Friday, September 5, 2014

Today in motorcycle history, September 5, 1899


  
  

  
  

  


  I came across this bit of motorcycle history and being the kind sort that I am I thought I'd share it with you.


     San Francisco Call, Volume 86, Number 97, 5 September 1899

                                   Fast Time on Motorcycle.

  NEW YORK. Sept. 4.— The cycle race meet of the Atlantic Athletic Association at Manhattan Beach today drew 3000 people. The main event was a twenty-five mile *motorcycle tandem race. First money was won by J. W. Judge and Charles W. Miller, the six-day champion rider, and their time of 39 minutes 58 seconds beat the world's record on any class of machine. J. Stinson and I. Stafford were second; time, 41 minutes 2.5 seconds. Harry Caldwell and H. Ragen were third; time, 42 minutes 30 3.5 seconds.



  *The bikes were all fitted with small, lightweight four-cycle De Dion-Bouton engines. The French motor was popular among turn-of-the-century builders of moto-bicycles, with a bore and stroke of 50 mm x 70 mm they were capable of nearly 1.5 hp.







  Today in motorcycle history proudly supports the National Association for Bikers with a Disability (NABD).  www.nabd.org.uk