Country: USA
Engine: Air-cooled V-twin 4-stroke
Ignition: Fairbanks-Morse magneto
Power rating: 46bhp @ 6,500rpm
Bore x Stroke: 2-3/4in x 3-13-16in
Displacement: 45ci
Valves: Side
Fuel System: Single Tilloston carburetor
Transmission: 4-speed
Suspension: Telescopic front forks, rigid rear
Weight: 360lb.
Top speed: 130mph

The flathead KR models were teh backbone of American dirt track racing from 1952 thru 1969. Riders and tuners tried every trick in the book to improve performance, so no two machines were alike. With the power output approaching 50bhp, these sidevalvers were comparable in overall performance to the British 500cc overhead valve vertical twins. The uneven power pulses from the 45 degree design often gave them an advantage on a slippery race track to get traction.

1940/54 Velocette Special

Country: Great Britain
Engine: Air-cooled single-cylinder 4-stroke
Ignition: B.T.H. magneto
Bore x Stroke: 74 x 81mm
Displacement: 348cc
Valves: Single overhead cam
Fuel System: Amal grand Prix carburetor
Transmission: 4-speed
Suspension: Front telescopic forks, rear twin  shock
Brakes: Front and rear drum
Weight: 380lb
Top Speed: 85mph

This is a "Special," a 1940 KSS overhead camshaft motor housed in a 1954 spring-framed chassis. A sports model engine combined with a modern chassis was a quite popular conversion. Velocette built this example for an employee, a Mr. Goodman, to commemorate 50 years association with the company. The paint color is appropriate for a Golden Anniversary.

1982 Ducati Darmah

Country: Italy
Engine: Air-cooled 90-degree V-twin, 4-stroke
Ignition: C.D.I.
Power Rating: 68 bhp @7,000rpm
Bore x Stroke: 86 x 74.4mm
Displacement: 864cc
Valves: Overhead single camshaft, driven by shaft & bevel gears, desmodromic valve operation
Fuel System: Twin Del'Orto 40mm carburetors
Transmission: 5-speed
Suspension: Front telescopic forks, rear twin shock
Brakes: Front and rear Brembo discs
Weight: 476lb
Top Speed: 113mph

The Darmah was the first Ducati that offered features such as electric start, air cleaners, quiet exhaust, Nippon Denso instruments and switch gear, Bosch quartz headlamp, etc. This resulted in a very reliable, civilized machine that retained the fabulous V-twin motor and race-bred chassis. The Darmah's were produced from 1977 to 1983.

1922 Reading Standard

Country: U.S.A.
Engine: Air-cooled V-twin 4-stroke
Ignition: Magneto
Power Rating: 12hp
Displacement: 67ci (1,100cc)
Valves: Side
Fuel System: Single
Transmission: 3-speed
Suspension: Front leading link forks, rigid rear
Brakes: Internal and external on rear wheel

Reading Standard was a relatively small producer of quality motorcycles, and unusual for the time, never got involved in racing. The big three, Harley-Davidson, Indian and Excelsior, capitalized ont heir track successes to increase sales, but Reading Standard faded away by 1924, and only a handful of these classic motorcycles exist today. This machine was located in Mexico and restored at the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum.

1953 Victoria Bergmeister

Country: Germany
Engine: Air-cooled, transverse V-twin, 4-stroke
Ignition: Battery and coil
Power Rating: 21 bhp
Bore x Stroke: 64 x 54mm
Displacement: 347cc
Valves: Overhead, pushrod activated
Fuel System: Single Bing carburetor
Transmission: 4-speed, shaft final drive
Suspension: Front telescopic forks, rear plunger
Brakes: Front and rear drum
Weight: 389lb.
Top Speed: 80mph

When introduced in 1951, the Bergmeister (Mountain Master) was radically different. A V-twin, but mounted transversely, with streamlined engine cases that even enclosed the carburetor. A series of chains instead of the usual gears are used in the transmission, resulting in quiet operation. Smooth and powerful, sufficient to have a side-car attached, it was a unique quality product from post-war Germany. This was the first motorcycle donated to the museum.

1962 Mustang Bronco

Country: USA
Engine: Air-cooled, single-cylinder 4-stroke
Ignition: Magneto
Power Rating: 10.5hp
Bore x Stroke: 2-7/8in x 3in
Displacement: 19.4ci
Valves: Side
Fuel System: Dell'Orto carburetor
Transmission: 3-speed
Suspension: Front telescopic forks, rigid rear
Brakes: Front and rear drum
Weight: 215lb
Top Speed: 60mph

Not to be classed as a scooter such as a Cushman, the Mustang was a minature motorcycle, but only in size, not performance. In the 1950s Mustang's claim to fame was winning the Catalina Grand Prix, a cross-country classic held annuamlly on Catalina Island, off the coast of California. Ridden by Walt Fulton, the little mustang showed its heels to the field of European dirt bikes. Immensly popular in their day, Mustang motorcycles remain desireable machines.

Read more about Mustang motorcycles in the January/February 2013 issue of Motorcycle Classics. 

1913 Flying Merkel Model 71

Country: Middletown, Ohio
Engine: Air-cooled V-Twin 4-stroke
Ignition: Bosch Magneto
Power Rating: 7hp
Bore x Stroke: 3-1/4-inch borec x 3-43/64-inch stroke
Displacement: 60.89cu.in.
Valves: Overhead inlet, side exhaust
Fuel System: Single Merkel-Schebler carburetor
Transmission: Single-speed, Eclipse clutch on crankshaft
Suspension: Front truss spring fork, rear catilever sprung frame
Brakes: Rear "flat band" drum
Top Speed: 60mph
Price: $260

Flying Merkel has to be one of the greatest names for a motorcycle. These machines had many innovative features, such as the rear suspension design and the use of ball bearings in the power unit. Merkel also advertised that they were the first to use a full loop frame. This machine still has the majority of its original paint, and is possibly the finest unrestored Flying Merkel motorcycle in existence.