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Motor Cycle Collection
Museum Victoria holds a small but interesting motorcycling collection including 13 motor cycles and scooters, 1 motor cycle model, 3 auto cycles (power-assisted bicycles), 14 motor cycle engines and other accessories such as clothing, trade literature and engine components. The collection began with the acquisition of the locally-built Liberty motor cycle and a sectioned Moto Reve engine in 1916. It was gradually built up from 1925 to 1942 by the acquisition of further sectioned engines and other components. No further additions were made until the 1960s and it was not until 1971 that the second complete motor cycle, the Harley Davidson 'Pup' was acquired by donation. The remainder of the collection was then developed between 1971 and 1983 through donations and some targeted acquisitions.
Technically the collection includes many of the most important developments in motor cycle design throughout the 20th century with representative examples of Australian manufacturers and some of the leading British, American, European and Japanese manufacturers. The Museum's collection of trade literature and photographs also help to document some of the social and historical context of motorcycling in Australia.
Items per page: 10 50 (showing 1 - 10) 23 items
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Motor Cycle - Indian Scout, 600 cc V-Twin, Hendee Manufacturing Co, Springfield, Massachus ...
The Museum's Indian motor cycle is a 1923 Scout bought new in Adelaide. This machine had only one owner before being acquired for restoration. It was purchased by the Museum in 1986. Wi ...
From: Springfield, United States Images: 2 -
Motor Cycle - BSA Model K, 1916
BSA Model K three-speed belt-drive motorcycle with vertical single-cylinder side-valve engine, manufacture in 1916. The Victoria agent for BSA motor cycles was Milledge Bros from 1912 t ...
From: Birmingham, United Kingdom Images: 2 -
Motor Cycle - Suzuki RE5 Rotary, 1975
The Museum purchased this example of the Suzuki RE5 from the Melbourne Motor Cycle Company Pty Ltd in South Melbourne in 1977, shortly after production ceased. It features the original ...
From: Melbourne, Australia Images: 2 -
Motor Cycle Engine - Indian 'Powerplus', 1916
'Indian' motor cycles were produced by the Hendee Manufacturing Company at Springfield, Massachusetts, USA in what was at one time the largest motorcyle factory in the world. Founded by ...
From: Springfield, United States Images: 1 -
Motor Cycle Model - Brough Superior SS100
History The Brough Superior was built between 1920 and 1940 by George Brough at his works in Haydn Road, Nottingham in the United Kingdom. This motorcycle established itself as one of ...
Images: 2 -
Motor Cycle - Ariel Mk. 1, Square Four, 1950
Founded in 1898, Ariel Motors of Birmingham, UK produced three-wheeler De Dion cars before beginning motor cycle production in 1902. Initially the company built conventional single cyli ...
From: Birmingham, United Kingdom Images: 2 -
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Motor Scooter Engine - Lambretta LD, circa 1955
Along with the Vespa, the Lambretta motor scooter built in Italy became a popular and stylish form of transport in the 1950s and 1960s. The Innocetti company in Milan began production o ...
Images: 0 -
Cycle Motorwheel - Wall 'Auto-Wheel', circa 1914
The Wall Auto-Wheel was designed to be attached to a pedal bicycle. It was patented (No. 14,967) by Arthur W. Wall of Birmingham in 1908 and made by Auto-Wheels Ltd in London, UK. A 20- ...
From: London, United Kingdom Images: 1 -
Motor Cycle - Triumph Thunderbird, 1951
The Thunderbird was one of the most popular British motor cycles of the post-war years, being particularly well suited to the requirements of police forces, sidecar users and club racin ...
From: Coventry, United Kingdom Images: 2 -
Motor Cycle - 'Planet', Twin-Cylinder, 1497 cc, 1916
This hand-made motor cycle was built by John Oliver who ran a motor car and motor cycle repair business in Melbourne. Oliver was born at Talbot in central Victoria in 1872 and served an ...
From: Kew, Australia Images: 3
