the machines sold to the public as well. Remember
that mention of the U.S. Excelsior Motor Company?
Well, they can be thanked for being a
huge driving force for improvement
and enhancement helping that bike
parked in your driveway today to do
more for you than just take you from
point A to point B.
Feeling the Need, the
Need for Speed
Right about this time, while the
Wright Brothers are making quite a
name for themselves buzzing around
the skies and Model T’s are rolling
off Henry Ford’s assembly lines;
changes continue in the motorcycle
world through the early 1900’s.
Once manufacturers had tackled the
basic change-over from a bicycle to
a motorcycle, the evolution of these
beloved machines continued and began
to be driven by a new sport--motorcycle
racing. As motorcycle racing began drawing large
crowds, racings brought increased need for comfort,
safety, speed, and more speed.
While numerous small companies throughout Europe
were involved in the racing industry, many operated
only a short time before ceasing production. One
highly notable advancement that came from across
the pond occurred in 1908 was the development of
telescopic pneumatic suspension system. The new
suspension designs made their way from England to
the US, and the result was well received. After all, who
doesn’t appreciate a ride that doesn’t end with your
body aching and the famed “iron butt”?
Meanwhile, in the States, motorcycle racing popularity
was increasing minute by the minute. Early racing
was actually held on horse racing ovals or bicycle
velodromes, but by 1909 construction of wooden
tracks specifically designed for motorcycles began to
appear. They called these tracks motordromes, and
10 Thunder Roads Magazine® Colorado
they were circuits of 1.25 miles constructed out of 2 x 2
and 4 x 4 lumber. They featured severely turned banks
which allowed riders to reach speeds
previously unseen in the motorcycle
world. Unfortunately crashes were
frequent and horrific in the racing world.
Riders who went down faced being
impaled by the wooden track, and that
was often fatal. Despite the dangers
of racing, people flocked to watch,
and the riders wanted more and more
speed. This need for speed resulted
in demands for more powerful,
versatile, and comfortable machines
and the American manufacturers
were ready to satisfy that need.
While Indian and Harley-Davidson
continued to keep up with the times
and improve their production models,
there were two other companies
whose focus was simply SPEED.
These people helped ensure that
today you can pass everyone in that
fast lane and wear a smile while doing it.
The Waltham Manufacturing Company was actually
founded in 1893, but it wasn’t until 1903 that they
would commence production of the famous “Orient
Racing Bicycles”. These bikes were first introduced to
the world at the Charles River Race Track in Boston,
at what would become the first recorded motorcycle
speed event in the United States. The Orient set a tack
time of 7 minutes over a 5 mile course. Not bad for a
first run, but exhibiting the primal need to go faster, to
push the limit, they went on to develop an improved
4 HP, 1,000 cc V-Twin that powered the Marsh-Metz
before the company’s motorcycle division went bellyup in 1908.
The other, more familiar, US name in motorcycle
racing was Excelsior Motor Company. Though the
company operated overseas as well, the US division
began operations in 1905. A Chicago based division;
Excelsior’s first motorcycle was a 21 cubic inch, 344
December 2015
www.thunderroadscolorado.com