Lot # : 9 - 1918 Cleveland 13.5ci Lightweight.......

1918 Cleveland. Designed by Carl Neracher, the Cleveland single shares quite a few features with his later, more famous design, the Ner-A-Car, which was the product of his experience designing and building the little Cleveland. The Cleveland Motorcycle Manufacturing Company was, naturally, based in Ohio, and was established in 1902 with an initial short run of De Dion-based singles; that initial run lasted until 1905, after which the company took a hiatus until 1915, when the Neracher-designed A series single was introduced. A rare two-stroke in a country enamored with F-head four-strokes designed by De Dion, the 221cc (13.5 CI) single-cylinder machine was very different and used a crankshaft rotating cross-wise in the chassis. The piston was a classic early deflector piston design, but the crankshaft was one-sided, with the crankpin and connecting rod hanging free in the crankcase while the flywheel filled the rest of the case—not a recipe for good crankcase filling and consequent two-stroke power, but that discovery had to wait another 50 years. With the engine turned 90 degrees in its chassis, a 2-speed countershaft gearbox was bolted directly to the crankcase, from whence a the countershaft drove a worm gear that rotated the drive through another 90 degrees for a chain final drive and clutch (aft of the gearbox), while that shaft extended still further to drive the magneto. The Model A was a fascinating machine, with an unusual frame that split into two horizontal rails to carry the motor/gearbox unit, but was otherwise typical of the era. The light weight and ease of use made them ideal courier machines for the military, and during World War I, the little Cleveland saw extensive use in this capacity as a runabout and courier motorcycle, both in the U.S. and abroad. This bike is largely complete and just needs a few hours work to finish the restoration. Comes with a spare engine. Buyers guide A$8 -12,000