Pre 1930 factory backed American racing motorcycles.

I have tried to post at least one picture from every American motorcycle manufacture that produced a competition bike(s) before the stock market crash. I tried to find a vintage photo as well as a modern restored version. So far I have come up with 30 manufacturers with factory backed competition bikes! Some grey area comes with the mergers, name changes and buy-outs. The Manufactures are posted in alphabetical order. I am not claiming to be an expert on these bikes. My research is limited to a few books and the internet (everything on the internet is true, right?!). I am still amazed at the amount of innovation prior to the market crash in 1929. My main resources for compiling the list are American Racing Motorcycles by Jerry Hatfield, American Racer 1900-1940 by Stephen Wright and Standard Catalog of American Motorcycles 1898-1981 by Jerry Hatfield. If anyone out there has an additional manufacture or photos to add please contact me at norgrovedave@hotmail.com.
Enjoy!

ACE.


Apache.

Bradley.

California.

Cleveland.


Comet.



I believe these Comet bikes are replicas with Spacke engines.

Curtiss.



Cyclone.

Dayton with Spake engine.
Emblem.


Erie.


Excelsior.


Harley Davidson.


Henderson.


Indian.


Jefferson.


Lake.

A recreation based around an original engine, photos and blueprints.

Marsh.

Merged with Metz motorcycle company in 1906. Became Marsh-Metz or "M-M".

Merkel.


Earlier known as Light, Merkel light and Thor-bred.

Minneapolis.


Mitchell.

In 1902 a Mitchell set the first 24hr. record. The bike traveled 634 1/4 miles.

Orient.

Peerless.

Pope.


Racycle.

Another re-creation I believe. Racycle eventually bought Merkel and started producing the Flying Merkel.

Reading Standard.




Thomas Auto-Bi.

Winner of the first motorcycle economy run in the United States. Set the trans-continental motorcycle record in 1905.

Thor.


Waverly.

Part of the family of bikes made up by Kenzler-Waverly, Waverly, Jefferson and P.E.M. All used engines designed by Perry E. Mack.

Yale.