OK, boys and girls, it is that time of year in NE Ohio, when we muddle through usually snowy, icy days of cabin fever and drag our pale skinned selves out to whatever will entertain us within the confines of warmth and dry conditions. This year, mother nature has been kind and the amount of snow and cold has been minimal, however the amount of rain has been abundant thus far. It was a dry and cold day that I ventured up to the Warren, Ohio Packard Museum to check out their annual motorcycle show.
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| 1909 ROYAL PIONEER |
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| 1902 SYLVESTER & JONES |
This year's show was a tribute to the various motors that have graced two wheel frames over the years. The show immediately immerses you in the early years, with the introduction to a 1909 Royal Pioneer manufactured in Worster, MA. This single cylinder 4-stroke came out with an
innovative pull rod overhead valve setup for improved flow and efficiency. The exposed valve train parts let you see how the design worked, flowing exhaust through the frame to cool it.
I totally get into the mechanics of how these early builders tied the components together to function. In this case, the rod fascinated me. And the assembly of the belt.
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| 1954 NIMBUS FROM DENMARK |
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This 1902 Sylvester & Jones, another Massachusetts original from Weymounth, in a 1902 sweetheart. The single cylinder 4 stroke, one of about a dozen to have been manufactured, is a reconstruction with as many parts as were available. The unique engine design incorporated two exhaust systems. Many of these 100 plus year old motorcycles must be rebuilt usi
ng original photographs and remanufactured components. In this case, Bruce Linsday of Chagrin Falls, OH constructed the frame and metal fuel tank based on photographs.
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| 1912 INDIAN |
This Nimbus 1954 inline 4 cylinder, OH cam motorcycle from Denmark was intriguing to me. The flat steel strap frame is rare for motorcycles, with the top half of the crankcase case in one piece with the ribbed, air cooled cylinder block. This bike was commonly utilized by postal departments and military and had exposed rocker arms. This bike produced 18HP at 4,000 RPM. Unfortunately, this was one of many displays that was poorly accessible to the two wheel enthusiasts due to the display.
On display was the only belt drive offered by Indian. The 1912 model was manufactured in MA ... hmmm go figure, Never really a popular model, thus making this model a unique specimen.
It was a bit disappointing that access to the display was so limited. The museum chose to coral many of the bikes in a back corner so it was impossible to get up close and personal. Here are a few more pics. A great display.... unfortunately not so well coordinated.
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| Yup... an actual diesel motor on a motorcycle... remember, the show featured motors |
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| Can you imagine trying to lift this beast??? |
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| This Thor supposedly still runs well. |
OK, boys and girls, it is that time of year in NE Ohio, when we muddle through usually snowy, icy days of cabin fever and drag our pale skinned selves out to whatever will entertain us within the confines of warmth and dry conditions. This year, mother nature has been kind and the amount of snow and cold has been minimal, however the amount of rain has been abundant thus far. It was a dry and cold day that I ventured up to the Warren, Ohio Packard Museum to check out their annual motorcycle show.
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