Maybel at the Wheel

[pem]

Fred Rau mentions this movie in his latest article. Charlie Chaplin rides a 1914 Thor Model IV.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBH3Mj2wxaE

[exeric]

That poor old Thor sure took a beating. I'm currently reading a book named " The Golden Age of the American Racing Car" by Griffith Borgeson. It talks a lot about Harry Miller, who worked out of Los Angeles, and built many Indy winners, was the originator of what became the Offenhauser engine, and maybe Miller built some of the racers used in this movie. This book makes a casual mention that Harry Miller built his own motorcycle in the late 19th century, and makes the bold statement that it could have been the first internal combustion powered motorcycle in America. Curious if anyone else has heard this?

[Steve Swan]

fwiw, we have a guy here in town who owns at least 2 restored Miller's.

[pem]

That poor old Thor sure took a beating. I'm currently reading a book named " The Golden Age of the American Racing Car" by Griffith Borgeson. It talks a lot about Harry Miller, who worked out of Los Angeles, and built many Indy winners, was the originator of what became the Offenhauser engine, and maybe Miller built some of the racers used in this movie. This book makes a casual mention that Harry Miller built his own motorcycle in the late 19th century, and makes the bold statement that it could have been the first internal combustion powered motorcycle in America. Curious if anyone else has heard this?

I heard the same thing. I believe Harry Miller grew up in Wisconsin and for the life of me I can't remember which town right now. I know I did a search of the local
newspaper during that time period looking for info on his motorcycle but with no luck. The guy was a genius. When I was at Indy I went through the museum and saw some of his cars and motors. Incredible!

[Jerry Wieland]

Harry Miller was born in Menomonie, Wisconsin - my home town and where I currently live. Our local Historical Society has quite a display on Harry. There always has been rumors of the existence of a photo with Harry on a motorcycle but they cannot find it. Ole Evinrude used to summer up here with relatives. There is a picture of 2 men in an early powered boat on Lake Menomin or 'The Mill Pond' as old timers used to refer to it. It has been theorized that it is Harry and Ole. Ole's uncle used to own Evinrudes' Garage which also was the first Chevrolet dealer in town. For years it was thought that Ole was born here too but I guess that has been proven not to be the truth.

That poor old Thor sure took a beating. I'm currently reading a book named " The Golden Age of the American Racing Car" by Griffith Borgeson. It talks a lot about Harry Miller, who worked out of Los Angeles, and built many Indy winners, was the originator of what became the Offenhauser engine, and maybe Miller built some of the racers used in this movie. This book makes a casual mention that Harry Miller built his own motorcycle in the late 19th century, and makes the bold statement that it could have been the first internal combustion powered motorcycle in America. Curious if anyone else has heard this?

[Chris Haynes]

Miller also lived in Los Angeles. He had another home in the Malibu Mountains on Mullholland Highway. It still stands and is a State Park today. Named after the actor who donated it. Peter Strauss Ranch. https://www.nps.gov/samo/planyourvisit/straussranch.htm

[exeric]

The above referenced book talks about Harry Miller's eccentricities. Supposedly, he could see into the future (according to his wife) and he could look at someone and predict their demise. His wife was very disturbed by this and asked him to keep that stuff to himself. He was definitely a mechanical genius for his time and built some of the most beautiful racing cars ever made. I know this is off topic for motorcycles, but with the Indianapolis 500 coming up, I couldn't resist. I know racing was horribly deadly back in the age of open wheel, front engine race cars; but I think the new age of tiny, rear engine, scientifically designed cars took all the excitement out of Indy car racing. It's history was imbedded with guys like Miller, Duesenburg, Offenhauser, and the Granatelli's.

[pisten-bully]

There was also a diesel powered Indy campaign using Cummins (an Indiana company) in the 50's, quite competitive I believe. What I haven't ever run across was a diesel motorcycle....was there ever a production machine that was a diesel motorcycle?

[midman]

From Wiki:

Royal Enfield in India was the only manufacturer that has built a diesel motorcycle in mass production. An industrial diesel was installed in the frame of the British-based Royal Enfield. However, due to pollution laws, this bike is no longer produced.