Constructs Novel Motorcycle (Nov, 1938)
Constructs Novel Motorcycle
POWERED by a four-cylinder motor, a motorcycle constructed by Raymond Courtney, of Lansing, Mich., features a specially designed, streamlined sheet-metal body which is said to increase road speed about 20 m.p.h. Sections of the body are easily removed, facilitating repairs or adjustments. The novel motorcycle is equipped with hydraulic brakes, both front and rear, and the unusually small wheels are fitted with airplane tires, providing the machine with an extremely low center of gravity. The wheel turrets are so constructed that one is used as a gasoline tank while the other three are used to carry small luggage.
Must be one of the most beautiful motorcycles ever. And it’s restored: http://www.knucklebuste…
Drool… Want.
Wonder if that’s where the inspiration for the lightcycles in Tron came from?
This little bugger is still kicking around in Syracuse New York… The fella that owns it currently was offered $1.5 million from Billy Joel, he turned down the offer….
https://picasaweb.googl…
Art: I doubt. In the 80′s Tron, they were designed by Syd Mead, who also brought to us eg. Blade Runner’s Spinner and Alien’s Sulaco. In Tron Legacy, they were designed by Daniel Simon. Their designs and illustrations can be found all over the net.
Thats a sweet ride, and I love the hand shifter!
The restoration is amazing!
FWIW, here’s an incredible Henderson V6:
http://flemur13013.imgu…
Flemur: Thanks for the link, it really is incredible.
Wouldn’t using unusually small wheels give a lower speed?
Stephen – no, you’d just gear it up.
Ever seen small-wheel folding bicycles? They generally have a smaller rear sprocket to raise the gear ratios. Shimano makes a special rear hub/sprocket system called the “Capreo” that goes down to a 9-tooth sprocket (conventional gears are limited to an 11T, so a 9T give a 22% higher gear), for example.