Born 2 Ride – America on Two Wheels

[PAULBACH]

Born 2 Ride – America on Two Wheels
http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g264/PaulBach/Born%202%20Ride/BornToRide.jpg

Did you miss the motorcycle show at the Guggenheim (http://www.guggenheim.org/exhibitions/past_exhibitions/motorcycle/motorcycle.html)? If you live in the East you now have a second, albeit smaller, chance. Starting today and lasting until mid-July is a show in Saratoga Springs titled, Born 2 Ride – America on 2 Wheels. The next time Tessler comes on line he might add some detail about the Guggenheim Exhibit. He did play a part in that landmark exhibition.

No one needs to own a motorcycle, at least not in the same sense you own a car or a refrigerator. People own and ride motorcycles because they want to, and they want to because motorcycles bring so much joy, relaxation, and satisfaction. Steve Potter, Museum’s Executive Director.

The show focuses on the culture of the motorcycle of the motorcycle and how the motorcycle morphed to fit the times and culture of the United States.

Motorcycle journalist Ed Youngblood has loaned motorcycles to the exhibition. Other loans are from the Guggenheim and private collectors like Alice Gerhart of Pennsylvania. Gerhart loaned her Harley K a replica of the bike that Elvis rode. A complete list of the very generous contributors is found below.

Included in the show are, Willy G, Evel Knievel, Steve McQueen, Peter Fonda, Dennis Hopper, Dot Robinson Elvis Presley, Audrey Hepburn, Harvey Mushman, Cal Rayborn, Arthur Folnzarelli, Erwin Baker, Doug Domokos, Effie Hotchkiss, Beach Boys, Joe Petrali, Richy Carmichael, Rollie Free, Tammy Kirk and Kenny Howard.

There are no BMWs in the show Alan Edstrom, Director of Programs and Events said the right BMW might be included if a BMW shows up that fits the exhibit.

Come back tomorrow for another view from the exhibit. I took over 200 shots and did come away with a few good ones.

Motorcycles are on loan from

Alice Gerhart
American Suzuki,
Betty Falk
Bob McClean
Dave Mungnast Classic Motorcycles
Ed Vanaman
the Guggenheim Museum
Herb Harris
Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum
Luther Rochester of Scooterworks in Chicago
Motorcycle Hall of Fame
Nation Motorcycle Museum in Anamosa, Iowa
Tom McKee

Come to Saratoga Springs the perfect starting point for riding in the Adirondacks, the Catskills, the Green Mountains of Vermont and the Berkshires of Massachusetts. The image below was taken at the exhibit. Stay tuned for a chance to get some Karma.

[PAULBACH]

This was considered in its day to be a ground breaking accessory. What is the function of that small tank?

[130253]

Is that the tank that held the carbide for the carbide lamp.

[PAULBACH]

Very Close! Could you be a bit more specific and some special Karma will be on its way! Think of garlic.

[130253]

I don't know. Carbide is a crystal when wet produces a flamable gas. The container show on the HD has tubes running to the headlight housing. My guess inside the housing is a orifice that you light to burn the gas tht is produced. Much like the carbide lamps I played with as a kid.

[130253]

Unless it is a oil burning lamp with a wick

[PAULBACH]

Carbide is a crystal when wet produces a flammable gas.

Close enough. The gas is acetylene. The carbide crystals produced acetylene and the tank held the acetylene.

130253, please send me an email or a PM and you have won a pass to Motorcycle exhibit in Saratoga Springs. If you cannot make it before July I will post another history motorcycles questions later for another knowledgeable rider.

LATER: 130253 had to PASS on the pass so stay tuned for another chance for some Karma.

[PAULBACH]

Can you name this pioneer rider?

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g264/PaulBach/Born%202%20Ride/0319SaratogaExhibit065.jpg

The year is 1915 and this rider was the first in a special category to cross the United States by motorcycle.

Can anyone name the rider and the special category?

Karma for the first person to get it right.

[clowry]

Hey Paul,

Is that Effie Hotchkiss, with her mother Avis? The first woman (women) to cross the USA on a motorcycle.

We haven't seen this exhibit, but thoroughly enjoed "The Art of the Motorcycle" exhibit at the Reynolds in Alberta a couple of summers ago. Thanks for an interesting link!

Cheryl

[PAULBACH]

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g264/PaulBach/Born%202%20Ride/BornToRide.jpg

Cheryl,
Absolutely right and you have won a pass to the exhibit. I took "a lot" of pictures of the exhibit and they gave me some complimentary passes. So I am passing them along to folks than might use them.

In 1915 Effie Hotchkiss became the first woman to cross America on a motorcycle. Not only did she travel from New York to California, but she did it with here mother in a sidecar. On the return trip Effie stopped in Milwaukee to visit the factory where her HD was made.

To prepare for her trip Effie totally dismantled her new 1915 Harley to understand every aspect of its mechanical operation. In Ohio the roads were muddy and Effie had to remove all the fenders so the wheels could continue to run.

In Kansas the sidecar wheel collapsed and she modified a moving-machine wheel to fit. By the time they reached Arizona they had so many punctures that the inner tubes were worthless. Effie and her mother, Avis, stuffed the tires with strips of wool blankets so they could continue.

When she was in San Francisco to visit the Pan Pacific Exposition, a man stepped off the curb and Effie hit him. He invited Effie and Avis to dinner and later that year traveled to New York to propose marriage. Effie accepted.

The 1918 HD here is similar to Effie's. Her 1915 model would have been painted gray. Eddie selected a wider sidecar to provide more capacity for the trip. The motorcycle is owned by Bob McClean of Blue Grass, Iowa.

Effie's Bike
http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g264/PaulBach/Born%202%20Ride/0319SaratogaExhibit173.jpg

Closeup of old HD engine
http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g264/PaulBach/Born%202%20Ride/0319SaratogaExhibit177.jpg

[snoone]

Paul,

Where exactly in Saratoga Springs is the exhibit being held.. At some point I will certainly make it up there!!

[PAULBACH]

Saratoga Auto Museum
110 Avenue of the Pines, Saratoga Springs, NY. In addition to the motorcycle exhibit there are some great cars there.



It adjoins the Performing Arts Center just a couple of miles south of Saratoga Springs.

I live about 2 miles from the Museum and Performing Arts Center - SPAC. My location is so close to the performing arts center that mulitiple benefits accrue after every rock concert at the Center, especially when the GD come to town.

At night, if the winds "blow" just right I can catch the aroma of sweet perfume at home. The next morning I can collect enough bottles and cans to make a down payment on a new BMW.

Come on up. An escort off the Northway will await.

[PAULBACH]

Now being shown in Saratoga Springs.

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g264/PaulBach/Born%202%20Ride/BornToRide.jpg

It was not the automobile that put America on mechanical wheels. It was the motorcycle. When automobiles were still the toys of the rich, motorcycles were sold by the thousands under as many as 200 different brand names.

This rider won the first Indy on a motorcycle. The rider was a legend. and was legendary for his cross-country endurance records with both cars and motorcycles.

Karma for the first correct answer.

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g264/PaulBach/Born%202%20Ride/0319SaratogaExhibit069.jpg

This is the bike Cannonball rode.
http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g264/PaulBach/Born%202%20Ride/0319SaratogaExhibit039.jpg

[petepeterson]

:doh :doh You would think that these intellectual giants would at least get the print correct and put the carb and pipes on the right side of the bike:nyah ...........Pete

[PAULBACH]

It is possible somebody assembled the Indian incorrectly but the picture is exactly as I took the picture in the museum in Saratoga.

No photo shopping except to crop the picture.

[PAULBACH]

The answer to the first man to win at Indianapolis was Cannonball Baker. He rode aboard that red Indian pictured in post #13. The first race ever held at "Indy" was for motorcycles, not cars. The big ovals for racing including the Indianapolis Motor Speedway - were carved out of farmland.

Other stars of the era included:

"Speedy" Hasha,
Charles "Fearless" Balke
"Daredevil" Paul Derkum &
Glen "Slivers" Boyd


Boyd was named for the splinters (slivers) that riddled his body, souvenirs of crashes on treacherous wooden tracks.

[PAULBACH]

On the eve of the stock market crash, the American motorcycle industry had shrunk to only three brands: Indian, Harley Davidson and the _____________ . (fill in the blank) This brand was ridden by Charles Lindbergh. Then in 1931 Ignaz Schwinn decide to build only bicycles. Only Indian and HD remained, and by the mid-1930s, Indian was selling as few as 200 motorcycles a year and HD was down to a two-day work week.

What was the name plate that went out of production in 1931?

You say you want a hint? The nameplate is the same as one of the most famous springs that flows freely in Saratoga Springs.

A free pass to the show for the first correct answer.

[MEWAYBRIGHT]

On the eve of the stock market crash, the American motorcycle industry had shrunk to only three brands: Indian, Harley Davidson and the _____________ . (fill in the blank) This brand was ridden by Charles Lindbergh. Then in 1931 Ignaz Schwinn decide to build only bicycles. Only Indian and HD remained, and by the mid-1930s, Indian was selling as few as 200 motorcycles a year and HD was down to a two-day work week.

What was the name plate that went out of production in 1931?

You say you want a hint? The nameplate is the same as one of the most famous springs that flows freely in Saratoga Springs.

A free pass to the show for the first correct answer.

I know the answer but doubt I would make the show... so I will just sit on my hands and wait for someone to answer that can use the ticket... :wave

[PAULBACH]

Please post the answer and I will come up with another bike and/or question from the motorcycle show. It's all in good fun.

[Mar]

Motorcycle journalist Ed Youngblood has loaned motorcycles to the exhibition.

Nope. Ed is the curator of the exhibit. He doesn't own any show quality motorcycles. Well, except for an NSU that isn't finished and isn't in his possession yet.

Eventually--probably with the next update--he'll have a story about the show on his website: www.motohistory.net (click on "News & Views").

[PAULBACH]

The original story read...

Motorcycle journalist Ed Youngblood has gathered a collection of 21 unusual and in some cases, famous motorcycles for the exhibit.
...

Youngblood, 63, an Ohio resident, was on the staff of the American Motorcycle Association for 28 years and association president for 19 years. He has authored several books about motorcycles and the history of motorcycles.
He curated the Guggenheim's motorcycle exhibit, "The Art of the Motorcycle," which appeared in Guggenheim facilities in Spain, and in exhibits in Las Vegas, and Memphis.


Daily Gazette 3/19/2007, Page B2

American Motorcycle Association (http://www.amadirectlink.com/)

In any case the exhibit is outstanding and a tip of the hat to Ed Youngblood for his part in bringing such an outstanding exhibit to Saratoga Springs.

Thank you Mar for the correction.

[sjbmw]

On the eve of the stock market crash, the American motorcycle industry had shrunk to only three brands: Indian, Harley Davidson and the _____________ . (fill in the blank) This brand was ridden by Charles Lindbergh. Then in 1931 Ignaz Schwinn decide to build only bicycles. Only Indian and HD remained, and by the mid-1930s, Indian was selling as few as 200 motorcycles a year and HD was down to a two-day work week.

What was the name plate that went out of production in 1931?

You say you want a hint? The nameplate is the same as one of the most famous springs that flows freely in Saratoga Springs.

A free pass to the show for the first correct answer.

Excelsior?

[PAULBACH]

And sjbmw is correct. Either PM or email me and I will send the pass. I never hear of the Excelsior Marquee but it is part of motorcycle history.

Congratulations!

[PAULBACH]

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g264/PaulBach/Born%202%20Ride/0319SaratogaExhibit012.jpg

Who rode this bike? The rider has won a National Championship, founded a national organization and logged more than 1.5 million miles in the saddle before switching to a sidecar rig.

[redrider]

Hummm...Paul's Escort Service...has a nice ring to it. I should let Snoone try it first though...heh..heh

[PAULBACH]

Dot Robinson.

Born Dorothy Goulding in Australia in 1912, Dot Robinson paved the way forf women in American national championship competition by entering the two-day Jack Pine Enduro in 1934. She won the Jack Pine sidecar class in 1940 to become the first woman to an AMA National Championship title, then repeated the feat in 1946. In 1941 she became a co-founder of the Motor Maids, an all-women's organization dedicated to improving the public perception of motorcycling, and she served as it president for many years.

Robinson alway rode Harley-Davidson, custom painted in pink.

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g264/PaulBach/Born%202%20Ride/0319SaratogaExhibit055.jpg

[PAULBACH]

Who are they and what motorcycle did they make famous?

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g264/PaulBach/Born%202%20Ride/BeachBoys.jpg

[BradfordBenn]

I believe they are the Beach Boys... I think they mad Harley famous with Good Vibrations.

[PAULBACH]

You are right! The Beach Boys. You get a pass to the exhibit. Although the Harley is known for vibrations (good pun there) they rode a different bike on stage. It was a Japanese ride. Care to take a WAG?

[Holly]

I Get Around (and show my age :D

Holly

[Bike_Rat]

Was it a Honda? "You meet the nicest people on a Honda"

[PAULBACH]

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g264/PaulBach/ClipArt/goodjob.jpg

Absolutely Correct!

To where do I send the free admission ticket or do you wish to pass and I will post another Trivia question about motorcycles in American Culture!