WHO INVENTED THE V-TWIN?

pictorial history from 1899 to 1911 below...

 

The Harley Davidson Error

When researching early v-twin motorcycles on the net, it became apparent that many people are convinced that Harley Davidson invented and produced the first v-twin motorcycle. For example, at this Yahoo Answers site the question is asked, "Anyone know who made the first V-twin engine for the motorcycle?" The winning answer was" Glenn Curtis, in 1905", which, the asker points out, was nothing to do with Harley or Davidson, and the engine was "made before they went into business", but this is not strictly true, as you will see. Other online posts stated that Harley invented the v-twin and everyone else copied them.... here is a forum where the argument rages and concludes that Indian invented the v-twin.

Of the three other answers displayed, one names Harley and Davidson, with a quotation that had obviously misled the researcher... a problem I was to encounter again... and the other two answers named Indian motorcycles as the originator of V-twins, one of whom points out that Harley didn't make a v-twin until 1909, but Indian made one in 1903, whereas Curtiss's v-twin was probably 1905. The questioner disagreed.

However, I realized that the four people involved in the exchange were all mistaken. They were all failing to look ouside the borders of their own country. Was this caused by patriotic enthusiasm, or was it something else? I decided to investigate.

In various online articles, it states that the V-twin was introduced in 1903, (not true, as you can see below), but this is the same year that many people think Harley Davidson started trading (it was actually 1904)*, and the same year that Indian founder, Oscar Hedstrom broke a speed record. This has meant that lazy Googling has made people jump to conclusions such as, Harley Davidson made a V-twin in 1903, or Indian broke the speed record on an Indian V-twin racer in 1903... in fact, anyone Googling the term "Harley Davidson V-twin 1903" or "Indian V-twin 1903" could end up getting presented with edited highlights of the sentence you have just read, and reach false conclusions, if they don't open the page and read the whole text.... But it could also be that Americans want to believe that Harley (or some other American company) invented the v-twin, causing them not to notice anything that contradicts this belief. Either way, these pages seek to expose the truth about v-twin origins.

I discovered that William S. Harley and Arthur Davidson produced their first production motorcycle in 1904*, but did not produce their first production V-twin until 1909. However, according to Wikipedia "In February 1907 a prototype model with a 45-degree V-Twin engine was displayed at the Chicago Automobile Show." A few were made in 1909 (27 of them), but they were faulty and withdrawn from sale..in fact, they were bought back by the factory. One has been preserved in the Harley Davidson Museum, however.

The Hendee Manufacturing Company, who became Indian, produced their first v-twin factory racer in 1904**, and their first production v-twin in 1906**, according to new sources (see below). According to Indian Motorcycle.com, Indian "introduced the first V-twin motorcycle to the world in 1907"... SORRY - untrue again .... (if it had said "THEIR first V-twin motorcycle" that would have been better). (By the way, Hendee was Swedish, plus Davidson was tutored by a Norwegian... see story here: The Scandinavian DNA in the traditional American V-twin) and Oscar Hedsstrom, who designed the first Indian V-twin,was born in Sweden.)

So it was true! Harley Davidson did NOT make the first V-twin... Indian had beat them into production by 3 years... and Indian's first factory racer was racing about three years before the first Harley prototype, ..but it was also true that Indian were NOT FIRST either! Curtiss had beaten them by 1 or 2 years. HOWEVER, I found that other manufacturers outside the USA had actually been the REAL pioneers... (and Harley DID NOT make the first 45 degree V-twin either! Peugeot made and raced the first one (1489cc) in 1904; the first 45-degree v-twin sold to the public was a 500cc model by Peugeot in 1905; and VINDEC SPECIAL of London, England used the Peugeot V-twin in their motorcycle the same year! LURQUIN-COUDERT of France followed with a 45 degree V-twin in 1906!)

*Regarding the rumour that HD first sold bikes in 1903: "That is a very widespread falsehood, currently supported by the company. Their first bike sold was made in late 1904, and sold in early 1905. Source, "At the Creation", by Herbert Wagner, 2003." (Thanks to Bob Walker for this.)

**Wikipedia differs: 05 and 07

Here is the timeline:

 

FIRST PETROL (GASOLINE) POWERED V-TWIN ENGINE:

1889

1889, Germany, Gottlieb DAIMLER patented the first petrol (Gasoline)-fueled v-twin engine, as sold to Peugeot See Daimler-powered Peugeot v-twin car of 1891, but Peugeot didn't produce their own v-twin engine until 1905. Ref 1

 

1899

1899-1901, France, ADER patented their v-twin design.  "...from August 1899 to 1901 his patents show that it was the real first modern v twin ever made." It was a 90-degree design. Ref 1 Ref 2 Ref 3

 

1900

1900-1901, France, MOTO-CARDAN: "In 1900 or 1901 Emile Robion of 142, rue de Paris, Puteaux, conceptualised the motorcycle which would later be marketed under the Moto-Cardan brand". The engine was very similar to the ADER engine (90 degrees). However, some historians claim they are not the same brand. Patents: 1902 Ref 1

 (this is Ader's version)

 

FIRST V-TWIN MOTORCYCLES:

1901

1901, France, L'UNIVERSEL MOTORCYCLES: "At the same time, Vigneron also sold a formidable 90 degree V-twin of 4 CV (= 'chevaux' = 'horsepower')." The company operated only in 1901. Ref 1

 (this is the single cylinder model)

1901, England (Coventry), HAMILTON MOTOR CO: "1901-07 Motorcycles listed singles of 2.25hp, 3.25hp and 4hp and a 4.5hp V-twin on which either cylinder could be cut out at will. These machines were typical primitives of the Edwardian period, and were produced for only a few years. Charles Alexander Hamilton had worked for Daimler in Coventry in 1897. " Ref 1 Ref 2

  (adverts mentioning the v-twin)

1901, Germany (Berlin), MAGNET: "Early models were large singles followed by a V-twin". Ref 1 Ref 2

  (these are the 1905 & 1908 models)

1902

1902, England: PRINCEPS advertised a 4hp v-twin motorcycle Ref 1

1902, Germany, FAFNIR:  "Their first Fafnir engines were built in 1902 in single and v-twin format of 2 to 8hp". Ref 1

  (this is a 1906 Fafnir 1000cc)

1902, England, (Yorkshire), WADDINGTON: This company used Fafnir V-twins (and later, Peugeot), for their forecars. Ref 1

 (this is the 1903 single cylinder version)

1902, France, ADER produced a transverse, shaft-driven v-twin and a 1000cc in-line v-twin - both 90 degrees. Ref 1 Ref 2

 

1902, France, GRIFFON, powered by ZEDEL Ref 1 Ref 2

  (1903 model shown) (706cc 1904 model)

1902, France, MOTO-CARDAN produced a transverse, shaft-driven v-twin Ref 1 Ref 2

 

1902, France, GENTIL MOTORCYCLES, "They also produced v-twin motorcycles" Company founder by Edmond Gentil, the founder of Alcyon Motorcycles. Both companies formed in the same town in the same year. Ref 1

 (this is an Alcyon from 1904)

1902, Germany (Dresden), GERMANIA, 4.5hp V-twins "These were Laurin & Klement machines built under licence at the Seidel & Naumann typewriter factory in Dresden" Ref 1

 

1902, Bohemia (Austro-Hungarian Empire), LAURIN KLEMENT 4.5 hp twins Ref 1

 

1902, England (Birmingham), GARRARD MANFACTURING CO, Clement-Garrard 3hp narrow angle v-twin Ref 1

 

1902, France, CLEMENT produced a lovely V4 Ref 1

 

 

 

1903

(1903, France: DE DION BOUTON produces a V-Twin Engine?) Ref 1

 

1903, England (Brixton, London), IRIS MOTORCYCLES: 5hp water-cooled v-twin Ref 1

 

1903: England: ECLIPSE MOTOR AND CYCLE CO (X-ALL): 90-degree v-twin (2hp) In 1904, a 4hp v-twin was available. Ref 1

 

1903, France: GRIFFON produces a De Dion-powered racer (however, I can find no trace of this engine in De Dion histories) However, GRIFFON did produce a v-twin with a ZEDEL engine in 1903 Ref 1

 

1903, France, CLEMENT v-twins Ref 1

 

1903, France, FOURNIER MOTORCYCLES: "a Fournier pacer powered by a Buchet V-twin of 110 x 120mm bore/stroke, 2280.8cc." Ref 1

 

1903, Germany, GRITZNER MOTORCYCLES, "The Gritzner-Kaiser AG factory was originally known for its sewing machines. From 1903 to 1962 they built a large variety of motorcycles and three-wheelers, initially using Fafnir singles and V-twins " Ref 1

  (these are 1903 Gritzner singles)

1903, Germany : NSU V-twin on sale to the public Ref 1

 (this one is 1905)

1903, Germany (Dresden), BECKER:  V-twin models for a very limited regional market around Dresden.  Ref 1

 (the Walter also used a Fafnir engine)

1903, Germany (Mulhausen), MÖVE: Also known as the MÖWE, these motorcycles were fitted with Fafnir 3.5 hp single-cylinder engines and 5 hp V-twins. Ref 1

(this is a 1905 single)

1903, USA: CURTISS "In 1903 he was timed at Yonkers (New York) riding his own Curtiss Hercules 50-degree 1000cc v-twin at 64 mph (103 km/h), earning him a place in history as the first motorcycle speed record holder." (not the V8 - that was 1907). Ref 1 Ref 2 Ref 3 Ref 4 Ref 5

 

1904

1904 England (Coventry), SINGER MOTORCYCLES, a V-twin, two-speed tricar. Ref 1

1904 England (Coventry), REX started building 726cc v-twins Ref 1

 (1906 model)

1904, Belgium, MINERVA V-twin racer 7hp v-twin https://cybermotorcycle.com/gallery/minerva/Minerva-1905-NZ.htm Ref 1

 

1904, Austro-Hungarian Empire, LAURIN KLEMENT MOTORCYCLES: 1904-Type CCR V-Twin. Ref 1

 

1904, France, PEUGEOT races its first v-twin: "Lanfranchi's speed record. Launching at more than 123 km / h, the Vincenzo Lanfranchi driver nicknamed Cenzio, the kilometer speed record on Dourdan racing track with his 45-DEGREE Peugeot V2 prototype" of 1500cc (1489cc) Ref 1 Ref 2 Ref 3

 

1904 , France, (Asnières), ANZANI - used a big Buchet v-twin engine in his racer. Ref 1

 

1904, France, ADER-CARDAN transverse shaft-driven v-twin Ref 1 Ref 2

 

1904, France, ALCYON, using a 1000cc v-twin Buchet engine Ref 1

 

1904, France, GENTIL MOTORCYCLES: "They also produced V-twin motorcycles" (This is a 1904 Alcyon 1300cc with Buchet engine) / Ref 1 Ref 2

 

1904, France (Paris), HALLOT - a motorcycle utilizing a Z.L. v-twin engine. Ref 1

 (the Zedel or ZL engine- this one from 1909)

1904, France, RENE GILLET produced first v-twins Ref 1 Ref 2

 

1904, Germany, BISMARCK: Between 1904 and 1908 Bismarck made large V-Twins with engines from Minerva, Anzani and Fafnir of up to 1300cc.  Ref 1 Ref 2

 

1904, Germany (Berlin), BERGFEX: Long-wheelbase machines fitted with a variety of relatively powerful V-twin engines from Antoine, Fafnir, Kelecom, and Minerva, along with their own engines. Ref 1

 (this one is from 1907 and has an NSU engine)

1904, USA: CURTISS: Following on from his 64mph record in 1903, Curtiss sets a motorcycle land speed record on his 50-DEGREE 1000cc V-twin racer (67.41 mph over 2-10 miles) (not the V8 - that was 1907). Ref 1 Ref 2 Ref 3 Ref 4

1904, USA, INDIAN: Oscar Hedstrom designed and raced the first Indian prototype V-twin - 26 cubic inches (426cc); 42 degree v-twin.. Story here: Ref 1

 

1905

1905, France, PEUGEOT 500cc v-twin motorcycle on sale to the public (4 models) Ref 1 Ref 2

(this is a 500cc Peugeot v-twin engine from 1905) (First commercially available motorbike in the World with a 45° v-twin engine... according to the Peugeot website... and see VINDEC SPECIAL below)

1905, Germany, WALTER, 500cc v-twin Ref 1

 

1905, Belgium, MINERVA 577cc v-twin sold to public Ref 1

1905. England, VINDEC SPECIAL of Finsbury, London (made by ALLRIGHT of Cologne, Germany) produced the Vindec Special using a 5hp 45 degree v-twin Peugeot engine. Ref 1

  (1907 models shown)

1905, England: J.A. PRESTWICH (JAP) produce a V-twin engine Ref 1

 (this is a 1905 JAP v-twin in a Chater-Lea)

1905, England (Birmingham), ARIEL "1905-1909 Other models were added, including the tricar. Larger, 6hp V-twin JAP engines were used" Ref 1

 

1905, England: CHATER-LEA V-twin on sale to the public (using the JAP engine) Ref 1

 

1905, England: MATCHLESS V-twin racers fitted with a 6hp JAP engine on a spring frame. Ref 1

 (June 1905)

1905, England: Joe Stevens and his company Co (STEVENS SCREW COMPANY- later AJS) V-twin on sale to the public Ref 1

 (Stevens engine - this one is 1909)

1905, England, ACME V-twins on sale to the public Ref 1

 (this is the 1907 model)

1905, Switzerland (Geneva), MOTO-REVE: "Model A" ..."the “Model A” was designed, constructed and brought to production in only 4 months. In May 1906 you could see the “Model A” on display at the Salon du Cycle in Genève. It was a 2 hp. 274cc v-twin with automatic inlet valves". Ref 1

  (this is the 1906 model)

1905, Switzerland, MOSER 330cc V-twin on sale to the public Ref 1

 (this is the 1906 model)

1905, France: GRIFFON 5hp V-twin on sale to the public Ref 1

 

1905, France, ALCYON V-twin racer, 1300cc Ref 1

 

1905, France, PERNETTE: Alcyon-inspired racer, with 8HP 1200cc Buchet engine Ref 1

 

1905, France, RENE GILLET selling five different v-twin models Ref 1

 

1905, France (Paris), MOM "From 1905 built 3hp single cylinder and 6hp V-twin motorcycles; also tricars, automobiles and motorboats."  Ref 1 Ref 2

 

1905, France, STIMULA v-twin with front AND rear suspension! Ref 1

 

1905, Belgium (Liege), COLLOT built pacers with large v-twin engines. Ref 1

 

1905, France (Besancon), AMSTOUTZ or MIRUS/ A.Z. MOTORCYCLES: Ref 1 Ref 2

 

1905, Belgium, (Ensival-les-Verviers), LINON made v-twin motorcycles - possibly also in previous years. Ref 1

1905, Italy (Turin), QUAGLIOTTI MOTORCYCLES produing motorcycles with Peugeot 2 CV single cylinder and larger V-twin engines from 1902 to 1907. Ref 1

 (this one is a 1903 single)

1905, Austria, NIESNER MOTORCYCLES, "Niesner motorcycles fitted with Minerva and Fafnir engines were produced in Vienna from 1905 to 1911. The machines were singles and v-twins with power output in the range of 3 to 5hp." Ref 1

 (this is a 1909 single)

1905, Austria, BOCK AND HOLLENDER v-twin on sale to the public Ref 1

 

1905, Austria/Bohemia/Czecholslovakia; LAURIN AND KLEMENT v-twins - 1905 model Ref 1 Ref 2

 

1905, Austria: PUCH model 5 V-twin on sale to the public Ref 1

 

1905, USA: CURTISS V-twins on sale to the public Ref 1 Ref 2

 

1905, USA: INDIAN produce first V-twin racers - plural - following the Hedstrom prototype of 1904. Ref 1

 

 

1906

1906, England (Coventry), RILEY MOTORCYCLES: "1906 A fairly heavy machine appeared, fitted with a 6-hp, 804cc V-twin engine Ref 1

 

1906, England (Leicester), CLYDE MOTORCYCLES v-twin models introduced. Ref 1

 (this is the 1912 v-twin, but the 1905 advertisement shows that a v-twin engined car was already being produced in 1905:

1906, England (London), BAT MOTOR MANUFACTURING CO, v-twin motorcycle produced Ref 1

 (6hp Bat v-twin)

1906 England (Birmingham), KERRY/ABINGDON MOTORCYCLES - a 670cc sv v-twin Ref 1

(1907 single)   (these are 1912 and 1913 models)

 1906, England (Northampton), ADVANCE MANUFACTURING CO produced a 6hp v-twin - may have also been produced earlier Ref 1

 (this is the 1908 6hp twin)

1906, England: NORTON V-twins on sale to the public, using Peugeot engines, set the world speed record Ref 1 Ref 2

 

1906, England (Birmingham), NEW COMET MOTORCYCLES (HADEN): V-twin with Peugeot engine Ref 1

 (this is the 1914 v-twin)

1906, England, SIMPLEX, 1906 The firm offered a spring frame and used a 6hp JAP V-twin engine with belt drive. Available options were an adjustable pulley or hub gear as well as direct drive. Ref 1

 

1906, Switzerland: MOTO REVE 274cc V-twin on sale to the public Ref 1

 

1906, France (Paris), LURQUIN-COUDERT: 5hp 45-degree V-twin with front AND rear suspension! Ref 1

 1906 1908 1908

1906, France, PERNETTE: The Pernette machine (of 1906) is a 572cc V-twin (90 x 90mm) with belt drive. Ref 1

1906. France, ALCYON, 2 v-twin models: Ref 1

  (1907 493cc Zedel engine, 3.5 hp; 1907 954cc Laurin & Klement engine, 5.5hp)

1906, France, ADER: 1000cc v-twin Ref 1

 (this one is 1904)

1906, France: AIGLON MOTORCYCLES: ~"1906 saw the introduction of a 4 hp V-twin with a Grouvelle carburretor." Ref 1

 

1906, USA: INDIAN first V-twin on sale to the public. Usually thought to be in 1907, the link reveals that the Indian actually emerged in 1906.Ref 1

 

1906, USA, MARSH & METZ (previously ORIENT/WALTHAM MANUFACTURING CO) The A-Z Guide to American Motorcycles says: "Before teaming up with Marsh, Charles Metz developed the Orient V-twin in 1901, (powered by Orient’s own engines with aluminum crankcases), but it didn’t reach production until two years later". HOWEVER... the Motorcycle History page disagrees: " The official public debut [of the single-cylinder machine] took place on July 31,1900 when Metz launched his invention at the Charles River Race Park in Boston... About four years later, Metz introduced a two-cylinder version that doubled the horsepower of the Single to 4.0. However, the word 'about' could mean that the 45-degree v-twin didn't arrive until 1906, as claimed by the "Ancient or Antiques Blogspot page" about Marsh Motorcycles :"Marsh & Metz is one of the first companies to offer a V-twin engine. It was a 45-degree unit that arrived around 1906. Two years later, a 90-degree V-twin appeared, which was claimed to offer better internal balance." Ref 1 Ref 2 Ref 3

1907

1907, England (London), BROWN BROTHERS MOTORCYCLES: 5hp V-Twin - may have also been produced earlier Ref 1

 (this one from 1912)

1907, England, NORTON v-twin with Peugeot engine wins the first Isle of Man TT race Ref 1

 

1907. England, NORTON markets a v-twin - "The Energette" (a name revived from a previous single-cylinder model from 1902) - using a Swiss Moto-Rêve engine. http://www.moto-reve.de/english/history/overseas/index.html Ref 1

 

1907, England, MATCHLESS built a racer with a 20hp JAP engine Ref 1

 

1907, England, (Coventry), REX: 5hp v-twin and 5½hp v-twins Ref 1

  (note the plunger front suspension of the De Luxe 5½hp model )

1907, England, BROWN: v-twin 4.5 hp Midget Bicar Ref 1

 

1907, England, ROC MOTORCYCLES v-twins on sale... The machine on the left is a ROC; the one on the right is a REX. Ref 1

 

1907, Austria, DANNECK v-twin 2-stroke displayed at theVienna Exhibition Ref 1

1907, France (Paris), LURQUIN-COUDERT, Lurquin-Coudert produced "voiturette-tricars"; a twin-cylinder model ran in the touring class at the 1907 Chateau-Thierry hillclimb, and cyclecars with V-twin Train engines went into production beginning in 1910. Ref 1

 

1907, Belgium: 600cc MINERVA V-twin on sale to the public

 

1907 Germany (Zittan), PHÄNOMEN MOTORCYCLES Ref 1 Ref 2

 

1907: Australia: LEWIS CYCLE AND MOTOR WORKS produced a prototype V-twin with a Minerva engine, then made their own engine in 1908 Ref 1

  (1907) (1908) (1908)

 

1907, USA: First HARLEY DAVIDSON Prototype 45 degree v-twin exhibited in Chicago. It was 54 cubic inches (880cc) but no pictures of it can be found, and it wasn't until 1909 that any were produced, since there were problems with it. Ref 1

 

1908

1908: England: NLG (NORTH LONDON GARAGE) produced a V-twin racer that won the very first Brooklands race. "An NLG machine, ridden by Will Cook, marked its place in history when it won the first official motorcycle race staged at Brooklands. It was powered by a 944cc V-twin Peugeot and weighed less than 120lb/54.5kg."Ref 1 Ref 2

1908, England (Nottingham), W.E. BROUGH: 5hp v-twin Ref 1 Ref 2

 (this one is 1913)

1908, England (Wolverhampton) WOLF: twin-cylinder Wolf Bicycle. Ref 1

 (1908) (1909)

1908, England (London), TRAFALGAR MOTORCYCLES, v-twin with 5hp Peugeot engine. Ref 1

 

1908, England (London), MABON and CO. 6hp v-twin Sarolea engine Ref 1

 

1908, England, MR. GRIMSHAW: "CB GRIMSHAW OF Sunderland designed and built “one of the highest powered motor bicycles used on English roads” using JAP’s 90° 1,320cc twin rated at 20hp which was designed for racing and record breaking." Ref 1

 

1908: Australia: LEWIS CYCLE AND MOTOR WORKS produced a V-twin with an engine from A W Wall Ltd, who made the ROC Mororcycle Ref 1

  (1908) (1908)

1908, Belgium: SAROLEA V-twin on sale to the public Ref

 

1908 Belgium, EOLE V4 Ref

 

1908, Germany, MAGNET 5hp v-twin Ref

1908, Germany, NSU, new v-twin racers including one of "1.004,8 cc." 7.5 hp. Ref 1 Ref 2 Ref 3 Ref 4 Ref 5

 

1908, France, MOTO DE STAYER, 1908 - Moto de Stayer, 1600cc Anzani engine, V-twin, belt transmission, single speed. Capable of over 100 km/h. Ref 1

 (1908) (1909)

1908, Switzerland: MOTOSACOCHE V-twins on sale to the public Ref 1 Ref 2 Ref 3 Ref 4

 (1908, 375cc)

1908, USA, MARSH-METZ (M.M.) According to An to Z Guide to American Motorcycles, "In 1905 the Marsh brothers teamed with Charles Metz to become M.M. and built the first production 90-degree V-twin" HOWEVER, this is misleading.... according to the Motorcycle History page, the Marsh brothers [of ORIENT/WALTHAM MANUFACTURING] DID team up with Metz in 1905, BUT their 90-degree v-twin didn't appear til 1908. ALSO, this was NOT the first 90-degree v-twin! The first ones were designed in 1900 by ADER and MOTO-CARDAN; L'UNIVERSEL (France) got one into production in 1901; ADER and MOTO-CARDAN got their designs into production in 1902 ECLIPSE MOTOR AND CYCLE CO (England) got their 90-degree 2hp v-twin into production in 1903 and a 4hp one in 1904 (see above for these earlier 90-deg v-twins) Ref 1 Ref 2 Ref 3

 (this 90-deg Marsh-Metz is from 1909)

1908, USA: THOR V-twins on sale to the public Ref 1

 

1908, USA, HORNDECKER MOTOR MANUFACTURING Co. The TORPEDO - using a 5hp THOR v-twin engine. One of the references shows the V-twin being advertised in 1907, but it must have been for the following year, since the Thor V-twin engines were not produced until 1908. Ref 1 Ref 2

 

1908, USA: READING STANDARD racers produced Ref 1

 

 

1909

1909, England, ROYAL ENFIELD produced its first v-twin using a Motosacoche 344cc 2.75 hp engine - later with Enfield's own engine. Ref 1

 

1909, England, MATCHLESS : v-twin powered by an 8hp 964cc JAP engine: "HV Colver (8hp/964cc Matchless-JAP) set 50-mile, 100-mile and two-hour records at Brook- lands, covering 118 miles 14 yards inside two hours". Ref 1

 

1909, England: NLG produce a 27hp racer with a 90-degree 2,700cc JAP V-twin engine

 

1909, England: REX v-twin on sale to the public...also available in 1908

 

1909, England, CLYNO v-twin exhibited - powered by a Stevens engine, with Chater Lea cycle parts Ref 1

 

1909, England (Coventry) PREMIER CYCLE CO: "1909 The company made their first V-twin"Ref 1 Ref 2

 (1909, 600cc, 90 degrees)

1909, England, ASL MOTORCYCLES: Front and rear suspension with air springs and fitted with a Peugeot v-twin engine. Ref 1

 

1909 Netherlands (Groningen), FONGERS " a v-twin" Ref 1

 

1909, Germany, WANDERER: 45° V-twin with front cylinder inclined horizontally Ref 1

 

1909, Germany, NSU: "...in 1909 a large V-twin of almost 1000cc was introduced." Actually, one had been produced by them already, in 1908... see above. Ref 1 Ref 2

  (1909 NSU boardtrack racers) (1909 road models)

1909, Germany, Magnet, 5.5hp v-twins on sale:

 

1909, USA, FLYING MERKEL: First racing v-twins Ref 1

 

1909, USA: HARLEY DAVIDSON V-TWINS ON SALE TO THE PUBLIC... "That first V-twin didn't fare well, however, one problem being that the drive belt lacked any means of tension adjustment other than to move the rear wheel." Also"... the crappy “automatic” intake valves that operated (now and again) courtesy of the engine’s vacuum were shelved in favour of mechanically operated intake valves."...   So, pictures and text announcing 1909 as the "birth" of the Harley Davidson v-twin were premature... A year later, (1910) after only 27 bikes were sold, the model was withdrawn until 1911. Ref 1 Ref 2

 

 

1910

1910, England, MATCHLESS: 6hp OHV V-twin

 

1910, England (Liverpool), F.M. LEE / WAVERLEY MOTORCYCLES: powered by JAP 6hp and 8hp V-twins

 V-twin (single from 1912)

1910, England, ASL: JAP-powered v-twin Brooklands record-breaker

 

1910, England, CLYNO v-twins on sale to the public

1910, England, ROYAL ENFIELD v-twins on sale to the public

 

1910, England, TRUMP Motorcycles, JAP-powered overhead valve (OHV) v-twin on sale to the public

1910 England (London) CRIPPS CYCLE AND MOTOR CO: "The Hazel" using a v-twin Peugeot engine. Ref 1 Ref 2

 (1910 Peugeot engine) (pacer)

1910, England, REX

1910, Germany, NSU: Road bikes and racers

  (1910 monoshock rear suspension!)

1910, France, MAGNAT DEBON Ref 1

 

1910 France, PEUGEOT: 660cc v-twin

 

1910, France, RENE GILLET:

 

1910, Italy, STUCCHI Ref 1

 

1910, USA: HARLEY DAVIDSON: V-TWIN DROPPED FROM THE RANGE; ALL BIKES BOUGHT BACK."Harley introduced its first engine in 1909, "but that engine proved a failure, so Harley took it off the market, buying back the bikes that had already been sold. The engineering team worked for two years to correct all that was wrong with the V-twin engine." Ref 1 Ref 2

1910, USA; FLYING MERKEL v-twins on sale to the public - 884cc 6hp engine and a racing version of 997cc, 8hp. Ref 1 Ref 2

 

1910 USA, THE MINNEAPOLIS: V-twin racer

1910, USA, READING STANDARD racer

 

1910, USA, INDIAN : Light Twin

 

1910, USA, CYCLONE board track racer v-twins being produced Ref 1

 

1910, USA: EXCELSIOR racing OHC v-twin based on the Cyclone engine Ref 1 Ref 2

  (1910 engine) (this one is 1911)

 

1911

1911, England: ASL (AIR SPRING Ltd) "Cantilever frame and springer forks both featured air shocks" Ref 1

 

1911, England: HUMBER MOTORCYCLES 2.75 hp 339cc (/3hp 340cc) Humber Junior v-twin on sale to the public; and a 2.5 hp TT racer; Ref 1 Ref 2

1911, England, F E BAKER LTD of Birmingham: PRECISION ENGINES included a 760cc V-twin from 1911, for the use of various motorcycle manufacturers. They produced whole machines from 1912. Ref 1

 

1911, England, SMITH BROTHERS / CCR MIDGET Ref 1 Ref 2 Ref 3

1911, England (Birmingham), PILOT, "JAP V-twins of 6hp or 8hp were used" Ref 1

1911, England, MATCHLESS: Luxury 8 hp model with Chater-Lea clutch and 2-speed gearbox Ref 1

 

1911, England, ROYAL ENFIELD: 6hp 2-speed v-twin combination Ref 1

 

1911, England, CHATER-LEA: "Chater-Lea’s formidable 8hp, three-speed big twin, pictured with both stands down, was marketed as a sidecar hauler but was also in demand as a roadburner."Ref 1

 

1911, England, BAT: "Bat’s spring-frame V-twin (powered by a 6 or 8hp JAP lump) was uprated with a two-speed countershaft gearbox." Ref 1

  (note overhead valves)

1911, England (London): PV, a V-twin with suspension front and rear! Ref 1 Ref 2

 

1911, England, CLYNO, v-twin combination Ref 1

 

1911, Germany, WANDERER 408cc 45-degree v-twin Ref 1

 

1911, USA, INDIAN: Police tandem v-twin Ref 1

 

1911, USA, MARSH-METZ (MM): 90-degree V-twin introduced in 1908 is still selling: Ref 1

 

1911 USA, EXCELSIOR ; Introduces a V-twin production motorcycle Ref 1 Ref 2 Ref 3 Ref 4

 

1911, USA: Harley Davidson: RE-DESIGNED V-TWIN ON SALE TO THE PUBLIC. Ref 1 Ref 2 Ref 3 Ref 4

 

So all this and more V-twin history happened before Harley started selling their V-twin in 1911, that would become a best-seller. So, the first petrol-powered V-twin engine was made in Germany. The first V-twin motorcycles were made in France. The first V-twin-powered vehicles on sale to the public were produced in Germany. In 1905 many European manufacturers were producing V-twins when Curtiss started selling his in the USA, and the first Indian racers were made. By the time the Indian V-twins went on sale to the public, in USA, Europe was V-twin-crazy, and winning races on them. It would be another 4 years before Harley Davidson produced a viable V-twin for the public in 1911.

And the first 45-degree v-twin was NOT designed or built by Harley Davidson, but by Peugeot in France who raced one in 1904, and they were selling them to the public in 1905.

By the way, the Wiki v-twin page gives the angles of quite a few v-twins, and JAP are listed as 50 degrees. However, this doesn't prove anything as Wikipedia can be edited by anyone and frequently gets facts wrong or misses things. For example, in 1932, the J.A.P. company changed their v-angle from 50 degrees to 60 degrees ref but Wiki do not mention this, or the 57 degree Anzani engine.

 

 

SEE PICTURES OF THESE V-TWINS

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