Why the 1912 Excelsior was the Most Advanced Motorcycle of Its Time

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  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 20 ก.ย. 2024

ความคิดเห็น • 221

  • @ujmrider
    @ujmrider ปีที่แล้ว +5

    "They're only original once" That is a fantastic quote, and so true.

  • @TheMotorick
    @TheMotorick ปีที่แล้ว +43

    I'm glad that Matt is so dedicated to keeping the museum running. I pray that Maggie Valley promotes and supports this work.

  • @atcjoe1600
    @atcjoe1600 ปีที่แล้ว +47

    All those levers,springs and gears, so cool and I bet it smells amazing ! Hey, I’m not a weirdo (I just love old machines)

    • @seththomas9105
      @seththomas9105 ปีที่แล้ว +7

      Our neighbor lady when I grew up had a 1927 model T that her husband had bought brand new and she never sold. It still ran and she had it in the attached garage on her house. I can still smell the oil, grease, leather, gas, rubber, etc.
      Every time I get around a old machine like that it instantly floods me with GREAT memories of being a kid. This is what Dale knew, the power of memories and simpler(better?) times.
      I glad Matt and the whole crew are keeping this goingl.

    • @darrenbrisson4336
      @darrenbrisson4336 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      Ever heard the saying, "Everybody funny" George thorogood

    • @rinner2801
      @rinner2801 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      It's not weird at all, there's just something about that smell. =)

    • @AcmeRacing
      @AcmeRacing ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Car and motorcycle museums all smell like grease and old gas. I refer to it as "That OLD car smell." Like most of those places, WTT has catch pans under machines to capture drips... which is probably what we're smelling.

  • @roberthocking9138
    @roberthocking9138 ปีที่แล้ว +23

    Who ever designed that throttle linkage, that works around a moving handlebar was an engineering genius. Great bike, thanks for showing us

  • @masterofnone11
    @masterofnone11 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    My parents live over in Cullowhee...going to be visiting the museum with my Dad next month and we can't wait !!!

  • @seththomas9105
    @seththomas9105 ปีที่แล้ว +9

    My bucket list is to spend a day or two at this place.

    • @micksterboone4517
      @micksterboone4517 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      The museum is in a beautiful area, life is short.

    • @danielmorris3687
      @danielmorris3687 ปีที่แล้ว

      I think I'd need a week. 👍

    • @robertfarina8235
      @robertfarina8235 ปีที่แล้ว

      You will not be disappointed!! It is amazing and overwhelming!! Matt is a gracious host as well as the entire staff!!

    • @dennysautorepair946
      @dennysautorepair946 ปีที่แล้ว

      Go bud, do it! Just be sure to call to make sure they’re open for the day, one trip I can say you won’t be disappointed!!

    • @seththomas9105
      @seththomas9105 ปีที่แล้ว

      I should add that some friends of mine went to the museum just after it had opened. They rode from Iowa and got there right after it opened for the day. Dale was sitting by the front door talking on the phone when they rode up and he motioned for them to come in and when he got off the phone he walked in and BS'd with them for a while. Everyone said he was the real deal and the museum was a whole day visit. On my list for sure, wanna ride from Iowa and see the East.

  • @robertfarina8235
    @robertfarina8235 ปีที่แล้ว +15

    Matt , you are doing a magnificent job keeping your Pop’s legacy going. Thank you so much for treating me like royalty at this years opening day!! See you soon

  • @acr21957
    @acr21957 ปีที่แล้ว +15

    So much knowledge for one person is amazing. No idea Schiwnn made motorcycles. As always “WOW”😮

    • @BOZOSMITH-xw3ms
      @BOZOSMITH-xw3ms ปีที่แล้ว

      I agree WOW

    • @michael61985
      @michael61985 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      I think Schwinn made everything for over a 100 year period or so they even made unicycles

    • @Arcticfox7
      @Arcticfox7 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Yes, he should be working at a motorcycle museum with that much knowledge

  • @wheelsthroughtime
    @wheelsthroughtime  ปีที่แล้ว +3

    You can support the Wheels Through Time Museum and win a 1937 Harley-Davidson Knucklehead here>> wheelsthroughtime.com/win-this-bike/

  • @veb6814
    @veb6814 ปีที่แล้ว +10

    Magnificent motorcycle! Unbelievable to have something so original from 1912! Just beautiful thank you for the video!

  • @favoriteblueshirt
    @favoriteblueshirt ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Woh the throttle linkage was amazing.

  • @sprezzatura8755
    @sprezzatura8755 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    So cool to see bikes from this era. With the twin cylinders it feels like the real jump from bicycle to motorcycle.

  • @shaneellasdaicastrestorati3675
    @shaneellasdaicastrestorati3675 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Can't believe how quiet it way , just beautiful

  • @tamarrajames3590
    @tamarrajames3590 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    What a magnificent piece of work. It is so nice to see these old bikes still surviving and being maintained for people to see. My first boyfriend in 1963 rode a 1930s Matchless, and I have loved the old machines ever since going to meets and shows with him.🖤🇨🇦

  • @aarond5575
    @aarond5575 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    I love it, the history is incredible. I am a truck driver and delivered some of the first bikes to Dale, years ago. He had just retired from the Harley dealerships he owned and started "wheels through time". I spent the weekend in Maggie Valley and Dale and I had a really good time talking "shop". I drove for "Motorcycle Freight". Anyhow its a great dedication for a couple decades now and thanks for sharing.

  • @dougscott8161
    @dougscott8161 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Thanks, Matt for showing us this beautiful Excelsior motorcycle. I see that there was no provision for the rider's protection from the drive belt, which could make it to be quite dangerous to ride, but she runs and sounds like an almost new bike.

  • @dallisspicer6825
    @dallisspicer6825 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Just bought my raffle tickets. Can’t wait for November. First year I actually care about November after losing my son 16 years ago.

  • @martybadboy
    @martybadboy ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Pretty sweet that its on display without being restored.

  • @darrenbrisson4336
    @darrenbrisson4336 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    Love your museum. I'm not a motorcycle guy, but I love the history and the way you tell it, and the bikes themselves tell their own story

  • @robleary3353
    @robleary3353 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Love that these old bits of kit are still around and importantly their history/ pedigree is being kept alive. Hats off it still runs with the acquired knowledge and skills of the bloke and his team doing the vid clip!. Nice one! Nuff said. Maddog, Melbourne Australia

  • @Dave-hf1th
    @Dave-hf1th ปีที่แล้ว +5

    Totally awesome, 1912 and still running, wow

  • @davidtycker
    @davidtycker ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I just visited this place this past week end. It is fantastic and well worth a visit.👍 👍

  • @basilbrushbooshieboosh5302
    @basilbrushbooshieboosh5302 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Historic piece. Gorgeous.

  • @glennoropeza3545
    @glennoropeza3545 ปีที่แล้ว

    I visited that museum 15 minutes from Asheville North Carolina! It was awesome! And the Town of Maggie Valley is a beautiful town!

  • @carbo2950
    @carbo2950 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I hope to get another closeup look again. Thank you for your time. Beautiful when they are used.

  • @volvo09
    @volvo09 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Spectacular! What great condition!

  • @johnparsons5793
    @johnparsons5793 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Starts and runs amazingly well.

  • @dawnmathis2659
    @dawnmathis2659 ปีที่แล้ว

    Thanks for putting a smile on my face first thing Monday morning 😃

  • @Dowlphin
    @Dowlphin ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Regarding "original condition", it could be seen in two ways that are both exciting: It is magical to see the wear that time has inflicted on the bike, but also when one sees a restored one according to what it looked like from the factory back then.
    That it is still the original tires ... I guess that shows the value of simplicity. Natural rubber material no fancy stuff like softener chemicals that eventually leave the material and make it brittle.
    I wouldn't run that soot cannon in a showroom, though.

  • @larryborkstrom3580
    @larryborkstrom3580 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Thanks for showing us this bike it's amazing how it stills runs

  • @mikegamba580
    @mikegamba580 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Damn starts easier than my puch mopeds. I really think I was born in the wrong time I hate the stuff we have today but I'm fascinated with these old bikes and cars. Made to last and also made to be able for the owner to be able to do his own repairs

    • @PRH123
      @PRH123 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Reminds me of my old Puch, the pedaling to start, the magneto, the compression release, the single speed... was an awesome vehicle in it's own way....

  • @Eric-steele
    @Eric-steele 11 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Buddy what your doing is so important i thank you and hope you receive the support you deserve.

  • @michelguevara151
    @michelguevara151 ปีที่แล้ว

    allways loved veterans, so many ingenius solutions to engineering problems.
    the throttle linkages on the excelsior are a marvel.

  • @docholliday.
    @docholliday. ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Thanks for another fantastic video, Matt. I really love your videos!

  • @WAZZUjohn03
    @WAZZUjohn03 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    That throttle linkage is fascinating. Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us.

  • @steelwheels327
    @steelwheels327 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Really cool ...i'd love to see the light work too!

  • @michaelglinski3809
    @michaelglinski3809 ปีที่แล้ว

    I'm so glad you guys do videos like this. There are not many organizations that can share this information, and there's no obligation for your to do so. But you do, and it is so very, VERY appreciated.
    I was lucky enough to have visited the museum a couple years ago, and the entire staff is amazing. Every member is willing to talk your ear off about any exhibit they have, and every few seconds you hear something somewhere being started. I'm trying to drag my brother back, but I'll be back sooner than later.

  • @ptimlick
    @ptimlick ปีที่แล้ว

    I love his knowledge and passion.

  • @bytesandbikes
    @bytesandbikes ปีที่แล้ว

    What a glorious machine. I like that there is basically nothing hidden from you. It has the same will-last-forever aesthetic as the old sewing machines.

  • @casanovasmizzle
    @casanovasmizzle ปีที่แล้ว

    Music to my ears. What an amazing machine, thank you for sharing!

  • @zedhead2864
    @zedhead2864 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Man, I Love this channel! This was so AMAZING! Thanks to Matt and crew for all they do!

  • @rayrussell6258
    @rayrussell6258 ปีที่แล้ว

    I'm not a motorcycle owner, nor even a rider. But I've known about Excelsiors since I was a kid. I read a story about them being the motorcycle of choice in the NYPD fleet.
    What surprises me more than anything is that so few present-day motorcycle owners have even heard of the brand. Here's hoping your business is successful for a long time!

  • @stationaryenginesworldwide
    @stationaryenginesworldwide ปีที่แล้ว

    A truly beautiful machine!!

  • @robertnault5865
    @robertnault5865 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    That Excesior is so amazing!!! Over 100 yrs.old and still runs great!!!😊

  • @johnnylightning1491
    @johnnylightning1491 ปีที่แล้ว

    Too cool for school. I appreciate that you keep those bikes in original condition when possible. Keep up the good work Matt.

  • @Klassiccycles
    @Klassiccycles 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Probably the most beautiful throttle and timing linkage I've ever seen was on a 1910 Yale single. Absolute mechanical art.

  • @FortunateXpat
    @FortunateXpat ปีที่แล้ว

    Love your videos. Your kind of knowledge is very rare. Bravo!

  • @ellipoe
    @ellipoe ปีที่แล้ว

    Great machine. Paul Brodie's excelsior is a killer modern rebuild of this beast

  • @johngaller278
    @johngaller278 8 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Have you guys seen Paul Brodies Excelsior Board Track Replica? A wonderful homage and a true labor of love.

  • @sleezyroseoftexas
    @sleezyroseoftexas ปีที่แล้ว +1

    When we gonna get a video on some of them Choppers on the background there? That'd be Rad!
    Love what You guys do. 🤙🏼

  • @buzzpoluchi3217
    @buzzpoluchi3217 ปีที่แล้ว

    Matt, I love your enthusiasm for this fantastic old bike. Great video, too. , man.

  • @holgerwittmann8419
    @holgerwittmann8419 ปีที่แล้ว

    God i love that old stuff! What great machines these are!

  • @enfieldsingle5007
    @enfieldsingle5007 ปีที่แล้ว

    Thank you for sharing this. My great-grandfather had a 1914 Excelsior Twin. I have some pictures and the original owner’s manual, and have often wondered what it must have sounded like!

  • @G-Force_70
    @G-Force_70 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Great episode, very informative.

  • @jcricket-vr5xr
    @jcricket-vr5xr ปีที่แล้ว

    One of my favorite Bikes

  • @jononeill4202
    @jononeill4202 ปีที่แล้ว

    Thanks Matt so interesting and informative. Love to visit one day from here in Australia but for now I’ll show support through buying a raffle ticket for the bobber. Cheers Jon

  • @scootosan
    @scootosan ปีที่แล้ว

    This video was "suggested" .... as I dig things with motors whether 4 or 2 wheels and also machines without motors like Schwinn's ... what a time piece. And with all the other machines in the background ... Subscribed.

  • @garyseaton4619
    @garyseaton4619 ปีที่แล้ว

    Always a pleasure to watch your content. Learning and enjoying the most innovative motorcycle technology...

  • @barneymiller6204
    @barneymiller6204 ปีที่แล้ว

    Several years ago, a good friend of mine bought a 1911 like this model. He let me ride it and man did it go!

  • @donaldvincent
    @donaldvincent ปีที่แล้ว

    Thanks for sharing. Runs great. Quality used to be job one. I have a 1905 Kimball Player Piano that still works great. To be fair it has had required maintenance since pianos degrade just sitting but hey. it is still very impressive.

  • @wildancrazy159
    @wildancrazy159 ปีที่แล้ว

    Matt, is it possible to get a Throttle diagram? Like to see the entire system from handlebars to the carburetor.
    Even a few close up pictures then a couple of sketches.
    As everyone always says, you and your team are the best!

  • @tristanbuckoke9121
    @tristanbuckoke9121 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Beautiful motorcycle Matt . Killer video. Cheers mate

  • @cqcq374
    @cqcq374 ปีที่แล้ว

    What a neat old bike! Thanks for doing this!

  • @glenmcmillian6206
    @glenmcmillian6206 ปีที่แล้ว

    I love your channel and will sooner or later be able to come take the tour.
    But there's ONE thing you could do that would REALLY make your video's even better.
    Bring the camera in close when you're explaining some of the unique features of these priceless antiques.

  • @thinman8621
    @thinman8621 ปีที่แล้ว

    Wow! Amazing old machine.

  • @rcpmac
    @rcpmac ปีที่แล้ว

    TH-cam knew what they were doing when they directed me to this channel. Subd!

  • @yamahjett
    @yamahjett ปีที่แล้ว +5

    That mechanical throttle linkage is really cool! Now days just some boring colored wire runs out of a throttle to a servo lol; the visuals of all the mechanical action are half the draw to these old machines.

  • @michael61985
    @michael61985 ปีที่แล้ว

    Thats one beautiful bike

  • @markko17
    @markko17 ปีที่แล้ว

    Excelsior along with Flying Merkel were my two favorite names of companies.

  • @frankparnell7931
    @frankparnell7931 ปีที่แล้ว

    Thanks, Matt

  • @anthonyedwards4423
    @anthonyedwards4423 ปีที่แล้ว

    Great video. Would love to see your museum. If the headlight worked liked a miners light it used carbide and water to produce acetylene same as I used head lighting rabbits when I was a boy (71). Belt looks new too. Sounds great.

  • @Mattydunde
    @Mattydunde ปีที่แล้ว

    Awesome so cool you get to start a bike that old

  • @danielcombs3048
    @danielcombs3048 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    What we think of it as primitive technology for today's standards. Was actually the highest of technical advancement of the time. Cool then and even cooler now 👍 thanks WTT

  • @tyrssen1
    @tyrssen1 ปีที่แล้ว

    Wow, that was fantastic.

  • @steveshoemaker6347
    @steveshoemaker6347 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Matt that bike really is AMAZING.....Thanks for showing us it 👍
    Old Navy Flying Shoe🇺🇸

  • @DetroitMicroSound
    @DetroitMicroSound ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Great bike! Can we have the story of Henderson, with all your current examples? I'm also wondering what you may know about cyclecar racing. Several drivers in the 1920's used Henderson bike engines, to power their cyclecars, in southeast Michigan, and they raced those, early motorcycles, and stripped down Model T's at the State Fairgrounds in Detroit, at the time. I know this happened elsewhere around the country, but southeast Michigan and northern Ohio, had more Henderson bikes around than other states.

  • @johnkufeldt3564
    @johnkufeldt3564 ปีที่แล้ว

    Liked and subbed, beautiful collection. Cheers from Canada.Looking forward to working my way through all your content and sharing with friends here in the snowy north of Calgary, Alberta.

  • @davidbevins8796
    @davidbevins8796 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    Come for the bikes, stay for the history lesson!

    • @fidelcatsro6948
      @fidelcatsro6948 ปีที่แล้ว

      ...and loved the lecture on its specification and features!

  • @rinner2801
    @rinner2801 ปีที่แล้ว

    It's beautiful!

  • @bobg1219
    @bobg1219 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Beautiful bike!

  • @detroitboy65
    @detroitboy65 ปีที่แล้ว

    I worked on Charles Linbergh's 1920 Excelsior at The Henry Ford Museum.

  • @genestatler2514
    @genestatler2514 ปีที่แล้ว

    Wow!!! Matt, that bike is fantastic!!! Gene from Tennessee.

  • @tedecker3792
    @tedecker3792 ปีที่แล้ว

    In the 1870s I went to Deadwood SD to look at a 1912 Harley that was for sale by the original owner. The guy wanted more than my college student budget would allow. The drive belt was still flexible and usable. His secret: using bear fat as belt dressing!

  • @becoming-humble8745
    @becoming-humble8745 8 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Reminds of a movie I watched as a kid in early 60s, early Cannon ball run . So Cool chug chug chug.

  • @c150gpilot
    @c150gpilot ปีที่แล้ว

    Wow. Just Wow!

  • @johndudley5761
    @johndudley5761 ปีที่แล้ว

    Very, very interesting and informative nice work your doing 👍 cheers 🥂

  • @brianhaenlein396
    @brianhaenlein396 ปีที่แล้ว

    Once again you have made a great video. Keep it up Matt!

  • @rodfaragini7110
    @rodfaragini7110 ปีที่แล้ว

    Totally awesome

  • @operationaltactics1006
    @operationaltactics1006 ปีที่แล้ว

    'literally hundreds of times'... People are amazing!

  • @larryjohnson6385
    @larryjohnson6385 ปีที่แล้ว

    Awesomely awesome 😍😍

  • @BluesCat1980
    @BluesCat1980 ปีที่แล้ว

    This is a perfect example of the cross-bred example of motorcycles and bicycles.

  • @claridenfirn1994
    @claridenfirn1994 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    This engine sounds very healthy, wow

  • @justonemorepan1082
    @justonemorepan1082 ปีที่แล้ว

    Love your dedication and commitment Matt. How do you close the shop and sleep somewhere else? If I was left to take care of what you have, I'd sleep in the shop on my swag with my Pittbull X beside me.

  • @darrenhill4022
    @darrenhill4022 ปีที่แล้ว

    Marvellous!

  • @bobg1219
    @bobg1219 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Can you image 100mph on a bike like this, incredible!

    • @fidelcatsro6948
      @fidelcatsro6948 ปีที่แล้ว

      riders wrote their wills and emailed them to relatives before operating these machines back then!

  • @BicycleMotors-ep6pc
    @BicycleMotors-ep6pc 6 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I love classical motorcycles. It would be cool to have one that looks like that to daily ride, just not an original museum piece.

  • @srs4310
    @srs4310 6 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Wonderful

  • @michaelmitchell5909
    @michaelmitchell5909 ปีที่แล้ว

    That was crazy good!...

  • @dWRENCHEDdotCOM
    @dWRENCHEDdotCOM ปีที่แล้ว

    Beautiful motorcycle but I must say, I had to pause the video quite often for the choppers in the background... Hopefully they will get featured as well.

  • @jhndijkman
    @jhndijkman ปีที่แล้ว

    Thats so cool.