La Ray Motorcycles had a brief history with supposedly only a single year of production about 70 years ago, which makes finding information on the short-lived manufacturer a difficult task. Different sources make different claims, but supposedly the Milwaukee-based manufacturer produced motorcycles somewhere between ’46 and ’48 before the factory was shut down by the IRS for back taxes. The La Ray (some spell it: “Laray”) Engineering and Equipment Company offered a scoot that was relatively primitive compared to the models being produced by local competitor Harley-Davidson. A reported 2,500 units were built of what La Ray named the Powercycle before its tooling was sold off to – whom some suspect to be – Safticycle, as it also used similar fuel-tanks and wheel hubs on its Commando model.
The La Ray Power Cycle was powered by a 2hp Clinton 701-ASL four-stroke single that powered a rear-wheel that was substantially smaller than the front-wheel as a means of gear reduction to get better traction. The engine also boasted a lighting-coil that powered the headlight and taillight. One very noteworthy feature on the Power Cycle was its clutch. Built by Mercury Clutch Company, it utilized liquid mercury inside a rubber-like inner tube. This centrifugal clutch supposedly worked really well, however it reportedly developed leaks over time which would have been a headache for obvious reasons. The Power Cycle was said to have a particularly low-center of gravity which is one of the reasons it handled pretty well from what I’ve read.
Another major factor in the Power Cycle’s above-average handling was its suspension system. The bike sported tension-type independent springing for the front wheel, while both wheels were equipped with dual-axles. Compared to the commonly-used compression-spring suspenders of the era, the Power Cycle’s dampening was supposedly superior. The saddle was supported by two coil-springs which was fairly standard around that time. One source I came across said they came with two-shoe brakes, but I couldn’t verify this anywhere.
The seller of this example claims this is a 1947 model that is “99% restored” after undergoing a ground-up rebuild. In addition to being incredibly clean, this rare 70-year-old example is said to be in solid running condition. According to the seller, the serial number on the frame is #347, but a photo shows a plaque that’s stamped with a #587 serial number. The fact this is a beautifully restored motorcycle from the 1940’s in clean, running condition with a sub-$10k price is pretty damn rare. Obviously it lacks the significance of a bike of this era from one of the bigger moco’s like H-D or Indian, but is still an awesome bike and a cool and seldom-seen opportunity.
You can find this (supposed) 1947 La Ray Power Cycle for sale here on Craigslist in Walnut Creek, California with a price of $9,500.
The asking price looks quite reasonable when you consider that there is another La Ray Power Cycle in poor shape with a BIN price of $6,500