Perhaps you have never seen the figure of these classic motorcycles before. This is one of the vintage four-cylinder motorcycles that were manufactured from 1913 until 1917 by Militaire Auto Company of Buffalo New York.
The
Militaire motorcycle departed sharply from conventional forms in design and construction and was apparently conceived as a two-wheeled car.
The original vehicle, powered by a single-cylinder, has hub-center
steering, a steering wheel and retractable outrigger wheels at the rear. But later the single-cylinder engine had been replaced by a four-cylinder,
and the steering wheel was supplanted by handlebars. The automotive-style frame and rear idler wheels remained.
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| 1915 Militaire Model 2 vintage motorcycle. (Picture from: http://adf.ly/1cJBov) |
As we all seen now, these antique motorcycles used a 68 cubic-inch, 1,065 cc engine delivered better than 11 horsepower through a three-speed and reverse floor shift transmission and shaft drive. The wheelbase, like the early Henderson, was 65 inches. The wooden artillery wheels carried 28-inch x 3 clincher tires.
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| Right side view of 1915 Militaire Model 2 vintage motorcycle. (Picture from: http://adf.ly/1cJBov) |
- wooden artillery wheels with 28-inch x 3 clincher tires,
- a curved front axel on which the front bearing slid in order to make a turn,
- a car like three-speed “on the floor” type stick shift plus reverse gear,
- shaft drive through beveled gears with an enclosed ring gear and pinion at the rear wheel and on the side,
- retractable outrigger wheels which also has a big advantage when waiting for the traffic lights.
The foot lever operated wheels retract like landing gear on an aircraft. You can stop to a complete standstill and accelerate again without taking your feet from the footboards.
Kept spur your adrenaline on the power of the two-wheeled monster and stay alive with true safety riding. God will forgive Your sins.... *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | MECUM AUCTIONS | HOTRODPEEPS]
