Inspiration

Similar story with Deluxe and the Sears brand, somehow the Sears bike just wasn't taken very serious so on with other stuff.
 
I still wonder why so many manufacturers around the world failed to use more pressed steel in their frame and engine structures.
 
I don't think stamped steel panned out till the 30's. (get it "panned out")
you see it more in cars transitioning from flat steel over a wood frame in the 20's to stamped steel panels tack welded together of the thirty's.

Here's a good example.
 
Ludwig II said:
I still wonder why so many manufacturers around the world failed to use more pressed steel in their frame and engine structures.
Click to expand...

I think the lack of adequate electrically generated welding must of been a limiting factor too. It’s pretty hard to arc or torch weld sheet metal together with out blowing holes through it.

Wire feed & shielding gas (mig) wasn’t even available until the 1920’s with a lot of the credit for it’s development going to the germans. Which might explain the popularity of this type of construction for so many of the German bikes from the early 30’s on.

My 2 cents...

A couple of earlier (“partial”) exceptions to the standard of cast steel lugs & braised tubing construction would be:

The Militaire which used a low riding riveted frame much like a automobile,

And the Schickel which used a large cast aluminum fuel tank + seat tube + steering tube combination with the rear triangle and the (rather short) down tubes simply bolted on...

However both still used some braised components.

-Kirk
 

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I remember when the first Honda's came out in the early 60's and we looked at the pressed steel frames and wondered how long they would last. Unfortunately a lot longer than our Triumphs and BSA's, ect.

The Militare company was called the Militare Automobile Co. They were in Buffalo N.Y. and didn't sell to the military as they had hoped since they didn't do very well off road. Well named as they had wooden wheels and as Mr B. said a very automobile like frame as well as automobile type springs for the front suspension.

Wonder what kind of motor a fella could use if he were to make a close copy?

Steve.
 
The Militaire was some sort of straight 4, without looking it up.

Heretic, that's a Nimbus, probably the only source of an engine these days affordably that would look ok in a Militaire.
 
Perhaps a small 4 bank turned sideways might make a interesting power plant...?

As in this recent AMD winner with a Honda CB550 mil...

http://thekneeslider.com/rambler-inline-4-from-cook-customs/

I have ‘82 shaft drive Yamaha XJ650 (minus the engine) in my shed and I’ve been thinking about doing something like this myself-

Just as soon as I get my other 7000 projects done first- Ha!

-Kirk
 
Here is a little inspiration for the holiday spirit of giving, 55 bicycles were raffled among 10,000 other misc. toy's given out at our annual Church Christmas Celebration In The Park, we had three pick up loads of fried chicken,2-50Gal barrels of potato salad 500 lbs of green salad 3000 bread rolls 300 gals of punch for 1,000 people and we also gave out bags of groceries.
 

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Several years ago, I owned a 74 Honda 350 4. This was the smallest 4 they produced, but it didn't last long because it cost almost same as 550. That rambler bike makes me wish I still had that sweet running little motor.
 
New Pope in Rome..., Ha “-)

That Benelli 250 is intriguing...

Looks like it’s very short front to back including the tranny.

-Kirk
 
Have you ever ridden an Italian sports moped? It's 2 steps away from being a minimoto and a 250 will carry on the general trend.
 
Mr. B,

I do indeed like the idea of the Honda four. I still once in a while sneak over and look at the Militare while plotting how a close copy could be built. Model T wheels and the Honda motor into maybe a Crosley transmission to a rear wheel with a shaft drive.
Then I realize I have a better chance of waking up in the morning looking like Marilyn Monroe at twenty than ever building it.

A Henderson looks almost like would be easier to do or maybe a cycle car. The possibilities are endless however lifetime isn't.

Steve.
 
Yea verily!

I have 2 lifetimes of projects lined up already & perhaps only 1/3 left of one to get them done!

Not to mention all the necessary time consuming work to pay the bills that keeps getting in the way!

L II, never owned or even ridden anything Italian...

But I do have a line on a very affordable basket case “Harley” Rapido- Another project! Ha!
 
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