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It’s not every day that you meet a motorcycle more than a century old, but here she is. The story starts in 1876, when George Robie, son of a German immigrant , founded a company called the Excelsior Supply Company, specializing in sewing machine parts. Eventually, the company branched into bicycles. Robie’s son, Frederick, was instrumental in the introduction of the company’s first name-brand motorcycle in 1907. Success was instant, and the company soon made a V-twin. An Excelsior was the first motorcycle clocked at 100 mph in the US. That impressive feat was perhaps the inspiration for the acquisition of Excelsior Supply by Ignaz Schwinn in 1912. Alas, the Great Depression was unkind to all but the most robust businesses and Schwinn closed Excelsior in 1931.
Excelsior’s motorcycle dreams were fired by Walter Hechscher, who began customizing De Dion-Bouton single-cylinder engines to install in his own motorcycles in about 1905. These displaced about 21 cu in., enough to propel his bikes to about 35 mph. Excelsior purchased Hechscher’s operation, increasing production to meet strong demand. Later, the engine was enlarged to 30 cu. in. It features an atmospheric intake valve, battery ignition, and belt drive – via a wide leather strap. Here’s a close-up showing how the belt (missing on this example) works against the drive wheel – note the frame zig-zagging around to accommodate its placement. The brakes are rear coaster type. This ‘cycle spent many years in a German museum; it’s missing a few components required to make it run, but the motor is said to have “great compression”.
The front forks supply only modest absorption of road variances, and the rear provides none, so most of the rider’s comfort derives from the slender seat and whatever the tires afford. The seller notes that the tires do hold air but need to be replaced. This exact Excelsior Auto Cycle was presented for sale at Bonham’s in 2016, where it was a no-sale. Another derelict example sold for $29,700 at Mecum about a year ago.
Excelsior innovated the flat gas tank sandwiched between frame rails, a feature that was adopted by other makers in later years. Currently, this Auto Cycle is listed here on eBay, with bidding at $9100, reserve not met. A clue to the reserve is in the Bonham’s listing above, and here in this contemporary listing at Classic Motorcycle Consignments – a cool $45,500. The bike is located in Apache Junction, Arizona, but it would have been manufactured in Chicago. If “Chicago” and “Robie” are familiar to those of you who are fans of architecture – good for you: Frederick Robie’s wife was friends with Frank Lloyd Wright, who built a spectacular home for the young couple, now called the Robie House. Tours are conducted Thursday through Monday, in case you are in the vicinity.
