Historical Development of Motorcycles
Quiz, Identifying Classic Bikes and Parts
Dresda
Dave Degens started producing frames under the Dresda name in the 60s. Returning to their roots, the company now makes Dresda Tritons for the booming café racer market.
Motorcycle Development--Controls
Classic Bike Ignition Systems
There are two common ignition types associated with classic bikes: contact points and fully electronic. One of the shortcomings of the contact point ignition system is the tendency for the heel on the points to wear, which has the effect of retarding the ignition.
The Ariel Leader and Arrow
In 1958, Ariel introduced their Leader model and its sporting version the Arrow. The machines were an immediate success, so much so that in 1959 the company decided to stop production of all their 4-stroke machines.
Classic Motorcycle Frame Welding Types
The early bicycle frames used the lug construction method of frame assembly. Later motorcycle frames used various welding types including brazing, shielded metal arc, MIG and TIG to join the various tubes.
Yamaha DT1
The Yamaha DT was not only a perfect fit into a gap in the motorcycle market, the timing of its release was also perfect.
What Are Drum Brakes?
Internal expanding shoe braking systems have been around since motorcycles became popular. Better known as the drum brake, these brakes offer a simple, cost effective, easy to adjust, and relatively safe means of stopping a bike.
Classic Motorcycle Quiz
Think you know all about classic motorcycles? Take the quiz and see.
Classic Motorcycle Quiz
Think you know all about classic motorcycles? Take the quiz and see.
Rotary Engined Motorcycles
On the face of it, rotary engines are ideal for motorcycle applications. Unfortunately they have a number of inherent problems. Included in these problems are apex sealing issues, overheating and the exhaust emissions.
Triumph TWN
Triumph motorcycles were manufactured on two different continents. The German TWN (Triumph Werke Nurnberg) manufactured motorcycles from 1903 to 1957.
Classic Motorcycles with Bodywork
What Is a Cafe Racer
Most motorcyclists have heard of cafe racers. But what are they, and where did they name come from?
2 Stroke Engines – Operating Principles
The working principles of a 2 stroke are the simplest of all internal combustion engines. They have the least number of moving parts and are becoming popular amongst classic bike collectors.
4 Stroke Engines - Operating Principles
The working principles of a 4 stroke are relatively simple. Popular amongst classic bike collectors, 4 strokes have powered motorcycles from simple commuter bikes to Superbikes.
Development of Motorcycle Front Suspension
Motorcycle designers have tried many different ideas for the front suspension on a motorcycle. From girder forks to race car style links, the steering and braking assembly on the front of a motorcycle followed many different design concepts.
Shaft Drive or Chain Drive?
The chain system utilizes two sprockets, one on the gearbox and one on the rear wheel, connected by a chain. The shaft drive system uses a shaft to connect a gear inside the gearbox to another gear inside a hub on the rear wheel.
Excelsior Motorcycles - USA
Excelsior USA motorcycle production started at Randolph Street in Chicago in 1905. The company (later to become Excelsior-Henderson) produced motorcycles from 1905 to 1931.
The 10 Worst Handling Motorcycles of All Time
There are a lot of factors that affect the handling of a motorcycle. In addition to design faults by the manufacturer, poor maintenance can turn a reasonable handling bike into a white knuckle ride! And a bad set of tires can transform any bike into a crash without a date yet! Compiling a list of ten bad handling bikes is easy, but putting them...
Servi-Cycle
Servi-Cycles were manufactured by the Simplex Manufacturing Corporation in New Orleans. The little 2 strokes were produced from 1935 to 1960.
Norton Commando
The Norton Commando first saw the light of day in 1967 at the Earls Court Motorcycle Show.
Ducati 750 Super Sport
Ducati 750 Super Sport
UK Sports Mopeds
A smaller capacity limit was considered the only way to keep speeds down, and so a 50-cc moped (motorcycles with pedals) rule was introduced. But it wasn't long before even mopeds were capable of over 60 mph. Two mopeds in particular became popular with the sports moped-buying public: the AP50 Suzuki and the FS1E Yamaha.
Classic Motorcycle Exhaust Systems
Motorcycle Exhausts - 2-Stroke Expansion Chambers
As motorcycle engineers gained more knowledge of the 2-stroke and its working principles,it became obvious that to increase power they needed to have a method of varying the exhaust port timing. The invention of the 2-Stroke Expansion Chamber was the result.
The Yamaha RD
First introduced in 1972, the RD range of 2-stroke twins were developed for street use from the Grand prix racers of the 50s and 60s, firstly in air-cooled form, then later with water cooling (known as the RD LC range).
Cafés and Motorcycles in the 1960s
During the 60s in England, the youth of the time fell into one of two subcultures: mods or rockers. Home base for many of the rockers was their local café. What had once been a small café supplying transport drivers and local factory workers, blossomed during the 60s into a meeting point for hundreds of motorcycle riders.
The Ten Best Handling Bikes of all Time
To come up with a list of the ten best handling classics of all time, it is necessary to select one considered the best. Most riders who have experienced a Norton feather bed’s handling will use this chassis to judge all others.
The Kawasaki Triples
The Kawasaki three cylinder 2-strokes were unique motorcycles. For street bike performance, the H1 was unrivaled; at least as far as acceleration was concerned.
Triumph Motorcycles
Follow the history of Triumph motorcycles from its foundation in 1902. Famous for their sporting background, the company was the largest producer of motorcycles in the world during the 1960s.
Before Making Motorcycles
Most motorcycle aficionados know that the blue and white emblem on BMWs represents a spinning aircraft propeller. But do they know what the other companies did before they started to produce motorcycles?
Sidecar History and Development
Sidecar development throws up many interesting and unusual facts, not least of which is the many names they have been call including: chairs, combos, combinations, hacks, side-hacks, outfits, rigs, platforms, three wheelers. But whatever they are called, the net result of fitting a sidecar to a motorcycle is fun.
Norton
Norton, the iconic English motorcycle manufacturer, was founded by James Lansdowne Norton. The Manufacturing Company was established by Norton in 1898 in Bromsgrove Street, Birmingham, England.
Suzuki GT750
Combined with direct oil injection, the Suzuki GT750 was a sophisticated motorcycle in its day. It was produced from 1971 (GT750J) to 1977 (GT750B) after being shown to the public for the first time at the Tokyo motor show in 1970.
Motorcycle Frames, History and Development
The first motorcycles consisted of an engine bolted or clipped to an existing cycle frame. However, development was rapid. Within a short time there were single and double loops, monocoques, backbone, frontbone, and many variations of these designs, being used for frames.
Japanese Motorcycles, Four History Changers
From the 1960s onwards, Japanese motorcycles dominated the world’s markets. Of all the motorcycles designed and produced in Japan, the following four were highly significant for differing reasons when offered to the motorcycle market.
Vintage Motorcycles
Some of the early classic and vintage motorcycles required special skills to ride and, in some cases, to start.
How to Build a Café Racer
Building a café racer today is even easier than it was in the 60s. With such a well known style, specialist suppliers can be found for almost every item.
Motorcycle Shocks
To better control the wheel's movement, manufacturers needed a system of slowing or controlling the oscillation of a sprung mass; if not to fully control it, then at least to dampening the effects.
Kawasaki Z Series
The Kawasaki Z900 was the first of the Japanese large capacity Superbikes. Long considered leaders in street bike performance with their triple cylinder 2-strokes, Kawasaki came to the market with the new 4 cylinder DOHC 4-stroke in 1972.
Historic Harley Davidson Photos
Harley Davidson is an American classic. The company has been in continuous production since 1901. Although Harley Davidsons are synonymous with cruisers, they have produced many different bikes and sidecars over the years.
Indian Chief Motorcycles 1901-2003
The original Indian motorycle company was founded in 1901 in Springfield Massachusetts. An early Harley Davidson rival, this brand was founded by bicycle racer George Hendee and Swedish immigrant Oscar Hedstrom.
Kawasaki 250 Ninja
The most successful design of the 250 Ninja was the model F which was released in 1988 and saw few changes for the next twenty years (mainly cosmetic). An evolution of this machine is still available from Kawasaki and is a popular first bike for many.
Harley Davidson Knucklehead 1939
One of the defining models to come from Harley Davidson was definitely the OHV (overhead valve) engined bikes in 1936. This design was to become known as the Knucklehead, as the engine shape resembled a person's knuckles.
Triumph Trident
The Trident finally hit the show room floors in 1969; the company producing more than 19,000 units before production ceased in 1975.
Motorcycle Safety Recalls
For classic motorcycle buyers, the issue of recalls and advisories should be a consideration when conducting any research into a specific make/model.
Small Italian Classic Motorcycles
For legions of Grand Prix supporters, the small racers were special. To get good horse power from such small engines was a challenge for the best engineers. Making a street machine to resemble the racers resulted in some incredible looking machines.
Villiers Motorcycles
Thanks to the recommendations of Frank Farrer, Villiers 2-stroke engines have powered many different classic motorcycle manufacturers’ products, and everything from lawn mowers to milking machines.
Honda Gold Wing
When rumors began to spread of a unique touring motorcycle being developed by Honda, many speculated that it would be a failure. They couldn’t have been more wrong!
Motorcycle Fairings
Regardless of the type or style of fairing being fitted to a motorcycle, the same basic rules apply.
Five Classics for Less than $5,000
With a budget of $5,000 a potential classic bike buyer can find a lot of machines. Within this price range are machines that are relatively recent, generally from the mid to late 80s.
Right or Left Side Gear Change Levers
Top Ten Ugliest Bikes of all Time
BMW Motorcycles, the Early Years
Classic Motorcycle Specifications
Classic Motorcycle Wiring
To completely rewire a motorcycle, the owner or mechanic must have considerable previous experience, or at the very least, the ability to read a schematic wiring diagram. That being said, it is a relatively easy task.