It embodies a century of innovation and technological advancements.
It's now possible for anyone with sufficient financial means to purchase a bike that boasts 200 horsepower, advanced electronics, and aerodynamic fairings that were developed using wind tunnel technology.
Over a century ago, motorcycles were a distinct species, characterized by their raw, experimental nature, and often alarmingly rapid speed for their era.
At a recent Mecum auction.
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The Cyclone was manufactured by the Joerns Motor Manufacturing Company in St. Paul, Minnesota. It was an innovative motorcycle for its time, differing from other motorcycles of the era. Most motorcycles in the early 20th century used basic side-valve or pushrod engines, but the Cyclone featured a 61 cubic inch (996cc) V-twin engine with an overhead camshaft (OHC), a design that wouldn’t become standard until many years after its creation. The Cyclone produced 45 horsepower, making it an exceptionally powerful motorcycle, capable of reaching speeds of over 100 miles per hour.
Despite its success in performance and engineering, the Cyclone's production was short-lived. Joerns only manufactured the Cyclone from 1913 to 1916, facing financial difficulties and struggling to produce the intricate engine design on a large scale.
Currently, it's estimated that there are only 14 Cyclones globally, with just five of them being in racing condition. This example is particularly exceptional.
This motorcycle was meticulously restored by Stephen Wright, a renowned expert in early American motorcycle restoration. His craftsmanship guaranteed that every screw and bolt was preserved in its original condition, a testament to his exceptional skill and attention to detail, and a true delight for motorcycle enthusiasts and purists alike.
This bike was far more advanced than its contemporaries. Collectors consider it the ultimate early American motorcycle, a machine that not only broke speed records but also pioneered engineering techniques that wouldn't be fully understood until many years later.
This specific 1915 Cyclone Roadster boasts several notable features. It sports a yellow steel gas tank with matching fenders, just as it was originally designed, along with a leaf spring front fork and a rigid rear frame. Interestingly, this setup was considered quite advanced for its time.
The single-speed transmission with a foot-operated clutch was characteristic of early motorcycles, while the Schebler carburetor and Bosch magneto ignition provided simple yet effective power delivery. A 2-into-1 black exhaust system gave the Cyclone its distinctive appearance, and the chain drive system differentiated it from the more common belt-driven motorcycles of that era.
With such a small number of this model still in existence and in good condition, it's no wonder it fetched a price in the six figures at auction. To collectors, owning a Cyclone is like possessing a piece of motorcycle history itself.
Continuously advance performance to the highest level. It's astonishing to consider how much motorcycles have progressed in the past century - what was once a remarkable 45 horsepower is now a standard 200+ horsepower. Where will the next century of innovation lead us? This is a question that only the future can answer.
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