• Rare American Pioneer-era v-twin
• Acquired for the collection in 1999
• Requires recommissioning following a period of inactivity

Yale's origins can be traced back to the California motorcycle of 1902. The latter had been designed by Roy C Marks and was built by the California Motor Company of San Francisco, which had been founded in October 1901 by a consortium of local businessmen for the express purpose of making Marks' machine. Automobile manufacture was another stated aim but whether any cars were actually built is not known. The California was essentially a bicycle fitted with one of Marks' patented 1½hp engines, which, like the vast majority of its contemporaries, drove the rear wheel directly by means of a belt. Despite its apparent crudity, Marks' California emphatically proved its worth when an example ridden by George Whyman completed an historic transcontinental crossing of North America on 3rd July 1903. This was the first occasion that such a crossing had been made using a vehicle powered by an internal combustion engine. It would be another three weeks before a gasoline-powered automobile did likewise.

Just a few months later California's shareholders sold out to The Consolidated Manufacturing Company, which had resulted from the merger of the Kirk Manufacturing and Snell Cycle Fittings companies. Production shifted to Toledo, Ohio where the original model re-emerged, in slightly modified form, under the Yale-California name. Consolidated owned the Yale and Snell bicycle brands and the new motorcycle was also marketed, though for a short time only, as the Snell-California.

The Yale-California of 1906 was a much sturdier affair than any of its predecessors, being recognisably a proper motorcycle rather than a motorised bicycle. An outside flywheel and direct drive transmission by belt were retained, but the surface carburettor had gone, replaced by a more modern spray type. There was little change for the succeeding two seasons but when a totally new model arrived for 1909 the California part of the name was dropped, ushering in the first true Yale motorcycle. 1908 models had featured a loop-type frame, a year or so ahead of industry leader Indian, but for 1909 the bottom part of the loop was deleted and the engine became a stressed element once again. The 3½hp 'F-head' (inlet over exhaust) motor was all new and for the first time there was no outside flywheel.

In 1910 Consolidated introduced the first Yale twin, a 6½hp model powered by an 'F head' motor. Early 1910 models - both singles and twins - had a frame with a top tube that curved upwards to meet the steering head; the down tube too was curved but this design was prone to breakage and would be replaced part-way through the year by a new frame (to the older pattern) with straight tubes. In 1912 the twin adopted the unusual horizontal cylinder finning for which this series of machines is best remembered, and for the first time there was an option of chain drive. The frame was redesigned with a sloping top tube for 1913, necessitating a new tank and giving the Yale a somewhat Indian-like appearance, while for the following year two-speed transmission and chain drive were standardised. By this time the engine - now of 7-8hp - had undergone a certain amount of revision, the most obvious change being the relocation of the magneto from in front of the crankcase to behind the rear cylinder. A kick-starter was introduced on the 1915 Yale but sadly this would be the last year of production for these handsome machines. With the coming of war in Europe, Consolidated had turned to the manufacture of munitions, a line it found considerably more profitable, and the motorcycles were dropped at the end of the year.

An older restoration that is showing signs of age but has gathered a nice patina, this rare American v-twin motorcycle was purchased for the collection in 1999 from Kazushi Tajima in Gunma, Japan. Notable features include a Bosch magneto, Schebler carburetor, and a wooden belt rim (the drive belt will need to be replaced before use). Following a period of inactivity, this motorcycle will require recommissioning before returning to the road and thus is sold strictly as viewed. Key not required.
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