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Friday, 12 April 2013 |
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 The Reading Standard Motorcycle Company began in 1903 in Reading, PA. They prided themselves on the quality and reliability of their machines, and carried the slogan "Tested in the Hills" as a testament to their work. The 1909 Reading Standard Board Track Racer at Wheels Through Time is among the rarest motorcycles on the planet. It features 61 cubic inch "base-ported" IOE engine, single speed, with no breaks or clutch. The machine also features no throttle, and is meant to be run wide open, adjusting speed with the kill switch. The bike was donated to the Henry Ford Museum in 1944, before being lost in the museum's basement for almost 50 years. Wheels Through Time Museum curator Dale Walksler acquired the machine in 1992, and had the machine restored to its current condition.
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Friday, 12 April 2013 |
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 By the late 1920s, the Big Three (Indian, Excelsior, and Harley-Davidson) were pouring valuable resources into factory supported teams for various forms of motorcycle competition. As both popularity in board- and dirt-track racing began to stall, manufacturers "took to the hill" to prove the performance and durability of their machines. In 1928 Indian debuted its overhead-valve 45 cubic inch machine -- named the "Altoona" after the giant 2.5 mile board track in Altoona, PA. This hillclimb version is the last of 30 machines ridden by Indian's best. Its special construction is different than any of the Indian road models produced. Only a handful of these monsters survive today.
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Friday, 12 April 2013 |
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 Wheels Through Time contains literally dozens of one-of-a-kind motorcycles dating back to the early days of American transporation. Many of the machines are so rare that no documentation exists. This Flescher Flyer was built by Louis Flescher in Omaha, Nebraska in 1914. Flescher owned the cities largest bicycle shop, and began production of a very small number of machines as early as 1905. While little is known about the Flescher Flyer, we do know that he built at least 4 different models, each different in design. The version housed at Wheels Through Time is thought to be the latest and most developed model he ever produced, featuring 76 cubic inch Spacke engine, chain drive, and pivoting floorboards that controlled the clutch and break.
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Friday, 12 April 2013 |
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The Excelsior Autocycle Company began in 1905 in Chicago, Illinois with the introduction of a 21 cubic inch belt-driven single cylinder motorcycle. In only a few years, the company developed a reputation for excellent performance and reliability. By 1911, the company had been purchased by the Schwinn Bicycle Company and within only a few years, were producing racing machines capable of speeds in excess of 100 mph. This 1912 Excelsior Belt-Drive Twin represents the last year for Belt-Drive on Excelsior motorcycles. It features 61 cubic inch twin cylinder engine of I-over-E design, and is capable of speeds up to 45 mph. It is preserved in original condition and is run regularly for visitors.
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Friday, 12 April 2013 |
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 In April 2009, the Wheels Through Time Racing Crew headed to Maxton, North Carolina for the East Coast Timing Association's (ECTA) Championship Speed Trials. The trials were held on an abandoned airstrip, 1.9 miles in length. Machines are given 1-mile to get up to speed before entering a 160" section of runway where speed is recorded. This 1930 Harley-Davidson DLD became the oldest machine to ever run at the event, as well as the oldest to break a record. The little 45 cubic inch machine was specially prepared by Walksler and crew, and recorded a speed of 90.374 mph in the "Altered Vintage Production Gas -750cc" Class with Dale in the saddle. Pretty amazing for a machine that was designed by HD to operated at no more than 55 mph!
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Friday, 12 April 2013 |
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 In 1920, Tom and William Henderson left the Excelsior Motorcycle Company in Chicago, Illinois to continue their mission of building the worlds finest motorcycle. The two moved to Philadelphia, PA and quickly began development of a four-cylinder 1200cc machine that would rival any machine currently being produced in both performance and styling. The ACE Motorcycle Company would producie some of America's classiest and most sophisticated machines from 1921-1926. This 1923 Ace racer is one of few Ace racing motorcycles ever produced. The machine features special shortened frame and tank, "Merkel" front end,drop bars, and factory modified engine with special carburetor and exhaust manifold. The machine is run regularly for visitors throughout the year.
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Friday, 05 April 2013 |
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Here at WTT, hundreds of America's rarest and most historic motorcycles and auto are on display, dating back to the earliest days of motorized transporation. While most of the machines housed in the collection represent the first half of the 20th Century, there are several keynote motorcycles -- especially racing machines -- that made their mark on motorcycling as recently as the past few years. 
The newest addition to the museum, and one of the "newest" bikes on display (as far as age is concerned), is an awe-inspiring hillclimber built by one of motorcyclings greatest names -- Tom Reiser. Reiser is the only man in history to win a national drag racing and national hillclimb championship. And he did both numerous times. 
Built around the infamous Harley XR750 engine, the bike runs on nitro-methane and produced in excess of 200 horsepower. The bike is approximately 10 feet long, and only barely resembles its dirt-track counterparts featuring the same type of engine. It is the 3rd in a series of four built by Reiser to compete at the highest level. 
The bike is now on permanent display at the museum, bringing the collection of rare and accomplished Hillclimbers right up to the current day!
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Tuesday, 12 March 2013 |
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On March 7th, renowned Harley-Davidson artist, David Uhl released his new Daytona Commemorative Painting for 2013, and once again, blew us away with his ability to bring his canvases to life. The subject of this years painting was inspired by a photo taken during the beginnings of both motorcycling and avaition. 
You might recognize a familiar face in the painting, which is set on Ormand Beach -- The Birthplace of Speed -- sometime in the mid-1930s. Dale is hanging from the ladder! The bike is a 1935 Harley-Davidson VL with left hand sidecar. Congrats David, and thanks for including Wheels Through Time in your amazing works! For more information, visit www.UhlStudios.com.
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Monday, 25 February 2013 |
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As the 2013 Season fast approaches, the crew here at Wheels Through Time has been hard at work in the museum and in the restoration shop, staying up day and night to help improve the museum experience for our visitors and give it a new look. 
When you visit this year, you'll hardly recognize the museum since your last trip. We've made some great changes so far, including revamping the entire mezzanine of American Dirt Track Racers, huge improvements to the "Swim Shop" and "Chopper Graveyard". The Home-made America Exhibit has a few new additions, and as alway, the boardtrack and hillclimb areas of the museum continue to improve, with some very special and rare machines making their WTT debut this season. 
In the restoration shop, Dale and myself have been hard at it finishing up various projects for the coming months. Several rare Class C dirt-track racers from the 48s and 50s will be headed for display soon, and look for several other new suprises as the season gets underway. 
The museum has annonced a few preliminary openings for late-February and March, for those eager visitors who can't wait to see whats new at the museum that runs. Regular operating hours begin on March 28th. Check out our "Admission and Hours" page to find out more.... See you then!!!!
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Tuesday, 05 February 2013 |
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Since the museum has been closed for the season, much has happened at Wheels Through Time. We've been working to create new exhibits, improve lighting and displays, and of course finish rebuilding various historic machines in the WTT restoration shop to display for the 2013 season. Its been a busy winter so far, and we're looking forward to a great 2013! Stay tuned for new information on upcoming openings in March -- We're looking forward to seeing you this spring! Until then, be sure to follow our FACEBOOK "Photo of the Day". We're bringing you a ton of great images from around the museum, in the shop, and countless other happenings in the old motorcycle world! 
Follow our "PHOTO OF THE DAY" on
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