strap tank harley pops up at Oley!

[c.o.]

It's just a notion Herb but it seems to me that '07 was the last of the buckboards. That's just a thought floating around in my noggin' and in no way do I swear it to be fact....

[HarleyCreation]

1907 H-D Buckboard

Notice the 1907 H-D buckboard engine is shown with only six studs in the cases and not eight. Motor mounts not there either, but shown with hand-crank attached.

Was there ever a image produced of a 8-stud H-D buckboard engine? Can't recall.

[HarleyCreation]

not sure if same gent but a nevin elliot of ohio passed last year possibly how and why the machine escaped from the museum

aka HAWG

The plot thickens!

[rwm]

i'm under the impression that BRUCE LINDSAY but a new era catalog in the amca. archive. i just don't know if that means it is in the library. i can't find it there.

[c.o.]

Courtesy of Herb,

1907 H-D Buckboard



1909 New Era

[aka HAWG]

not sure if same gent but a nevin elliot of ohio passed last year possibly how and why the machine escaped from the museum

aka HAWG

[HarleyCreation]

(posted by aka HAWG): 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.

I heard a rumor that the machine found at Oley did come out of a museum. Possibly these are both the same machine. If so, I wonder why/how Mr. Elliot thought the engine was a New Era? If he is still alive, that would be a good person to talk to.

I found a photocopy of a 1909 New Era engine showing the crank handle attached. Also a photocopy of the 1907 Harley-Davidson "Buckboard" engine showing the hand crank. Cory said he'll post them for me.

[rwm]

But are there any other similarities or differences listed?

Good to see Earl around here again. Welcome back!

the new era look to have a beefy starter crank attached to it

[c.o.]

Courtesy of Jim D....

[HarleyCreation]

(snip)

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.

Good grief! Except for the 1902-dated motor, that sounds a lot like the photos of this cob-job with 8-stud motor, doesn't it?

Did Mr. Elliot's recreation "made several years ago" somehow escape from the 1900-1916 room at the Casterville Historical Society?

There is an uncanny similarity to the general form and outline of this thing to the New Era chassis. I wonder if the vintage of the frame parts can be ascertained? If so, one might be able to determine how old the frame parts are. A modern re-creation or something older?

Sure looks a lot like an H-D 8-stud motor. Lonnie should be able to determine that in five minutes if he can get a look at the internal guts of this motor. Parts should be similar to the other 1908's that he has inspected. Is that a fair statement?

I have some 1909 New Era material around here somewhere that I will try to dig out. My notecard does state that the 1909 New Era engine was 3-1/8" x 3-1/2" bore and stroke--the exact same as a 1908 Harley-Davidson engine. But are there any other similarities or differences listed?

Good to see Earl around here again. Welcome back!

[Chris Haynes]

I may have a photo that will help you out. It is a 8 x 10 of what looks like a trade show, the back is marked with the date Mar. 15-11 Los Angles with the names L. Miller and Ford Everett. The photo is of a New Era display with a rt. side view of a bike and a left side view of another taken more from the front. The frame is more refined in my photo than the catalog photo. I am not sure how to post it , but I could scan it and e mail it to some one to post.
Thanks Jim D

Go to www.photobucket.com and open a free account. Upload your photo there. Then cut the IMG Code for you picture and paste it here.

[jim d]

I may have a photo that will help you out. It is a 8 x 10 of what looks like a trade show, the back is marked with the date Mar. 15-11 Los Angles with the names L. Miller and Ford Everett. The photo is of a New Era display with a rt. side view of a bike and a left side view of another taken more from the front. The frame is more refined in my photo than the catalog photo. I am not sure how to post it , but I could scan it and e mail it to some one to post.
Thanks Jim D

[silentgreyfello]

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.

The timer and left case on this motor looks different than the strap tank motor. It is much wider.

[MMasa]

Forgive me guys, I'm way outta my league here.
I realize its most likely a homebuilt, but is there any possibility that this might be a rough New Era prototype? I just wonder if the company might cob pipes together quickly before tube bending to figure frame geometry. Its an amazing find regardless.

I'm going to go out on a limb here and say No. I don't think that there is ANY chance that is what we are looking at here.
Mark

[bobdo]

Forgive me guys, I'm way outta my league here.
I realize its most likely a homebuilt, but is there any possibility that this might be a rough New Era prototype? I just wonder if the company might cob pipes together quickly before tube bending to figure frame geometry. Its an amazing find regardless.