Test

[Navyguy]

Wow thanks for the replies, I was going to delete the thread after the test, but I guess "I" can't do that. To answer the questions, I have a full size picture at home and the tank reads xcelsior (hope I spelled that right), the company is still around but smaller. My great Granddad raced while in the army, he also did trick riding, sadly, I don't know much about my family history, (wasn't intrested as a kid) but I am going to work on a family tree when I get home and can talk to my Grand parents. Yes it gives me justification, this picture helped me convince my wife I "needed" a Harley, family pride and tradition.

[Scott Gilmore]

... To answer the questions, I have a full size picture at home and the tank reads xcelsior (hope I spelled that right), the company is still around but smaller. ...

Yes, it's an Excelsior (pre-Henderson from the date). It's an atmospheric side valve V-twin (air cooled, of course) that appears to be set up for either flat track, or perhaps even board track racing. The rear wheel is almost certainly driven by a leather belt. It didn't have a clutch in the normal sense -- the rider engaged the belt by rolling forward and increasing the tension on the belt on the pulleys.

It took mui grande huevos to race a bike without any front brake (and only the rumor of a rear brake, if any at all) back then. No suspension to speak of either. Racing deaths were fairly common.

Nice photo. You're right to treasure it. Thanks for posting.
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[Alan H]

GREAT picture.... I really enjoyed that.

[mbhandy]

It took mui grande huevos to race a bike without any front brake (and only the rumor of a rear brake, if any at all) back then. No suspension to speak of either. Racing deaths were fairly common.
.

Not only all that but only a leather helmet. mui grande huevos


MrBill

[Zardoz]

Excelsior started selling bikes in 1908,with a belt drive 500cc single. The V-twin (as pictured) came along in 1910, first with a 820cc engine then 1000cc's after 1911. They were well regarded and very successful racers, holding many early records. They shut down in 1931.

Maybe but it's one of my areas of interest :rolleyes:

[Scott Gilmore]

Excelsior started selling bikes in 1908,with a belt drive 500cc single. The V-twin (as pictured) came along in 1910, first with a 820cc engine then 1000cc's after 1911. They were well regarded and very successful racers, holding many early records. They shut down in 1931.

Maybe [off topic] but it's one of my areas of interest ...

Yes, we are digressing here, sorry, but Excelsior was around in 1903, and even earlier. It was founded as the Excelsior Supply Company, originally a bicycle manufacturer. But you're right, they apparently didn't build their first motorcycle until 1905 (according to one source I found). Still, oddly, there are some representations of 1902 and 1903 Excelsiors out there that seem to be reputable.


1903 Excelsior 550cc with wicker sidecar


1902 Excelsior


1903 Excelsior

Having said that, you're certainly right about the pictured racer - it's newer than nineteen-oh-anything. For one thing I was wrong about the drive, which on second glance isn't leather at all (though it could well have been if it really was a pre-1910 model). It looks more like an early teens model maybe??

One way or the other, that's a nice photo. Interesting looking character in the saddle, too. Glad to see it posted.
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[Zardoz]

Scott, to go even farther into the realm of off topic digression.... The bikes you pictured are indeed Excelsiors, but not from Chicago! They were made by the British Excelsior company in Coventry England.(notice the sidecar is on the left side, Sidecars are trditionally on the curb side, US hacks are on the right) They started in 1896 as a bicycle company, put out their first motorcycle in 1902, and unlike the US company , stayed around until the 1960s.

[Scott Gilmore]

Scott, to go even farther into the realm of off topic digression.... The bikes you pictured are indeed Excelsiors, but not from Chicago! They were made by the British Excelsior company in Coventry England........

I'm so confused!!! . . . . . (Thanks for the clarification - I think.)

So, nice picture, innit? :)

[Navyguy]

Excelsior started selling bikes in 1908,with a belt drive 500cc single. The V-twin (as pictured) came along in 1910, first with a 820cc engine then 1000cc's after 1911. They were well regarded and very successful racers, holding many early records. They shut down in 1931.

Maybe but it's one of my areas of interest :rolleyes:

Maybee I'm wrong about the year. (I probably am.) I will call my mom hho has the original and the date is written on the back. I know that it was taken on july 4th after taking first place in an Army race, I think in South Carolina. Dont shun me cause I got the year wrong please. LOL