Author: ian

Beautiful 1910 with coil ignition, the lovely curved front down tube and the beehive cylinder.

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Matching twins; 1914 and 1915. They go nicely with the matching couples.

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You won’t find may of these around and if you did, not so practical for modern riding conditions.

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Following on from the past post about the 8-A, I heard from Mike Love of the AMCA Chesapeake chapter who had some interesting information about the rider and his activities.

The pictures below explain the details. Thanks Mike

Model 8-A with magneto and belt drive. Some nice accessories including full gas lighting, air pump and the very desirable passenger seat and carrier set up.

Prototype from 1909. First year with magneto. At Wheels Through Time museum.

Using the 1914 and later ‘step-starter’ technique on earlier models.

After buying the bike we soon learned that she was in need of an engine rebuild. That was done last year but she hasn’t been used a lot since then. So, a new year and with lockdown hopefully ending soon, she is now being prepped for riding. This was her first start since last summer. We filled her with fresh oil and fired her up. She runs great and sounds spot on. The full motor has oil all over and she’s getting loads of lubrication. The oil will settle to the correct volume and the smoke will clear but lubrication is king.

The starting technique takes a little practice. It’s called a ‘step starter’ and requires the use of the valve lifter and a precise lick. Works well.

This video demonstrates the two-speed function. The two-speed rear hub being introduced for the 1914 season and soon replaced by the three speed trans in 1915. The foot on the rear wheel is just to show that the drive is off but the wheel really does need to be turning to enable effective gear selection, much like with a pedal cycle.

We bought the bike to make copies of parts that are missing from our ’14 two speed twin. Now that is done, the bike will be up for sale after the Covid restrictions are lifted. She is fully UK registered and comes complete with Pioneer certificate.