"Vintage & Classic Motorcycle Enthusiasts" history page!

Period one: from the late 1800's to the early 20th. century:  The Formation years; few machines had more than 3hp, machines looked like bicycles with engines, bikes used lanterns for lights, and many small experimental companies existed. 

Period two: from 1903 to WW I (1917):  The motorcycle becomes popular and reliable(in relative terms);  Motorcycles begin to take a more consistent form, the V twin enters the arena, breaks begin to actually work, and formal racing becomes a recognized sport.

Period three: from WWI to WW II (1917 to 1939): Motorcycles become more sophisticated, The American industry grows by leaps and bounds, Engines begin to produce much more power (20+ hp), and a world market emerges.

Period four: from 1940 to the late 1950's: The pre WW II technology is continued with very slow development. The British bikes have there day, Indian dies, and motorcycling is given a "bad boy" status in America.  

Period five:  from 1959 till 1979:  The motorcycling world explodes with new innovations, British bikes die, the Japanese bikes begin to dominate in terms of innovation, the super bike emerges, and the era of the modern bike emerges. 

Period six:  from 1979 to 1990:  Harley returns in a big way, clear markets become more dominant (touring, cruiser, sport, and standards), air cooling is replaced by water cooling in a majority of bikes, and there is a definite lull in the market.

Period seven: from 1991 to the early 21st. century:  there is a clear "retro" market, dozens of specialty bike builders emerge, the custom market grows (along with wide back tires), many Japanese bikes are built in America, sport bikes get really fast (the 175mph street bike emerges), and bike rally's grow into "huge" events (Sturgis, Laconia, Datona, Rot, and dozens of other events emerge).

Check out the pictures below, then go to my "motorcycle history" web site: www.markbayersmotorcyclehistory.mysite.com

The site above is my 12+ page site which goes into much more detail, please review the material!

 

 

The Gottlieb-Damlier, dated 1885,  was around 1/2 horespower, had wood wheels and might reach around 4mph in 20 seconds when it would run.  It was termed the "bone shaker" because it gave a rough ride.

The Cyclone was built from 1912 to 1917, produced 25 horsepower, and was the super bike of the day. 

 This end of the 1930's Indian was both stylish and well built.  Indian was the original American motorcycle and they were quite the race bikes in their day.

The mid 1960's Honda 305 Scrambler (CL77) helped start the Japanese invasion.  They were as fast as the slower British 500's, very reliable, and ran for ever.  With a retail price of around $700 they sold millions of them and were generally abused and tossed away.

The 1969 Honda CB 750 shook the world of motorcycling.  The bike revolutionized the industry and has forever changed it.  The bike has been used for touring, choppers, road racers, drag bikes, and for cafe racers. The first series imported had "sand cast" cases, those machines are very collectable today.

This mid to late 1960's BSA Lightening reflected Britian's best.  They never sold like the Triumph's did, but are still beautiful to look at today.

This late 1960's Triumph Bonneville was fast, reliable, and good looking.  It was considered by many to be the ultimate motorcycle of the day!  The bike pictured below is in the Steve McQueen's museum.

The early 1970's Kawasaki 900 Z1 was truly a groundbreaker.  The big Kawasaki was the fastest stock bike in it's day.  Today, a Z 1 will still run with the best.

Pictured below is a new Norton motorcycle which "may" be built.  The original group ran out of money, don't you hope someone builds it.  It's such a beautiful bike.