Oregon Vintage Motorcyclists

Attention OVM club members. Northwest Vintage Car & Motorcycle Museum is looking for approximately 15-20 motorcycles that symbolize the innovation, development and significant turning points in motorcycle history. Motorcycles will be on display from mid-March 2026 through the end of September 2026. If Interested email NWVCMM@icloud.com

Below are proposed examples of innovation and some corresponding motorcycles that represent motorcycle development from the early days to present time, but we’re absolutely open to suggestions or alternatives if anyone has a similar motorcycle they would be willing to loan.

Early bicycle type motorcycle:
Circa 1907 and demonstrating the transition from single speed belt to a transmission
Examples include:
Harley Davidson, who introduced multi-speed transmissions in the 1914-1915 years. A Harley Davidson Knucklehead 1939 is an example of early use of overhead valve and 1st year using bobber tanks and the dash they still use today.

Early 2 stroke design:
Examples include:
Scott 2 stroke

Overhead cam design:
Examples include:
Ducati Singles - 1950-1974
1926-1948 Velocette K Models
1931-1957 Norton International (Bevel drive)
1947-1962 Manx Norton

Suspension:
Circa 1920's to 1930's. A couple of bikes that demonstrate the transition from girder to telescopic forks.
Examples include:
Velocette patented their swinging arm with hydraulic dampers rear suspension sometime in the early 1950's when rigid frames were phasing out.
Norton Isolastics rubber mounted suspension
1974 Yamaha YZ250 or a YZ360B the 1st monoshock dirt bikes
1969 Honda CB750 saw disc brakes introduced

Telescopic Forks:
Examples include:
1908 Scott (spring only)
1934 Nimbus (oil dampened)
1935 BMW R12/R17 (oil dampened)

Engine design:
Examples include:
Single cylinder
Horizontal cylinder (e.g., early Moto Guzzi)
Vertical (British single)
Horizontally opposed (e.g., BMW or Douglas)
Water-cooled engine (e.g., Suzuki GT750 Water Buffalo)
In line 4 (e.g. early Honda CB750)
V twin for and aft
V twin (e.g. Moto Guzzi transverse 1967 -1969)
Pre-Unit / separate engine and transmission
Rotary engine (e.g., Hercules, Suzuki RE5, Norton)
Unit construction engine

Styling:
The style of motorcycles that changed the industry could show of changes in motorcycle style
Examples include:
A basic dirt bike...an enduro...
First adventure bike was a 1981 BMW R80GS
Early Grand touring bike was the Honda Gold Wing in 1974
An electric bike

Other:
We’re also open to any other suggestions concerning major design elements in the evolution of the motorcycle