Built in the hills of Eastern Pennsylvania, the Reading Standard (1903-1922) maintained the slogan "Tested in the Hills." Early Reading models were of the side valve configuration under the design of Charles F. Gustafson before he transferred to the Indian brand.

Reading Standard entered the racing game in 1907. They developed a series of successful I over E racing motors and sponsored a field of professional riders including Ray Seymour and Frank Hart. In July of 1909, Ray Seymour set a new one-mile record in the Los Angeles Coliseum motor dome, lowering the one-mile record to 47 seconds at 76.6 m.p.h.

This unique "one off" Reading Standard is probably Frank Harts special. It was donated to the Henry Ford Museum in 1940. It remained undiscovered at the Greenfield Village facility in the basement of the home of Henry Ford's friends, Orville and Wilbert Wright for 50 years.

It was sold to the Wheels Through Time Museum in 1990 and was restored by Steve Huntzinger during 1992 & 1993. It is presently in operating condition and is started and ran occasionally. This 1909 Reading is probably the most elegant early board racer in existence.