The cover bike for this 1987 issue of Classic Bike was a new acquisition and restoration by the Sammy Miller Museum. The radical new bike had been built by Ernie Earles of Earles fork fame in the early 1950s, whose company Elms Metals was working hard on bring the aluminum construction expertise from the aircraft industry to the motorcycle industry. This BSA powered motorcycle utilized a welded aluminum tube frame, possibly the first of its type, though the short production Mercury had a cast aluminum frame in the thirties. Aluminum welding was brand new, having only been introduced in 1944.
The idea faded after a few prototypes, probably a case of too much, too early and the first production aluminum frame had to wait for the Suzuki RG250 in 1983.
The Earles fork (usually done in steel) was much more successful, becoming a staple for BMW.
Tig welding aluminum was developed in the 40s but gas welding aluminum was done as early as 1918.
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