While not a household name, Victor Bouffort (1912-1995) was a prolific French inventor of the mid-20th century. Inspired by the collapsible Welbike motorcycle used by British paratroops during the war, Bouffort developed a prototype for a folding, stow-away scooter in the early 1950s.
Production of the Valmobile “suitcase scooter” by the Hirano Motorcycle Company of Japan began in 1956, after the previous manufacturer Martin-Moulet struggled to find success for the Valmobile in its native France.
In 1940, Marcel Mennesson had a prototype built for a bicycle equipped with a motor on the front wheel. The 38cc engine was outfitted with a roller transmission, carburetor and tank, and mounted on the front 700-millimetre wheel.
The Boy Mechanic (published in 1925) offered hundreds of detailed drawings of things a boy could build. One chapter was titled “Building a Wind Wagon.”
The “CR107" is advertised as a “dirtbike for power hungry riders looking for adventure.” It was designed by Guy Cooper, 1990 American Motorcyclist Association National 125cc Motocross Champion and styled after the Honda XR50.
At first glance, this Yamaha Scooter may not appear to be anything special. Upon closer inspection, you will see that it only has .3 of a mile on it. In fact, it has 10,000.3 miles on it as the speedometer has turned over.
This is a current mid-range “bullet” bike offered by Yamaha. Ever since its founding as a motorcycle manufacturer on July 1, 1955, Yamaha Motor Company has worked to build products which stand among the very best in the world through its constant pursuit of quality.
The RZ350 represented the end of an area for road going two strokes. Decked out in its beautiful Kenny Roberts inspired bodywork, the RZ was not only good looking, but an incredible ride.
HAVING COME TO DOMINATE ROAD RACING AND MOTO-CROSS, THE MAJOR JAPANESE MOTORCYCLE FACTORIES TURNED THEIR ATTENTION TO THE TRIALS WORLD IN THE EARLY 1970S, RECRUITING TOP BRITISH RIDERS TO ASSIST WITH MACHINE DEVELOPMENT.
In 1953, Genichi Kawakami, Yamaha motorcycles’ first president, was looking for a way to make use of idle machining equipment that had previously been used by the company to make aircraft propellers. Market and competitive factors led him to focus on the motorcycle market.
Continuing the trend set by the WR400 and the YZ426, the WR250 brings ridiculously low weight (102 kilos!!!) and a whole new kind of handling and throttle response to its class.
Zündapp was a German motorcycle manufacturer that existed from 1917 until its bankruptcy in 1984. After WWII, the company moved from motorcycles and aircraft engines into scooters and smaller bikes, producing the Bella from 1953-1964.
