NOTES FROM THE IRON AGE: HERK MERKEL'S MOTORCYCLE GAZETTE

Quaint ideas from the early days of motorcycling are reviewed, with their original illustrations reproduced. In 1931, "Popular Mechanics" featured a new concept on its cover, a "tractor motorcycle" (shown climbing a mountain). In 1922, the Solomobile was offered, a wooden motorcycle do-it-yourself kit which featured a flat felt pad seat engine not included). A 1910 model was made from plumbing pipe. Two other cycles were also designed in 1910: one was among the earliest applications of the motorcycle in life-saving roles, an English three-wheeled firefighter equipped with light ladders and hoses; and a motorcycle produced in Maine had two extra rear wheels mounted on either side of the main driving wheel. On level pavement the extra wheels did not contact the road, but acted as stabilizers on negotiating a curve. "Popular Mechanics" ran a drawing in 1911 of a snowsled on wheels. In 1910, the English introduced the "weather-protected" sidecar attached by a third wheel, designed mainly for bachelors. A wide variety of etched-glass windshields was made available, depicting the woman of the rider's choice. In 1917, a mechanic built a steam-powered motorcycle, the Steam Bike, which had a generous 75 in. wheelbase, and a seat mounted on a movable clamp. In 1911, "Popular Mechanics" described a motorcycle with an aluminum shaft drive and worm gear; the exposed engine was mounted on the frame between the driver's feet. A final concept, pictured on an early cover of "Science and Mechanics," illustrated a cycle chariot race.

• Corporate Authors:

  Quinn Publications Incorporated

  P.O. Box 6040
  Compton, CA  United States  90224
• Authors:
  • West, T
• Publication Date: 1980-6

Media Info

• Pagination: p. 50-54
• Serial:
  • Cycle Guide
  • Volume: 14
  • Issue Number: 6
  • Publisher: Quinn Publications Incorporated

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: History; Motorcycles; Vehicle design
• Subject Areas: Design; History; Safety and Human Factors;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00386127
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
• Report/Paper Numbers: HS-029 171
• Files: HSL, USDOT
• Created Date: Jun 28 1984 12:00AM