Lot 256: c.1915 Excelsior 61ci Board Track Racing Special

The famous American Excelsior motorcycle was produced by the Excelsior Motor Manufacturing Company of Chicago, Illinois from 1907 until 1931, latterly under the ‘Super-X’ brand name. The first Excelsior was a belt-driven single cylinder machine, the engine of which formed part of the frame. The engine itself was an inlet-over-exhaust ‘F-head’, a design then much in vogue because, whatever its limitations, it enabled the exhaust valve to be directly cooled by the incoming mixture, a positive advantage at a time when the science of metallurgy was in its infancy. 1911 was a landmark year in Excelsior’s history, for the firm was acquired by bicycle maker Ignaz Schwinn and introduced its first v-twin model that year. In 1913 the 61ci (1,000cc) twin was offered with all-chain drive, while two-speed planetary transmission and a leaf-sprung, Indian-style front fork were two innovations introduced for the following season. By this time the original Excelsior single had been dropped, being replaced for 1914 by a 250cc two-stroke lightweight. Alongside rivals Harley-Davidson and Indian, Excelsior offered a three-speed countershaft transmission for 1915, at the same time introducing a new frame with curved top tube and smoothly rounded tank, a first for Excelsior. Deeply valanced mudguards distinguished the v-twin of 1917. ‘Military’ olive green was adopted as the Excelsior livery that year and would remain the only option until 1920 when blue became the norm. In 1921 a 74ci (1,200cc) v-twin was added to the range, but by this time Excelsior had acquired the manufacturing rights to the Henderson Four and the days of the big v-twins were numbered. They were gone by 1925, Excelsior preferring to concentrate its resources on the Four and the newly introduced Super-X 45ci (750cc) v-twin.

Styled like a board track racer, and an imposing motorcycle from any angle, this Excelsior-engined ‘special’ was acquired some years ago from a West Country motorcycle enthusiast and engineer. The machine incorporates an original 1,000cc Excelsior engine (totally rebuilt around a new crankshaft), various period-correct running-gear components and a well-engineered modern frame. It should be noted that although the latter is generally correct in style for a v-twin-engined American motorcycle of the Edwardian era, it is not a replica of any frame actually used by Excelsior. Although not run for a number of years, the machine is reported to have performed extremely well when last used at the Pembrey circuit some time ago; nevertheless, careful re-commissioning is advised before further use. ‘SV 4210’ is offered with Swansea V5C registration document, the latter recording the make as ‘American X’.