Cyclone (motorcycle)

The Cyclone - track racer (1914-1915) was a racing motorcycle in the Joerns Motor Manufacturing Company, Saint Paul ( Minnesota). The Cyclone is regarded as the most innovative and legendary racing bike of its time; an overhead camshaft per cylinder, driven by two vertical shafts, was unique for its time.

Development and Technology

Andrew beach (1880-1970) designed the 996 cc large 42 - degree V - twin-cylinder engine with vertical shaft drive. The front axle is driven by the crankshaft, the rear shaft of the lower bevel gear of the first shaft. In addition, had the Cyclone engine, in contrast to the Indian railway racing machine, already a hemispherical combustion chamber. The engine produced 45 hp at 5000 rpm at a compression ratio of 5.5: 1 The maximum speed of the train is specified Renner (177 km / h) with 110 mph. In the single-tube open at the bottom of the engine was integrated load-bearing; the complete bike weighed only 121 kg. The motorcycle had, as usual track racing bikes, no brakes. The rate was reduced by interrupting the ignition, started the engine was by -shows with pedals.

Race and record

1914 appeared the Cyclone on the track and had the reputation of " yellow speed demon" held after the first successes. Due to mechanical failures - the Cyclone was successful only at short range - the production was set in 1915. 1916 to be published a version of the Cyclone, the cylinder head has been redesigned especially for the lubrication of the rocker arms.

The only available in yellow Cyclone was also offered in a street version of purchasable (1913-1916) with higher handlebars and luggage carrier for the price of 350 U.S. dollars. The commercial success did not materialize, so the end of 1916 and 1917 respectively Joerns Motor Manufacturing ceased production and the company was dissolved.

How many road models (of the train racing machines supposedly only a dozen ) were built and sold, is questionable. Worldwide should still exist 6 Cyclone.

A Cyclone - track racing motorcycle of 1914 was auctioned in 2008 for the equivalent of 430,000 euros, until then the highest price ever achieved a motorcycle. On February 4, 2012, a few of the Cyclone was stolen during a robbery in Bel Air.