Wagner Motorcycle Company

The Wagner Motorcycle Company (1901–1914) was established in Saint Paul, Minnesota, by George Wagner as an offshoot of the former Wagner Bicycle Company.[1] It produced approximately 8,500 Wagner motorcycles and was one of the first manufacturers to position the engine low down, using a "loop frame"[2] at a time when most companies were producing high-engined Indian clones.[3]

Wagner Motorcycle Company
Founded1901
FounderGeorge Wagner
Headquarters
St Paul, Minnesota
,
USA
Key people
Clara Wagner (racer)
ProductsMotorcycles
Wagner motorcycle, 1911 model

The push rod engines ranged in size from 15 cubic inches in 1904 to 29 cubic inches by 1911, had a suction intake valve and were driven by a V-belt.[4] The vehicles had many unique features not found in other motorcycles of its time, for example, using the loop frame as part of the exhaust system.[5][6] Prices ranged from $175 to $210.[7] The highly curved frames had brazed bronze fittings and early models had front baskets fitted.[8]

Women's model

In 1909, it produced a women's "drop frame" model which brought the company to national renown in the hands of Wagner's daughter Clara, one of the world's first documented woman motorcyclists.[9]

End of production

By 1914, sales had decreased dramatically, so Wagner sold the company to the Motorcycle Accessories Company.[10]

Bibliography
  • Winkowski, Fred. 100 Motorcycles 100 Years: The First Century of the Motorcycle. Richard E. Mancini Book Sales, 2003.

References
  1. The Motor way, Volume 14. L.L. Bligh, 1906
  2. American bicyclist and motorcyclist, Volume 6. Cycling Press, 1911
  3. Standard Catalog of American Motorcycles, 1898-1981. Jerry Hatfield. Krause Publications, 8 Feb 2006
  4. Cycle and Automobile Trade Journal, April 1, 1905.
  5. Telephone magazine: an illustrated monthly magazine, Volume 25. Fred B. De Land, John C. McMynn, Frederic Auten Combs Perrine, Carl E. Kammeyer. 1905 - Technology & Engineering Vols. 1-2 include a "Syntopical index to current electrical literature".
  6. The Vincent in the Barn: Great Stories of Motorcycle Archaeology. Tom Cotter, David Edwards. MotorBooks International, 14 Sep 2009
  7. Popular Mechanics May 1909
  8. So Away I Went! William Bushnell Stout. Ayer Publishing, 1980
  9. Making Her Mark: Firsts and Milestones in Women's Sports. Ernestine G. Miller. McGraw-Hill Professional, 29 May 2002
  10. Rafferty, Tod (1999). The Complete Illustrated Encyclopedia of American Motorcycles. England: Quadrillon Publishing. p. 256. ISBN 0762405287.
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