Motorcycle History: Part 2 In the first part of this series, we
discussed the multiple paths taken by the self-propelled bicycle
through the 1800s on its two-wheeled way to becoming a
recognized motorcycle powered by gasoline fed, internal-
combustion engines. Here we sample the frantic pace of
development as the 19th rumbles into the 20th Century, as
engines and chassis benefit from milestone-making innovations.
1899 Orient: America’s First Production Motorcycle Fans of the
original Indian motorcycle often like to remind their Harley
buddies that their Springfield splendor preceded production of
the Milwaukee marvel by two years; Indian first appeared in
1901, Harley-Davidson in 1903. But both Indian and Harley were
upstaged in the history books (generally unread, it appears), by
a Massachusetts bicycle concern called the Waltham Manufacturing
Company founded in 1893 by one Charles H. Metz. The name of his
machine, and rightful heir to the title “first USA production
motorcycle” was the Orient-Aster, better k