1926 Royal Enfield

Country: Great Britain
Engine: Air-cooled single-cylinder 2-stroke
Ignition: Magneto
Displacement: 250cc
Fuel System: Amal carburetor
Transmission: 2-speed, handshift
Suspension: Girder front forks, rigid rear
Brakes: Front and rear drum
Weight: 200lb.
Top Speed: 35mph

A typical Twenties commuter motorcycle, this classic bike probably gives over 100mpg. These little 250cc machines were very popular, with low running costs, ease of service and quite good construction. The large-diameter external flywheel on this Royal Enfield helps to smooth out the characteristic erratic running that 2-strokes have at low revs.

1920s Rush Motorcycle

Country: Belgium
Engine: Air-cooled single cylinder 4-stroke (British Blackburn)
Ignition: Bosch Magneto
Power rating: 10 bhp (approx.)
Displacement: 348cc
Valves: Side
Fuel system: Single Amal carburetor
Transmission: Burman 3-speed (British)
Suspension: Front Webb girder fork, rigid rear
Brakes: British Hub Company drums, front and rear
Weight: Approx. 230 lbs.
Top speed: 55 mph

 Very little is known about the Rush motorcycles except that they were built between 1922 and 1934 by racer/constructor by the name of Van Geert. Initially he used British components, then from 1927 on used motors of his own design. Van Geert rode one of his machines to victory in the 250cc Italian Grand Prix in 1924. These Rush motorcycles were primarily low-cost, low-tech transportation machines.

1950 Indian Warrior with Skis

Country: USA
Engine: Air-cooled, twin-cylinder 4-stroke
Ignition: Edison Splitdorf magneto
Power Rating: 25hp
Bore x Stroke: 2.54 x 3 inches
Displacement: 30.4cu (499cc)
Valves: Overhead, puchrod activated
Fuel System: Single Del-Orto 22mm carburetor
Transmission: 4-speed
Suspension: Front telescopic fork, rear plunger
Brakes: Front and rear drum
Weight: 315lb.
Top Speed: 90mph

In an attempt to boost slow sales, Indian designed this ski bolt-on conversion that would allow the rider to operate an Indian motorcycle in the winter season. The "optional" rear tractor tire was a necessity if you wanted forward motion. It is not known how many of these kits were sold or how successful they were.

From an Indian advertisement: "Entirely new, thrilling, snow-time sport for cycle riders. Simply fit a pair of skis to your motorcycle  - then sail over hill and dale, on roadway or cross-country, wherever good skiing snow exists. Skis support the machine, operate independently according to foot pressure and allow you to lean and turn with perfect control.

"Amazing performance and real fun all winter long. Practical, too, allows you year-round use of a motorcycle for transportation purposes.

"The skis are made of best-quality ash, protected on the bottom and side with full steel runner. Fitted to the frame with spring-loaded, tubular swinging arm suspension that lifts the ski for riding on clear roads. Specially designed for Indian Arrow and Scout models.

"Try 'Ski-Cycling.' It's Great Fun. Only $59.95 per unit at your Indian motorcycle dealer.

"NOTE: The special Indian 'Super-Grip' snow tire, Part 1878005, is recommended for use with skis to obtain best traction and drive and better performance. List price $16.80 plus tax." 

1975 Honda Gold Wing

Country: Japan
Engine: Liquid-cooled, 4-cylinder 4-stroke
Ignition: Battery and coil
Power Rating: 86bhp @7,000rpm
Bore x Stroke: 72 x 61.5mm
Displacement: 999cc
Valves: Single overhead cams, belt-driven
Fuel System:  Four 32mm Keihin CV carburetors
Transmission: Five speed, shaft final drive
Suspension: Front telescopic forks, rear twin shocks
Brakes: Front and rear disc
Weight: 635 lbs
Top Speed: 125mph

With the introduction of the Gold Wing in 1975, Honda set new standards in touring bike design and performance. The flat four motor was silent, smooth and fast and would require minimum maintenance. By current standards this motorcycle looks comparatively small, but at the time it was on of the largest and heaviest bikes on the market. The Gold Wing still sets the standard in luxury touring.

1920 Militor

Country:  USA
Engine: Air-cooled 4-cylinder in-line 4-stroke
Ignition: Magneto
Power Rating: 11hp
Displacement: 1306cc (80ci)
Valves: Inlet over exhaust (F-head)
Fuel System: Single up-draught carburetor
Transmission: Three speed and reverse. Hand shift, shaft drive
Suspension: Front telescopic fork, rear quarter elliptic leaf spring
Brakes: Rear drum only
Weight: 800 lbs.
Top Speed: 35mph

The Militaire, later known as the Militor, was designed for the US Army. A small number of these machines were taken to France in 1918, but with a combined weight of 800lbs they sank badly in the battlefield mud.The wheels are wagon-style and made of wood.

The curious steel loop passing through the front axel is not hub steering, but a form of stabilizer. With many mechanical difficulties, the Militor motorcycle factory closed in 1922.

1915 Iver Johnson

Country: U.S.A.
Engine: Air-cooled V-twin 4-stroke
Ignition: Bosch magneto
Power Rating: 8hp
Bore x Stroke: 45mm x 78mm x2
Displacement: 64ci
Valves: Side
Fuel System: Single carburetor
Transmission: Single speed, epicyclical cluth on crank
Suspension: Front leading link with leaf spring, rigid rear
Brakes: Rear external band
Lighting: Acetylene gas
Top Speed:  45mph

Iver Johnson Arms and Cycle Works were located in Fitchburg, Mass. and better known for their firearms than as pioneer motorcycle manufacturers. Production ran from 1907 to 1916, with this V-twin being the final design.

These machines were labeled "Mechanical perfection," where in fact they had many mechanical features, such as the cam operation and clutch, that were unnecessarily complicated.

1975 Bultaco Astro 360

Country: Spain
Engine: Single cylinder air-cooled two stroke
Ignition: Flywheel magneto
Power Rating: 46bhp
Bore x Stroke: 84.5x64mm
Displacement: 359cc
Fuel System: Single flat slide Mikuni carburetor
Valves: Reed inlet
Transmission: 5-speed, in unit
Suspension: Telescopic front forks, twin rear shocks
Brakes: Rear single disc
Weight: 215lbs.

Unique to the United States, the Astro is a vintage motocross bike conceived to compete at dirt ovals at every small town fairground. Derived from the Pursang motocross model, the Bultaco Astro had a higher output motor, no front brake, shifter and rear brake pedal on both the left and right and a variable wheel base set by special rear wheel adjusters. The name comes from the Houston Aerodome, where this classic motorcycle model had much success.