Wednesday, April 1, 2015

Today in motorcycle history, April 1, 1905

    

  





  The short-lived Black Diamond Motorcycle announces it's arrival to the motorcycle-hungry masses with a Press Release in "Cycle and Automobile Journal".





  Black Diamond was manufactured by Reeser & Mackenzie (R&M) who decided to enter the new motorcycle market after being a successful builder of air compressors and light machinery. They were located at 1100 Betz Building in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Originally on the corner of Broad and Penn Square the building was demolished in 1926 to make way for the Lincoln-Liberty Building.


  R&M's Black Diamond featured their innovated "flexible chain-drive", friction clutch, 22" loop frame, 2" tires and a 52" wheelbase, 2 5/8" bore x 3 3/8" stroke, 2hp, 300cc (18.26 c.i.) single-cylinder motor. All this for only $185.00.






  Kiss has a song called "Black Diamond" which was included on their self-titled first lp. The song has no mention of motorcycles.









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