Sunday, May 1, 2016

Is George Wyman's classic motorcycle found?

A classic motorcycle allegedly as the first motorcycle used to travel across the United States in 1903 found after nearly 111 years to disappear.

George A. Wyman was an architect, who became the first gy to ride on a motorcycle travelled around the United States. He made an epic journey with a California motorcycle that starts from San Francisco, CA on May 16, 1903 and ends 50 days later in New York on July 6, 1903. Wyman got a record as the first American who rode a motorcycle in long-distance and heaviest in the world.
George Wyman was the first guy to ride a motorcycle across the U.S. in 1903. (Picture from: http://adf.ly/1ZsDZu)
California motorcycle design is very simple, using the thin tires, without shockabsorber, only two small springs under the seat, is not very comfortable to ride. Having used a few weeks, Wyman let the bike on display at New York Straight, then moved to the Golden Gate Museum in San Francisco. In less than two years, the bike disappeared without a trace.

Many rumors about the existence of the historic motorcycle, some say it destroyed during an earthquake in San Francisco in 1906, some are saying on display at a bar. Another rumor said Otis Chandler, the Los Angeles Times publisher who is also a motorcycle enthusiast, bought it in the 1970s. After Chandler's death in 2006, Wyman Memorial Association received the news about the motorcycle from one of Chandler's fellows, Dave Scoffone.
The 1902 California motorbike that may be Wyman's. (Picture from: http://adf.ly/1ZsDic)
There is no strong evidence to believe that the classic motorcycle is the original unit. However, some components show similarities such as when Wyman travel for the first time, such as a carrying rack to hold extra fuel and cargo and a small storage compartment underneath the seat post.
Wyman added the triangular storage container under the seat post. (Picture from: http://adf.ly/1ZsDic)
Tim Masterson, the project manager of the Wyman Memorial Project said that they were looking for photographic evidence or documentation to support the authenticity of the motorcycle that they get it.

"If it can be proven, this would be the state assets," said Masterson. In addition, the historic motors will also be worth very costly if it proves its authenticity. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | ATLAS OBSCURA]
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