California Motor Company

The California Motor Company was founded in San Francisco to produce the motorcycle created by Roy C. Marks formerly of Toledo, Ohio. The 1896 Marks Motorcycle was the first motorcycle made in the United States.

Roy C. Marks Moto Bicycle [1]
ManufacturerRoy C. Marks
Also calledCalifornia Moto Bicycle
Production1896
AssemblySan Francisco, California, USA
SuccessorCalifornia Moto Bicycle
ClassMoto Bicycle
Engine90 cc (5.5 cu in) Roy C. Marks Patent
Power0.5 hp (0.37 kW)
Tires1.5 in (38 mm) x 28 in (710 mm)
Weight90 lb (41 kg) (dry)

History

Roy C. Marks, formerly of Toledo, Ohio, created the first moto bicycle in the United States in 1896 in San Francisco. In 1901 the California Motor Company was created for the purpose of manufacturing the Marks design of motorcycle. Founder were Lewis Bill - President, J. W. Leavitt - Vice President, and J.F. Bill - Secretary and Treasurer.

Two patents were issued to Marks. On 30 September 1902, patent 710,329 Explosive Engine for Motor-Vehicles (which had been filed on September 7, 1901) was granted. And also patent 710,330 Carbureter for Explosive-Engines (January 2, 1902).

First US-made motorcycle

The 1896 Marks which had an engine copied from the De Dion-Bouton design, was the first motorcycle manufactured in the USA.

First transcontinental road trip

In May 1903 George Wyman left San Francisco on a California Moto Bicycle bound for New York City. After 50 days, hands in bandages after having pedaled the last 150 miles Wyman arrived in New York City.

Sale to Consolidated Mfg.

The fame associated with this event resulted in the California Motor Company being purchased by Consolidated Manufacturing. Its machinery was disassembled and moved to Toledo, Ohio. It was there that Consolidated manufactured the Yale Motorcycle.

Japan influence

The California was one of the first motorcycles to be imported into Japan Along with the Hildebrand & Wolfmüller, Thomas Auto-Bi and Mitchell it was influential in establishing the Japanese Motor Industry.

gollark: I've written C before, and it was very safe and excellent and exhibited no undefined behaviour or warnings.
gollark: Why do you want it?
gollark: Okay, pushed.
gollark: Working on it.
gollark: Not currently.

See also

References
  1. History Of The California And Yale Motorcycle Companies,
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.