old photos

[sirhrmechanic]

C.O. Wrote: "After studying this pic for awhile I don't think anyone will be able to convince me that Cyclones only came in yellow!!"

It definitely looks like a dark color... however... some of the early film emulsions would not register colors in the yellow range. This could cause the negative to show anything 'yellow' (including yellow metal like brass or copper) as unexposed. As a result, the silver would wash off the film substrate during fixing. Then when printed, the final print would show the color as dark or black.

I have to scan them and will post tomorrow. But we have some original pictures of the RR Springfield works that drove us nuts... because it showed all the 'brightwork' in the engine bay as black. Yet we know that these parts came bright. In the prints, however, they all look to have been blackened. This includes brass carb, copper lines, etc. It took several years before the mystery was solved...

Finally, I found the answer in a c. 1950's Leica manual that I got for Christmas last year. The Leica handbook talked about early emulsions and how they weren't fully panchromatic. Film prior to the late 1920's could be insensitive to light in the wavelengths reflected by yellow. As a result, yellow will come out looking black!

That doesn't mean that the bike in this picture is not a dark color (or a rich color like a deep red.) It certainly looks like it is. But there 'is' a possibility that all these bikes were yellow and that this picture is distorted by the early emulsions.

Cheers,

Sirhr

[Scott Parker]

I found a Haverford brochure online that is not in the AMCA library. if anyone is interested...http://digital.hagley.org/cdm4/docum...PTR=1515&REC=3 Seach the site for MOTORCYCLE and you will find a Flying Merkel brochure also

Hello Sverre. I believe it's a Marsh-Metz 90 degree twin. This one looks like it says National on the tank. They were also sold as Haverford, Arrow, and Peerless.

[bill campbell]

hey eric the starter gear would mesh with the front motor sprocket just like the pope's of that era

[exeric]

I must be missing something on the above Cyclone; what does that starter gear mesh with? That's a great picture though.

[c.o.]

After studying this pic for awhile I don't think anyone will be able to convince me that Cyclones only came in yellow!!

[c.o.]

Hello Sverre. I believe it's a Marsh-Metz 90 degree twin. This one looks like it says National on the tank. They were also sold as Haverford, Arrow, and Peerless.

You nailed it Eric! I'll have to make the next one a little more difficult I guess....

I think this picture is during the FAM Western Endurance Run, from New York to Chicago. Indian won with Excelsior placing a close second. Their showing was a big boost for the new brand.

Bob Turek
#769

You are absolutely correct Bob!

[bobbyt]

I think this picture is during the FAM Western Endurance Run, from New York to Chicago. Indian won with Excelsior placing a close second. Their showing was a big boost for the new brand.

Bob Turek
#769

[talbot-2]

Saw a great photo at the Indy Ad Show last week....the price was a bit more than I wished to invest. The a bit larger than 8 X 10 photo was of the "Drouhard Motor Company" and had two (2) 1913-14 Harley-Davidson motorcycles on the street in front of the display window that also had a 1913-14 Harley-Davidson on display. Once home, I did a Google search and got two (2) hits, one of which explained the history of the Drohard Motor Company of Danville, Kansas. Very interesting short history out in the middle of nowhere. Contact Ken Russell, Abilene, Kansas, at krcowboy@eaglecom.net. I have no financial interest in this photo.

[Chris Haynes]

So Wauseon was a place for motorcycles back in 1908 too.

[exeric]

Have not been by here in a while, i`m so happy to se more excelent photos from yesterdaze.

Thanks a lot guys.

Cory, what brand is that first bike in your previous post??

Regards
Sverre
http://AmericanMotorcyclesNorway.blogspot.com

Hello Sverre. I believe it's a Marsh-Metz 90 degree twin. This one looks like it says National on the tank. They were also sold as Haverford, Arrow, and Peerless.

[c.o.]

Welcome Back Sverre!!! Glad you are enjoying the pics!!!!

O.K. I was hoping someone would name the bike you mentioned and what it actually was. I'm going away for the day but if there are no responses when I get home I will answer your question......

[sveger]

Have not been by here in a while, i`m so happy to se more excelent photos from yesterdaze.

Thanks a lot guys.

Cory, what brand is that first bike in your previous post??

Regards
Sverre
http://AmericanMotorcyclesNorway.blogspot.com

[c.o.]

Who's seen one of these?

[gsottl]

Just wanted to add that the rider of this Brough 680 is Konrad Lorenz (the nobel price winner.... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Konrad_Lorenz )

http://www.antiquemotorcycle.org/bbo...photos/page115

Cheers from Vienna,
gsottl

[c.o.]

I think Sarge is definitely on to something with the looking away from the camera theory.



Dig the upholstery in the hack. It looks pretty comfortable!