

Based out of Terre Haute, Indiana, four bothers came together to form the Johnson Motor Company. Despite some initial trials and tribulations, they had set half-mile dirt track records and sold over 17,000 units by 1921. Unfortunately by that point Henry Ford was making vehicles like the Motorwheel obsolete with the Model T. A few years later and the Johnson …

View Post

1930 FN Sahara M70

In Standard, Vintage by Abhi1 Comment

Post-Listing Update: This Sahara was pulled off of eBay before the listing ended. In 1923, FN brought out a new unit construction single that quickly usurped the popularity of their four cylinder powerplant. Initially, the singles were popular with sportier riders, but FN wanted more of a standard model – hence the M70. In 1927, two French army officers (along …

View Post

Advanced in France – 1931 Peugeot P108

In France, Standard, Vintage by Tom WackerLeave a Comment

The 1931 Peugeot P108 is not only a beautiful piece, it boasted several innovative features. Prime among them is no separate primary drive and gearbox, but everything tucked into one neat case. The lines and look are very elegant. The P108 is driven by an air cooled 249 cc single side valve motor. Considered a lightweight, the 108 had full …

View Post

1930 Harley-Davidson Model C

In America, Cruiser, Vintage by Tom Wacker1 Comment

The big news for 2014 from Harley Davidson was the addition of a 500cc and 750cc ‘lighter version’ to the HD lineup. It presents a low entry level price point for the HD experience. But the 2014 500cc Harley Davidson wasn’t anywhere near the first. In 1929 Harley introduced the Model C, a 500cc (30.5 cid) flathead single. The model …

View Post

1935 Rudge Tourist 250

In England, Vintage by Abhi

Founded in 1894 through the merger of two bicycle makers, Rudge-Whitworth moved into motorcycle production in 1911. They made a name for themselves with some technological innovations (such as the Multi gear system which allowed for 21 speeds) and some racing success.

View Post

1907 Marsh-Metz

In America, Vintage by AbhiLeave a Comment

One of the founders of Waltham Manufacturing Company, Charles Herman Metz, ended up leaving to form the Metz Motorcycle Company in 1902. Fast forward to 1905, and he had merged with the Marsh brothers to create the American Motorcycle Company, which put out the Marsh-Metz motorcycle.

View Post

Ending Soon – 1938 Moto Scoot Model B

In America, Scooter, Vintage by AbhiLeave a Comment

In 1936, Normal Siegel created Moto Scoot with all of his assets and three employees. When Siegel served in the Amry for WWII, the company was taken over by financiers in Chicago who changed the name to American Moto Scoot. It would go on to be the nation’s most popular scooter for a few years, bigger than Cushman or Salisbury.

View Post

Ending Soon – 1940 BMW R12

In Germany, Vintage by AbhiLeave a Comment

Until the R75/5 was introduced, the R12 was BMW’s most popular motorcycle. Almost 30k were made, 2/3rds for civilians and the rest for the Wehrmacht. Here’s an example of the latter, claimed to have been delivered to the Waffen-SS. Because of this, it’s apparently a civilian model that was used by the military – and the seller says he has …