Honda RC161 questions

This machine resides at the Henry Ford Museum. I'm trying to find out how and why they have the winning bike of the 1961 250 GP championship. It's a significant piece, after Jim Redman finished fourth in 1960, RC 161s took the first five places in the 250cc class in 1961. ("Hello, we've arrived!") Apparently Soichiro Honda himself came to visit the bike in 1989.

 Then I find what appears the same bike or an identical bike at the AMA museum in Ohio, at least it seems to have been in 2018... (bottom image). I might have to visit both museums again.

 

Rolling Physics Problem

1953 Ford Police Special

Best wait for 1954, this is the last year for the Flathead V8. 

Sidecar Sunday

 

Kleinanzeigan.de

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDGlN6mluGA

Norton Manx

Moto Revue de Paris 

 At first glance it was just a nice drawing of a high pipe Manx, a squint and the head is reversed? A little googling, and I found this article. Lots of comments too.

Opening of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, 1909

 

Stamped Gray #275 wrench

We're used to seeing high quality Gray wrenches, this very basic stamped 1" and 7/8" wrench seems very unusual, as is the specific location- Toronto, Canada identification. The 1" end has been modified to 1 1/8". Perhaps this is the oldest Gray in captivity!

Thanks, Inno!

 

1925 Doble steam car

 The Doble steam car company started in 1910 by the four Doble brothers, they progressed in fits and starts as they worked through the inevitable technical and financial challenges.

 The car shown was the high point of the company's development. It had a flash boiler that operated at 600-750 lbs per sq in and produced a full head of steam in less than a minute. The four cylinder engine was connected directly to the rear axle, without transmission of clutch and the car was easily capable of 90 mph almost silently. One useful feature was the condenser whch allowed the 24 gallon water tank to last for more than 1500 miles. The fuel was usually keorsene and gave fuel economy of about 10 mpg, tolerable for a 5000 pound luxury car. The company lasted two years into the depression and closed in 1931..

Deuxe Phaeton

 

Amsterdam, 2023

 

Villiers 2F

Basic two stroke engine with clutch and no transmission, built for mopeds. Cutaway drawing by Vic Berris.

Niagara Tool slating hammer

 Another slating hammer, it's surprising that there are as many makers of these tools as there are but I guess slate roofs were pretty much the only choice before asphalt shingles. 

We covered the Niagara Machine Tool company in a previous post, but as a manufacturer of sheet metal machinery, rollers, shears and brakes, no mention of hand tools like this specialied hammer.

 

BSA Wankel

Single rotor Sachs snowmobile engine fitted into a BSA Starfire, built as a test bike by Norton while developing the Rotary. More on Rotary engine motorcycle history here.