LOT 162
1919 Reading-Standard 1,200cc 'Big Twin' Project Engine no. 80781
Estimate: US$15,000 - US$20,000
Lot 162
1919 Reading-Standard 1,200cc 'Big Twin' Project Engine no. 80781
The Las Vegas Motorcycle Auction|23 January 2020, 12:30 PST|Las Vegas, Caesar's Entertainment Studios
1919 Reading-Standard 1,200cc 'Big Twin' Project
Engine no. 80781
Engine no. 80781
• A unique opportunity to choose between 'survivor'or restoration
• One of a handful of Reading-Standards left
• One of America's finest 'teens' orphans rarely offered
If Reading-Standard's sidevalve engines look just like those of early Indians, it's for a good reason: they were designed by Charles Gustafson Snr. who took the idea with him when he moved to Indian to design its Powerplus motor. Gustafson's innovation had arisen from an appraisal of European design trends, and when Reading-Standard introduced its first sidevalve-engined machine in 1906 it was the only American manufacturer offering this type of power unit. Its contemporary superiority to other designs was vividly illustrated in July of that same year when a trio of Reading-Standards climbed to the top of Pike's Peak, a feat that would remain unequalled by any other motorcycle for the next five years. 'No Limit But The Law' was adopted as the company's advertising slogan. The Reading-Standard Company of Reading, Pennsylvania had built its first motorcycle in 1903 using a Thor single-cylinder 'F-head' (inlet over
exhaust, IOE that is) engine and continued to offer this type of power unit after the sidevalve's arrival. Indeed, its first v-twin of 1908 was an F-head-powered machine. The company kept pace with technological developments in its early years, introducing a parallelogram front fork, loop frame and mechanical inlet valves (on the F-heads) prior to 1910, and experimented with hub gears before introducing a three-speed countershaft transmission for 1916. Reading-Standard was acquired by Cleveland Motorcycle Manufacturing, Ohio, in 1923 and production continued for a while before the new owners dropped the R-S brand models to concentrate on their own 'four'. They, too, were to 'fall out of business' in 1929 as the Great Depression had begun to hit hard and especially in heavy industrial areas. Many other brands followed suit.
Commonly referred to as the R-S, the Reading-Standard 'Big Twin' offered here as either a rolling restoration or 'survivor' project, but with engine included, is very nearly complete. It represents an exciting opportunity to acquire a very rare example of one of America's quality pioneer marques
• One of a handful of Reading-Standards left
• One of America's finest 'teens' orphans rarely offered
If Reading-Standard's sidevalve engines look just like those of early Indians, it's for a good reason: they were designed by Charles Gustafson Snr. who took the idea with him when he moved to Indian to design its Powerplus motor. Gustafson's innovation had arisen from an appraisal of European design trends, and when Reading-Standard introduced its first sidevalve-engined machine in 1906 it was the only American manufacturer offering this type of power unit. Its contemporary superiority to other designs was vividly illustrated in July of that same year when a trio of Reading-Standards climbed to the top of Pike's Peak, a feat that would remain unequalled by any other motorcycle for the next five years. 'No Limit But The Law' was adopted as the company's advertising slogan. The Reading-Standard Company of Reading, Pennsylvania had built its first motorcycle in 1903 using a Thor single-cylinder 'F-head' (inlet over
exhaust, IOE that is) engine and continued to offer this type of power unit after the sidevalve's arrival. Indeed, its first v-twin of 1908 was an F-head-powered machine. The company kept pace with technological developments in its early years, introducing a parallelogram front fork, loop frame and mechanical inlet valves (on the F-heads) prior to 1910, and experimented with hub gears before introducing a three-speed countershaft transmission for 1916. Reading-Standard was acquired by Cleveland Motorcycle Manufacturing, Ohio, in 1923 and production continued for a while before the new owners dropped the R-S brand models to concentrate on their own 'four'. They, too, were to 'fall out of business' in 1929 as the Great Depression had begun to hit hard and especially in heavy industrial areas. Many other brands followed suit.
Commonly referred to as the R-S, the Reading-Standard 'Big Twin' offered here as either a rolling restoration or 'survivor' project, but with engine included, is very nearly complete. It represents an exciting opportunity to acquire a very rare example of one of America's quality pioneer marques
Footnotes
Offered on Bill of Sale. As with all Lots in the Sale, this Lot is sold 'as is/where is' and Bidders must satisfy themselves as to the provenance, condition, age, completeness and originality prior to bidding.
Saleroom notices
The frame number is U458.
Additional information
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