February 23, 2012
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Thank you to everyone who commented on the motorcycle photo on the HVA website and the HVA’s Facebook page.
The motorcycle in the photo is a 1905 Reading Standard.
The Reading Standard was a product of the Reading Standard Manufacturing Company, which was founded in 1896. Production consisted of both bicycles and “motor bicycles,” the earliest of which were marketed under the R-S name. This 1905 Reading Standard was powered by a single-cylinder Thor engine producing 1 ¾ horsepower. It may not have seemed like much, but it was enough to propel the machine to 35 miles per hour, which seems fast on a modern road bike. For 1905 the model was called “Thoroughbred.” The original price was $210. In 1923, Reading Standard was absorbed by The Cleveland Motorcycle Company and soon the brand name faded away.
And the winner of the contest – Jodi Wingler from Danville, IN!
For guessing correctly Jodi Wingler will receive a free HVA ballcap. The same cap is available here, in the online store.
Jodi is the proud owner of a 1972 Chevrolet Pickup "Erma Jane".
Rayce (Pat) Hall Los Lunas, New Mexico
I think this is a 1913 Harley Davidson. Sure hope I'm right.
g penick tallahassee fl
1912 Henderson........a wild guess.
penick tallahassee fl
1912 henderson
Jeff Roessler San Clemente, CA
I'm going to guess that its a Curtiss...of aviator Glen Curtiss fame.
Bob Chamberlin Lockport IL
I believe your mystery motorcycle is a 1907 Emblem.
Jim Saccomanno Brewster,NY
Picture is of a 1904 Rambler Motorcycle
jeff hughes salem va
1957 motebacane
Larry Swofford Austin, Texas
The motorcycle that is in this month's 'best guess' contest appears to be a Reading Standard... maybe the 'Emblem' model (I think that was what is may have been called. The thing that puzzled me with your photo was that I through they made a few changes to the engine externals or engine sheet metal to distinguish it from the 1903 Indian motorcycle engine...which is what it really looks like... Thanks for putting this out there... Larry
Bob Schneider Scottsdale, AZ
1901 Indian
Dennis boston, MA
Is that a 1904 Reading Standard?
jim ish petaluma ca
could be a vintage indian
PETER DAVIS Jonesborough, TN
1907 Light
Rick Jolly Kane, PA
It is a 1901 Holley motorcycle.
It is a 1901 Holley, manufactured by the Holley brothers in Bradford, PA, appros. 30 miles from where I live.
BILL LANE KIRKVILLE NY
1905 READING STANDARD
BILL LANE kirkville ny
1905 reading standard
Warren Bullock Paradise Ca
This appears to be a 1906 Reading standard. very few changes were made from 1904-1906 for these bikes.
Debbie Dellera columbia, sc
Harley Davidson 1901
Tom Brekhus Dallas, TX
1906 Reading Standard motorcycle.
bill gibson Burtonsville, MD
I think it's a Thomas Pre 1910..... Probably 1902...
Richard Ferrero Brewster, NY
1902 Indian
Duane Quenzel Horsham, Pa.
1903 American bicycle from San Francisco
R. C. Kimm Phoeniz, Az
1901 Indian. I think the later models had the gas-tank over the rear wheel and were refered to as "Camelbacks".
george hammen NC
Still looks like a 1905 Indian, even with the Reading Standard box
george hammen United States
1906 Reading Standard motorcycle. It won the Pikes Peake climb that year
1902 California motorcycle Made in San Francisco
Steve Wood Chicagoland
It is a 1905 Reading Standard model Thoroughbred.
David Hopkins Little Rock
I think it's a 1904 Reading Standard
John Bauer il.
I think it's a 1902 Indian
R Hall Ohio
1903 reading standard
John A MD
Early First Model Wright Brothers Patent MC