August 26, 2009

Auto SCOOTER (Dec, 1947)

Filed under: Motorcycles — @ 10:18 am
Source: Mechanix Illustrated ( More articles from this issue )
Issue: Dec, 1947
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Auto SCOOTER

IN CROWDED metropolitan centers across the country the thin trickle of new automobiles is helping one problem —transportation—but heightening another. Parking lots are bursting with automobiles of commuters, curbs are lined and every city has a parking problem which no plan has solved. Increased costs pose another serious problem for the average family. Car prices have risen beyond comfortable reach. One-car families which ordinarily might be two-car families can’t afford the extra outlay of $2,000 or more, even if auto deliveries could be made next week. Read the rest of this entry »

December 17, 2008

Bike Disguised as Motorcycle (May, 1932)

Filed under: Bicycles, Motorcycles — @ 2:40 am
Source: Modern Mechanix ( More articles from this issue )
Issue: May, 1932
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Bike Disguised as Motorcycle
WHAT is this younger generation coming to? When you and I were kids a bike was a bike, and lucky was the boy to get one without any trimmings whatsoever. But now look! Even the tiny tots must have a bike, and an ordinary one won’t do. It must be designed as the Graf Zeppelin, or in this case, a real motorcycle.

November 11, 2008

Twenty Miles to the Pint Is Motorcycle’s Record (Nov, 1936)

Filed under: Motorcycles — @ 12:22 am
Source: Popular Mechanics ( More articles from this issue )
Issue: Nov, 1936
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Twenty Miles to the Pint Is Motorcycle’s Record
One hundred twenty miles on less than three quarts of gasoline is the record of an “underslung” type motorcycle built by a Los Angeles man and exhibited at the San Diego exposition. Its wheels are less than knee-high and equipped with balloon tires. The one-cylinder motor drives the front wheel with a belt.

October 16, 2008

A Home-Built Miniature Motorbike for Youngster (Jan, 1933)

Filed under: DIY, Motorcycles — @ 12:41 am
Source: Modern Mechanix ( More articles from this issue )
Issue: Jan, 1933
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A Home-Built Miniature Motorbike for Youngster

by THEODORE HODGDON

A youngster will get some keen thrills out of driving his own specially designed midget motorbike along the highways at a clip of 40 m.p.h. Read this article to learn how to build one of these miniature jobs or cut down a big machine to make it suitable for a 10-year-old boy.

AN EXCEPTIONAL opportunity for the mechanically-minded person to exercise his ingenuity and creative ability is afforded in the construction of miniature motorcycles for youngsters ranging all the way from three up to eight or ten years of age.

When complete, these tiny motorcycles operate exactly like their larger brothers, which may be seen in the hands of sportsmen and motorcycle policemen. The tiny engines propel the little machines along at 35 or 40 miles an hour, yet are easily controlled at a twist of the wrist by regular motorcycle throttle and spark grip.
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September 16, 2008

Motorbike Racer for Youngsters (Aug, 1931)

Filed under: Motorcycles — @ 10:25 pm
Source: Modern Mechanix ( More articles from this issue )
Issue: Aug, 1931
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Motorbike Racer for Youngsters

MINIATURE motorcycle racing is the latest innovation to be, introduced in Berlin parks for the amusement of youngsters. Riding midget motorcycles, which have side cars and all like the big motorbikes, these midget racers speed around a miniature track especially built for them, while spectators cheer from the grandstands. Read the rest of this entry »

August 24, 2008

Fido Gets Motorcycle Side-Car (Aug, 1931)

Filed under: Dogs, Motorcycles — @ 9:22 pm
Source: Modern Mechanix ( More articles from this issue )
Issue: Aug, 1931
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Fido Gets Motorcycle Side-Car
BEFORE the bicycle went modern and acquired a motor, Fido could get his Sunday airing with the rest of the family under his own power. He can never hope, however, to keep up with the speedy motorcycle, so one English dog lover has installed a miniature sidecar for Fido’s private use. The tiny sidecar is equipped with its own private celluloid windshield which folds back as shown in the photograph below, protecting the dog from the elements.

July 3, 2008

AMATEUR Dare-Devils GIVE MOTOR-CYCLE RODEOS (Mar, 1938)

Filed under: Motorcycles — @ 2:57 pm
Source: Popular Science ( More articles from this issue )
Issue: Mar, 1938
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AMATEUR Dare-Devils GIVE MOTOR-CYCLE RODEOS

WEARING natty military uniforms and riding standard American-made motor cycles, a group of thirty-three amateur riders, all Los Angeles, Calif., business and professional men, recently won for the United States the International Motor-Cycle Trophy, emblem of world supremacy in acrobatic riding. Organized two years ago under the sponsorship of Victor McLaglen, motion-picture star, these dare-devil amateurs spend their spare time learning new tricks and giving thrilling exhibitions of stunt riding in western cities. Their coveted world title was captured from a team in Mexico City, which previously took it from the police team of London, England. Read the rest of this entry »

June 23, 2008

Packing Thrills in a Motorcycle T.T. Track (May, 1936)

Filed under: Motorcycles — @ 11:53 pm
Source: Modern Mechanix ( More articles from this issue )
Issue: May, 1936
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Packing Thrills in a Motorcycle T.T. Track

by WALTER E. BURTON

ONE of America’s newest and most exciting sports is misnamed: there should be an “N” between the initials of T. T. racing, for there are few forms of excitement that contain more high-explosive qualities than this motorcycle pastime.

A T. T. race is an American, and usually a miniature, version of the famous Tourist Trophy races held yearly on the Isle of Man. It is a motorcycle contest packed with thrills, spills, dust, speed, breath-taking moments and a lot of fun for everyone concerned. It looks like an elaborate and noisy way of committing suicide; but surprisingly few bones have been broken in such competitions. In fact, women riders frequently tackle the milder parts of a T. T. course.
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June 11, 2008

The Scooter Goes To Town (Aug, 1939)

Filed under: Motorcycles — @ 12:50 am
Source: Popular Mechanics ( More articles from this issue )
Issue: Aug, 1939
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The Scooter Goes To Town

Last year only 5,000 motor scooters were turned out by all the companies in the field. This year, one Chicago company expects to build 10,000 units. The motor scooter is a sturdy little workhorse, as well as a pleasure vehicle.

Production of motorized scooters is an infant industry that is growing fast. Left, three-wheel car, one of the adaptations of the scooter.
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June 2, 2008

Motorcycle Is Knee-High on Airplane Tail Wheels (Nov, 1938)

Filed under: Motorcycles — @ 11:18 pm
Source: Popular Mechanics ( More articles from this issue )
Issue: Nov, 1938
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Motorcycle Is Knee-High on Airplane Tail Wheels
Only knee-high to a motor “cop,” a miniature motorcycle built in Los Angeles rolls along the highway at forty miles an hour on two airplane tail wheels. It stands twenty inches high and weighs only sixty-one pounds. Powered by a two and one-half horsepower outboard motor, this midget bike has made a hundred-mile round trip to the top of Mount Wilson, taking steep hills readily and traveling 150 miles on a gallon of gasoline. The frame was cut down from an old bicycle and reinforced. Throttle, spark and cut-out switch and brake lever are mounted on the handlebars. A friction generator for the lights operates off the rear wheel.

May 29, 2008

AMAZING TWO-WHEEL AUTO (Aug, 1955)

Filed under: Motorcycles — @ 2:48 am
Source: Mechanix Illustrated ( More articles from this issue )
Issue: Aug, 1955
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AMAZING TWO-WHEEL AUTO
The Bi-Autogo’s designer was only 24 when he conceived this sleek and powerful vehicle intended for early car connoisseurs.

BACK in 1908, James Scripps Booth, well-known artist-engineer of Detroit, felt that the standard auto was somewhat prosaic. He believed something should be done toward instilling novelty and new sporting enthusiasm into motoring for hobbyists attracted by more costly cars. Read the rest of this entry »

May 7, 2008

The New 1951 Harley-Davidson HYDRA-GLIDE (Nov, 1950)

Filed under: Advertisements, Motorcycles — @ 9:56 pm
Source: Popular Mechanics ( More articles from this issue )
Issue: Nov, 1950
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What a Honey!

The New 1951 Harley-Davidson HYDRA-GLIDE

SLEEK, smooth and beautiful. And what a performer. Takes off like a scared rabbit. Snuggles to the road like a clinging vine. Breezes over hills like a bird. Whisks you over rough spots with cloud-like ease … brings you thrill after thrill as you take in exciting race meets, hillclimbs, gypsy tours, sightseeing runs and other exclusive motorcycling fun events. You’ve never really been places and seen things until you’ve ridden this dazzler! Every moment in the saddle is fascinating. Every trip brings new adventures and new companionships. See your dealer today. Mail the coupon now.

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