strap tank harley pops up at Oley!

[jurassic]

This catalog picture of a 1911 New Era shows that even as late as 1911 New Era was still using the out dated harley strap tank engine. But you can also see that the main shaft oil passage is running north to south inline with the cylinder. This would be different from the harley engine.

[jurassic]

This picture clearly shows that the oil passage on 1823 does not run north to south when the engine is standing upright.

[jurassic]

While it is apparent that harley did either sell engines to New Era in 1909, or sell their engine patterns. There is one major difference between engines that lean forward like the harley, and engines that stand upright like the New Era. That would be the oil cup and passage that goes to and comes from the pulley shaft bushing. If you notice on this picture of a strap tank motor the oil cup and passage move from north to south behind the cylinder hole, if the engine sits in the frame leaning forward. In an upright motor the passage would be in a different position.North to south directly inline with the cylinder hole.

[bobbyt]

I think Excelsior bought them out in '10. However, the 1909 ad that Cory posted sure looks like a strap motor!!!! And this thing that showed up at Oley, though the frame is homemade, that is what they were trying to copy! VERY INTERESTING!

As far as I know, Excelsior didn't buy them. In 1910, Excelsior was having trouble keeping up with
orders and was running into financial problems.

Bob Turek
#769

[aka HAWG]

on fleeze bay now


other info I found ( have 3rd photo ad but cant post due to size issues )

the R.F.D. News, magazine of the National Rural Letter Carriers' Association,
advertised motorcycles whose names are still remembered such as Indian and Harley Davidson, and
others long forgotten, such as Erie, Armac, Excelsior, Thor, Torpedo, and Thiem. The June 1909 RFD
News ran an advertisement for the New Era Auto-Cycle, made by the New Era Gas Engine Company of
Dayton, Ohio – a vehicle well ahead of its time. Unlike other motorcycles of the day, it did not need to be
pedaled to start. Instead, it started like a car –
with a hand crank – and then kept running without
needing to be pedaled

and from other source ( casterville ohio historical society dated feb 2000)

Several years ago, Nevin Elliott found an old motor in a farm trash pile. With research he discovered it was a 1902 bicycle engine made by the New Era Gas Engine Company of Dayton, Ohio. The company manufactured the New Era Auto-Cycle, invented by Mr. E.L. LeFevre and intended to "overcome all of the objectionable features that have heretofore existed in motor-cycles." Based on the descriptions and illustrations of the Auto-Cycle found in a 1909 brochure, Mr. Elliott recreated the motor-cycle from bicycle parts, plumbers pipe, and other salvaged materials. Last month he donated his auto-cycle to our collection where it now sits in the 1900-1916 room of the new exhibit.
As for the Centerville connection: E.L. "Roy" LeFevre, inventor of the Auto-Cycle, lived on Normandy Lane in the early 1900s. He was a well-known amateur and professional bicycle racer as well as an inventor. He also road tested cars for Stoddard Automobile. The CWTHS files contain a photograph of Roy and his wife Bess, as well as several photographs of him with various automobiles.

[Earl]

Now let's look for any published differences between the two motors.
What's the bore and stroke of an early Harley single?
And of an early New Era motor?
If those dimensions are different, then Dale can measure the motor he found to see what he's got.

[silentgreyfello]

Holy crap is right.

What Lonnie said. I'm sitting here eating a crow pie right now. I looked at a bunch of New Era ads and pictures. They were all 1910-12. I think Excelsior bought them out in '10. However, the 1909 ad that Cory posted sure looks like a strap motor!!!! And this thing that showed up at Oley, though the frame is homemade, that is what they were trying to copy! VERY INTERESTING!

[c.o.]

Here's a left hand shot of a '10.

[c.o.]

I don't know about high rez but I'll see what I can do...

[jurassic]

Holy Crap! Can you send me a high rez copy of that ad?

[c.o.]

I'm thinking Earl and Rob may be on to something....

[jurassic]

I think they started making these things in 1909, this is a 12 model. Its big like the harley motor, but lots of differences. Maybe the earlier models had different engines.

[rwm]

Your kidding, right? Their chassis isn't even close, and especially with pipe fittings for castings. The motor in the New Era clamped to the frame like a strap motor, but the left side case and timer were completely different. And their cylinder was different as well. I don't believe I have seen a New Era where the motor was a Harley with the letters shaved off.

i never said anything about the chassis. i said i think harley sold the motor to new era!

[silentgreyfello]

i think that harley sold this motor to NEW ERA. then new era ground off the name harley or harley ground it off

Your kidding, right? Their chassis isn't even close, and especially with pipe fittings for castings. The motor in the New Era clamped to the frame like a strap motor, but the left side case and timer were completely different. And their cylinder was different as well. I don't believe I have seen a New Era where the motor was a Harley with the letters shaved off.

[rwm]

But I remember seeing an early New Era motorcycle at a museum, and it really made me do a double take, as it looked like an early Harley motor. So I invite everybody to Google "New Era motorcycle" and investigate. I'll look for those museum pictures that I took.

i think that harley sold this motor to NEW ERA. then new era ground off the name harley or harley ground it off