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The mid-1980s saw the beginning of the “bullet” bike. Suzuki took three models of race bikes and de-tuned them for sale to the public. The demand was substantial–the motorcycle enthusiast was able to have supercar performance for a very reasonable price. 1986 saw an all new version of the GSXR. This motorcycle had an all […]
Suzuki GSXR750 – 1988 Read More »
The Sinclair C5 is a 3-wheeled battery operated vehicle created by Sir Clive Sinclair- inventor of the first slim-line pocket calculator, the first digital watch, and numerous personal computers. Development began in the 1970s and progressed slowly until 1983 when British legislation changed to allow sale of such a vehicle. The C5 is a recumbent
Sinclair C5 – 1985 Read More »
Long before internet shopping there was the Sears Roebuck & Co. catalogue. Started as R.W. Sears Watch Co., the mail-order firm offered watches and jewelry in the late 19th century. By 1894, under Sears Roebuck & Co., the catalog expanded to include sewing machines, sporting goods, musical instruments, saddles, bicycles, baby carriages—and would keep expanding
Sears (Puch) Compact DS60 Scooter – 1966 Read More »
Whizzer motor kits were introduced by Breene-Taylor Engineering Corporation, a Los Angeles maker of aircraft parts, in 1939. The kit sold for $54.95 and included an air-cooled, four-cycle engine that when added to a bicycle, enabled the rider to cruise powered by the motor. During WWII, the company was given permission by the War Production
Schwinn Whizzer Model WZ – 1948 Read More »
In 1935 Californian E. Foster Salsbury, an innovative businessman, was impressed when he saw pioneering aviator Amelia Earhart using an old small motorized two-wheeler Motoped around Burbank’s Lockheed Airport. He had a vision for “a cheap and cheerful vehicle that would propel the country forward to prosperous times.” Salsbury hired inventor Austin Elmore to construct
Salsbury Model 85 Standard – 1947 Read More »
NSU began motorcycle production in 1901, four years before they began producing cars. The company prospered with motorcycles , and although air-raid bombing during World War II destroyed their factories, by the mid-1950s, NSU was the world’s biggest motorcycle maker. It is rumored that the name “Konsul” was selected for this motorcycle because it incorporated
NSU 501 Konsul II – 1952 Read More »
A monowheel is one big wheel with the rider and engine inside the circumference. It differs from a unicycle which has the rider above the wheel. The first known patent was issued to Allen Greene and Elisha Dyer of Providence, Rhode Island in 1869. The idea of a single wheeled motorcycle has captured the imagination
McLean Monowheel – 1998 Read More »
Motobécane was a French manufacturer of bicycles, mopeds, and motorcycles established in 1923. Motobécane came from two slang words: “Moto” for motor and “bécane” for bike. The company was a success and during the 1970s owned Velosolex. The company filed for bankruptcy in 1984, was purchased by Yamaha Motor Company, Ltd., and was reformed in
MBK Magnum Racing XR – 2002 Read More »
Honda can be said to have introduced motorcycling to the masses in the U.S., with the 1959 introduction of the C100 Super Cub–the world’s best-selling vehicle. The Super Cub remained in production for 35 years and sold upwards of 30 million units! The 1960s saw the beginning of what was to become a string of
Honda Sport 65 – 1965 Read More »