Herring (motorcycle)
The Herring (1899) was a motorcycle designed by the American inventor Augustus Herring . The Herring is considered to be one of the first American motorcycles with a combustion engine; series production never took place.
Development and technology
In 1899 Augustus Herring developed a motor tandem for the popular standing races at the time . The engine of the vehicle called "Mobike" was also used in a solo motorcycle. Neither the tandem nor the solo motorcycle have survived the time, as a fire completely destroyed the workshop in Saint Joseph (Missouri) . The Herring's technology was reconstructed using existing photos, among other things. The engine, with a bore to stroke ratio of 4 inches , was either overhead cam or rotary valve controlled and fueled by a surface carburetor. The cylinder head was water-cooled and the radiator was placed behind the seat post. The fuel tank was located in the frame triangle under the double pipe. The "Mobike" was controlled with a large number of pedals and levers located in front of the bottom bracket. Against the background of the time it was built, Herrings motorcycle testified to a talented inventor.
In 1908 Herring moved to Hammondsport to found the Herring Curtiss Company with Glenn Curtiss to develop aircraft.
literature
- Stephen Wright: The American Motorcycle. Volume 1, 1896-1914. Megden Publishing Company, 2001, ISBN 0-9603676-2-4 .
