From time to time, we stumble across fantastic images from various points throughout motorcycle history.  These candid shots from days gone can sometimes help to give even the slightest insight into particular details of a machine, a rider, or an era.  And sometimes, they can tell an entire story altogether. 

I ran across the photo below while looking around the museum the other day, and immediately fell in love.

In the photo is Mike Verderber aboard what looks to be a home-built dirt track special, surrounded by pit crew and friends.

When looking at photos like this, I comb over every detail, trying to uncover any bit of information I can.  The types of bikes, who is in the picture, what they're wearing, the looks on their faces... the overall mood of the scene which the photo captured....  There's plenty of factual information that can be obtained from these images, and at the same time, a world of assumptions that we can jump into to try to help us gain a better understanding of that day in history.

When examining the bike, we see the ultra-short wheelbase, and low seat position -- common among short track racers of the late 1920s and 1930s.  From experience, we know the machine is not a "factory" race bike, rather a special construction, purpose-built racer taylored to both the rider and the event in which it is to take part.  Shortened J-model tanks, and the front axle set-up (which slides through the front fork leg) also lend to this conclusion.  The  28X2.25 Firestone Cord Racing tires were the treads of choice, and power was laid to the dirt through what looks to be a late-20s twin-cam 61" with straight-fin cylinders and a single-speed countershaft hidden behind the riders leg. 

This photo was taken right off the racetrack -- the stairs and chain-link fence in the background keep what was probably a 1/2-mile dirt oval out of view.  It looks to have been a happy day at the speedway, as smiles and looks of both pride and accomplishment are prevalent.  Even the little guy on the right exudes a confidence only seen within the local Sunday hero...or his pit crew.

Luckily, the a portion of the real story was preservered in the original handwriting of the builder of this exact motorcycle.  These few words lend more to the photo than any assumptions could. 

The caption reads:
"Mike Verderber + some club members and other friends (or admirers) at Jerseyville, ILL, 35-miles north of St. Louis, MO.   This is the last and best "HOME-BREW" Special I ever built.  Shortened tanks + frame; lowered frame + engine; drop bars, home-made chainguard, and rear fender from Model "A" tire cover, racing wheels + tires, bicycle seat, engine all overhauled, balanced, polished + souped up inside.  Handled perfect."

And there you have it.  That candid moment captured in words of the motorcycle builder himself.  But the interesting thing is, he leaves no clue to whether he was even present on that very day.  Is he one of the proud in the photo.  Could he be the man behind the camera?  Or was he hard at work in the race shop on the day it was taken? Who was this guy? 

While a photo like this can answer many of our question, it can pose many others.....

Rumor has it that this machine is still around today, and is very fast, even by todays standard.  Hopefully, we'll get lucky and see it out on the track at Wauseon or Davenport one of these days.