1910s Wood Motorcycle

In Custom by AbhiLeave a Comment

When Tim Graber of Classic Motorcycle Consignments sent this over to me, he said “I got something you have never seen, betchya!” He was right!

This was built by a gentleman named William Seder of Winnipegosis, Manitoba in the 1910s. The current owner found it in a barn in Cloverdale, British Columbia in 1995 and bought it from someone who acquired it in an estate sale in the 60s. Mr. Seder built this motorcycle for his personal use out of wood, and it weighs about 150 pounds. The dimensions are 33″H x 72″L x 25″W and the wheels are 22 inches, presumably pulled off a wagon or cart.

The current engine is a Maytag 2-cylinder engine (from a washing machine) with a Eisemann magneto, though that wasn’t created until the 20s so it is assumed to be a replacement for a “single-cylinder hit and miss engine as these were common around farms in those days.” Other interesting features include the front fender from a plow, the handlebars from a tool like an auger, the trailing-link front suspension that includes leather straps, and the complete lack of brakes. Per the seller, “these engines run at about 1,000 rpm so the calculated max speed is 13 mph.”

The seller has kept this bike in his living room for the last 25 years, taking it out to two bike shows and winning the People’s Choice Award at both. Though he has never run this machine, the seller states that the motor turns and has compression.

Find this fascinating custom for sale in Western Canada here for $12,500 here on Classic Motorcycle Consignments.