The Wagner Motorcycle Company (1901–1914) was established in Saint Paul, Minnesota, by George Wagner as an offshoot of the former Wagner Bicycle Company.[1] It produced approximately 8,500 Wagner motorcycles and was one of the first manufacturers to position the engine low down, using a "loop frame"[2] at a time when most companies were producing high-engined Indian clones.[3]
The push rod engines ranged in size from 15 cubic inches in 1904 to 29 cubic inches by 1911, had a suction intake valve and were driven by a V-belt.[4] The vehicles had many unique features not found in other motorcycles of its time, for example, using the loop frame as part of the exhaust system.[5][6] Prices ranged from $175 to $210.[7] The highly curved frames had brazed bronze fittings and early models had front baskets fitted.[8]
Women's model
In 1909, it produced a women's "drop frame" model which brought the company to national renown in the hands of Wagner's daughter Clara, one of the world's first documented woman motorcyclists.[9]
End of production
By 1914, sales had decreased dramatically, so Wagner sold the company to the Motorcycle Accessories Company.[10]
Bibliography
Winkowski, Fred. 100 Motorcycles 100 Years: The First Century of the Motorcycle. Richard E. Mancini Book Sales, 2003.
^American bicyclist and motorcyclist, Volume 6. Cycling Press, 1911
^Standard Catalog of American Motorcycles, 1898-1981. Jerry Hatfield. Krause Publications, 8 Feb 2006
^Cycle and Automobile Trade Journal, April 1, 1905.
^Telephone magazine: an illustrated monthly magazine, Volume 25. Fred B. De Land, John C. McMynn, Frederic Auten Combs Perrine, Carl E. Kammeyer. 1905 - Technology & Engineering Vols. 1-2 include a "Syntopical index to current electrical literature".
^The Vincent in the Barn: Great Stories of Motorcycle Archaeology. Tom Cotter, David Edwards. MotorBooks International, 14 Sep 2009
