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Located northwest of Santa Barbara in the Santa Ynez Valley, California, the Solvang Vintage Motorcycle Museum is a privately owned museum offering a select collection of motorcycles, both original and high quality replicas. The casual observer may not realise the wealth of machinery and history within, the Museum is actually nestled in a beautifully finished village square in an equally beautiful town.
YORK V-TWIN BY TOLEDO:
1921: MARS 1000: A reproduction of a German motorcycle, the engine is a 1,000cc opposed twin in line with the long axis of the motorcycle, the engine was designed by Maybach. The Mars incorporates some unique features including two drive chains each with a different size sprocket. A handle operates a clutch to select either 'drive' for high or low range. Another obvious feature is the 'car like' spare wheel.
1940: CROCKER BIG TANK: American Al Crocker manufactured overhead valve conversion kits for Indian Twins during the 1930's. In 1936 he decided to manufacture his own 1,000cc V-Twin motorcycle to compete directly with Indian and Harley Davidson. Al Crocker offered a 'full refund' to any buyer of a 'Crocker' if their motorcycle was beaten by a stock Indian or Harley Davidson, the story goes 'no such refunds were ever needed'. Approximately one hundred 'Crockers' were manufactured, all before the United States entered World War 2.
1954: NORTON MANX 'SHORTSTROKE':
1955: MOTO GUZZI V8: Also known as 'The Otto', (Ottocilindri), the Moto Guzzi V8 was designed by Engineer Giulio Cesare Carcano (employed by Moto Guzzi 1936~1966), for the Moto Guzzi Factory Racing Team. Carcano initially considered a 'transverse six' and felt that was too wide so, audacity ran wild, he created the world's only 500cc Senior Grand Prix V8 'four stroke' racer. NB: There was another Grand Prix V8 racer, incredibly a 'two stroke' designed and manufactured by Italian, Plinio Galbusera in 1938! Twice world champion and double Isle of Man TT Winner, Bill Lomas rode the 'Guzzi V8' for the factory with mixed results, Bill's signature adorns the fuel tank of Solvang's replica motorcycle. The 'Guzzi V8' depicted here is a replica, generally faithful to the original except for more modern engine internals and ignition. (The original racer incorporated eight (8) sets of points, ouch). The 1955 version generated 60bhp, however by 1957 that figure had risen to 78bhp at 12,000rpm. Eight cylinders, water cooling, DOHC valve arrangement, eight 20mm Del 'Orto carburettors and eight sets of points all combined to generate some 78bhp which embarrassed the drum brakes and tyres of the day. The motorcycle was fast, a record speed of 280kmh was achieved however fragility of crankshafts, overheating and reported seizures indicated more development work was required. Ultimately the motorcycle's development path was cut short when Moto Guzzi decided to withdraw from Grand Prix racing in 1957.
1991: BRITTEN V1000: Described by many as 'the greatest motorcycle ever built', New Zealander John Britten designed and manufactured ten Britten V1000's, the Solvang Museum claim this is the only Britten that has not been raced. The design is unique, relying heavily on carbon fibre and kevlar composites for the monocoque chassis, wheels and front suspension components. The front suspension was a Britten designed 'double wishbone girder' arrangement. The engine was equally unique, featuring a 1,000cc V-Twin (60 degree V), with fuel injection, producing 165bhp at 12,000rpm.
MOTORCYCLE SHOWS AND MOTORCYCLE MUSEUMS: Please continue viewing my records of Motorcycle Shows and Motorcycle Museums I have visited by selecting from the following... | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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