Harley's that never were...

[Mr.B.]

While searching “Google Patent” earlier today I came across some interesting Harley concepts that never made it to market.

Attached: A couple of plates from 1913 for a rear single recessed coil spring suspension unlike anything I’ve ever seen before...

-Kirk

 

[Mr.B.]

A 1918 leaf spring rear suspension somewhat similar to Indian’s cradle system introduced in 1913. But it also has an internal dampening coil spring.

Interestingly enough Harley didn’t actually have rear suspension until 1952.

-Kirk

 

[Mr.B.]

A 1919 twin frame constructed with stamped metal rails instead of tubes... And rivets!

-Kirk

 

[Mr.B.]

A stamped metal frame option for the Model W sport (1919 to 1923)...

Looks like it must of had the fuel tank incorporated right inside the frame.

There’s a ton of info to be found there and it's a good potential source for inspiration!!!

I’m going to look up some other brands soon.

If anyone finds anything else cool, please share!

-Kirk

 

[motorhedfred]

Sheesh, they were toying with some pretty advanced ideas way back then. The first one reminds me of the Vincent rear suspensions of the 50s.

MHF

 

[harry76]

How cool would it be if one of us were to build one of these designs..... sadly its far beyond my capabilities :-(

 

[cobrafreak]

Nice ideas!

 

[wayne z]

Hey Mrb, those are great! Can you find on of those type views of a springer type rear suspension with the short verticaly mounted springs on the axle?
Thanks in advance if you or someone could.

 

[Mr.B.]

These are for Silver Bear & Fasteddie...

A interesting design for a clip-on passenger carrier dated June 6th ‘07 (application filed 5-5-’06)

and

The January 29th 1907 (application filed 11-27-’05) Oscar Hedstrum design for the Indian Tri-car attachment.

The clip-on clearly has a Indian cycle in the drawing, likely a deliberate attempt to market the item to them.

Too Mr. Razoux missed the boat!

Interesting they both have descriptions that include bicycles.

I think a clip-on inspired build might actually be a cool project!

Imma looking for a old wicker lawn chair...

-Kirk

 

[Mr.B.]

Hey Mrb, those are great! Can you find on of those type views of a springer type rear suspension with the short verticaly mounted springs on the axle?
Thanks in advance if you or someone could.

.


This?

 

[Mr.B.]

This is just too crazy not to post!

-Kirk

 

[fasteddy]

Mr.B,
Thank you for posting the blue prints of the Indian tricar. The first one was someone elses idea of a tricar attachment but the last two were the actual application for the Indian tricar itself and answered most of the questions that I was trying to figure out from the photos that on the internet. Measurements would have helped but this put's me way ahead of the game.

Steve.

 

[Lurker]

Thanks for sharing this stuff Mr. B, I didn't know google had a patent search feature.

 

[Allen_Wrench]

This is just too crazy not to post!

-Kirk

A bicycle-powered harvester. I guess if you want to sweat like a rainstorm and have thighs like tree-trunks, nothing says "workout" like a bicycle-powered harvester.

 

[Velodrome]

Look Closer. Looks like they gots motors. Still a whack job of an Idea.

 

[silverbear]

Yes,
Thanks for posting the tri-car patents. Steve nearly went blind trying to see how the front end was put together from the few photos available. Apparently what he came up with was very close.
SB

 

[MaximusPrime]

If I am not mistaken the rear coil suspension is somewhat similar to Trimph track bikes that were made during the 1950s...

There is an old boil maker welder guy that lives near me and he has a restored triumph on a 1954 frame that is a solid frame with a floating rear axle for a suspension in a similar spring track....

I may be wrong on the years but I know I have seen a similar design on a working motorcycle....

 

[wayne z]

If I am not mistaken the rear coil suspension is somewhat similar to Trimph track bikes that were made during the 1950s...

There is an old boil maker welder guy that lives near me and he has a restored triumph on a 1954 frame that is a solid frame with a floating rear axle for a suspension in a similar spring track....

I may be wrong on the years but I know I have seen a similar design on a working motorcycle....

Yeah, There used to be an aftermarket "bolt on softtail" for harleys and triumph ect that had shorter, straight springs.
That is the plan I would like to see. I would like to try build a rear springer suspension for myself.

 

[Mr.B.]

Yeah, There used to be an aftermarket "bolt on softtail" for harleys and triumph ect that had shorter, straight springs.

I remember those, a lot of chopper guys used them in the late 60's & early 70's!

FE & SB, Here’s a link the google page about the Indian Tri-car...

http://www.google.com/patents?id=uB...AEwBA#v=onepage&q=hedstrom motorcycle&f=false

You can enlarge the image and see the written description there...

-Kirk

 

[Mr.B.]

Attached here a early front leaf spring suspension that’s somewhat similar to what Indian & Excelsior used in the ‘teens.

I couldn’t find the actual Indian design patent, but it might be out there...?

Also a 1911 “cushion” design looking like a style that was popular early on in England & Europe-

And of course Schwinn bicycles in the 1950’s

And more recently poorly chromed Chinese knock off's!

“-)

-Kirk