My Wyman obsession

[antique-rider]

Well not only is Rif obsessed with George Wymans story, I am too. I knew I'd never (well...probably never) ride from coast to coast to replicate his adventure, so instead I built a replica of his California Motorbicycle as it looked in May 1903. I really went over board with this project, the only way I'd be happy with it was to look very authentic. So I built a replica engine. I haven't run it yet, but I still take to shows to spread the Wyman story. In fact a lot of the parts on this bike are turn of the century, the frame, seat, handlebars, goose neck, cork grips, etc. This is it at a local vintage motorcycle show.

 

[Tom Bartlett]

antique-rider;
Stunning creation... Care to share more details on how you created the replica engine?
Tom

 

[OldPete]

Me too! How bout some close-ups of the engine.

Looks good! *drewl*

 

[Jim H]

Yeah baby!!! that's too nice...

 

[drimpact]

You have my attention also ...

It still ammazes me how much our bikes are so similar to the first motorcycles

 

[uncle_punk13]

I hope I'm not steppin' on your toes 'rider, but here's a teaser...

 

[uncle_punk13]

You have my attention also ...

It still ammazes me how much our bikes are so similar to the first motorcycles

That is exactly why I like 'em! I know I'll never have the *spare* 50-100 thousand dollars to spend finding, buying, and restoring an original; so I build these up and it's as close as I can get, it's affordable, and it's as much fun (to me anyway) as anything! I'm good with that...

 

[antique-rider]

Like I said, I really went overboard with this one.... First I had to design the engine only going on photos and general dimentions I scaled from those photos. I started with the crankcase and built a wood pattern to make an aluminum casting from. I had made a number of castings for other projects, so I was no stranger to pattern making and machining. I planned it around a 6hp rototiller crankshaft (highly modified) I had. then I came up with a 1920's Briggs engine, the cylinder was almost exactly the right size and fin count. I cut it off of the case and welded a flange to the bottom, also used the piston and rod from that engine. The head was another casting to match the cylinder. anyway..... more to come if you want.

 

[srdavo]

bring it on.....

 

[OldPete]

Awww...casting sprues.

That is like looking at a new-born part. Sweet!
Yes, more please.

As childern my brother and I built a Bessemer furnace out of fire brick, used the vacuum w/the hose reversed for air, burned all dad's charcoal, melted about 2# of aluminum and cast nothing.