1913 Thor 500cc Single

Engine no. 13M28

• Same family ownership for nearly 40 years
• Believed original example
• Great patina
• Stored since 2005

Such was the immediate success of Messrs. Hedstrom and Hendee's Indian motorcycle, that the firm was overwhelmed with orders and had to turn for assistance to the Aurora Automatic Machinery Company, of Aurora, Illinois, which from October 1902 was contracted to build the Hedstrom-designed engines under license. It was natural for Hendee to ask Aurora, since they were already producing castings for their motorcycle.

This deal permitted Aurora to build its own motorcycles and sell surplus Indian engines under its 'Thor' brand name, and the availability of these high-quality proprietary motors enabled a number of independent firms to commence motorcycle manufacture, among them Reading-Standard, Manson and Warwick. Aurora simply had to pay royalties to Indian if they sold surplus and had to make sure they were not providing engines to Indian competitors. By 1902, we estimate that Aurora produced about 150 motors for Indian.

In 1903, Thor had a catalog of parts allowing anyone with a bicycle to turn it into a motorcycle, and thus began the Thor Moto Cycle and Bicycle Company.

The Thor motorcycle remained essentially identical to the Indian until the agreement's expiry in 1907, after which the two makes diverged. Thor's single-cylinder engines were mounted vertically in 1909, and in 1910 the company introduced a new 'F-head' engine of its own design. This was doubled up in 1911 to make the Model O v-twin featuring mechanically operated inlet valves, although the single retained the 'atmospheric' type for another year or so. From the start of production, Thor had mounted its v-twin engine with the rear cylinder vertical, but from 1912 onwards adopted the more conventional placement. That same year the twin was extensively redesigned, becoming the Model U, and in 1914 its capacity was increased from 61ci to 76.25ci. In 1920, the Board of Directors decided to stop the motorcycle production and focus on power tools and home appliances like irons, dishwasher and washing machines.

The Thor presented here was bought in the late 1980s and is in fully original and unrestored condition. Everything from the paint to the components is original. The bike has been stored since 2005 and was apparently displayed only two times on some Christmas Runs in Irwindale.