The Cleveland Lightweight Motorcycle

The Cleveland Motorcycle Manufacturing Company, Cleveland, Ohio

Publication: Privately printed, n d (ca 1915), N P

13 1/4" x 6 1/4" sheet, folded to 3 3/8" x 6 1/4," 8 panels (including covers), illustrated. One side has 2 panels for the front and rear covers, and 2 panels advising potential markets for the motorcycle such as, for the boy, the workman, for use on week-end trips, for vacations, for the delivery man, and for all ages. The other side provides a bit over 2 panels to show the Model A-1 motorcycle with a multiple disc clutch and 1 panel for sales information and the other panel provides specifications for the Model A-1 motorcycle. The price is $170.00 and $180.00 with a starter. The vehicle has a 1 1/2 gallon gas tank, gets 75 miles per gallon, has a top speed of 35 miles per hour, and weights 150 pounds. Model A-2 is mentioned as being identical to Model A-1 with the addition of a "kick starter." The company started business in 1915 and when the Wall Street Crash of 1929 occurred the company went out of business. This brochure bears the address of Weinstock-Nichols Company as distributors for The Cleveland Motorcycle Manufacturing Company's motorcycles in California, Arizona, and Nevada. At the time they were the largest and strongest auto supply house on the West Coast. They maintained a very strong dealer network with over 48 salesmen, and motorcycle pioneer, H.J. Banta was their general sales manager in San Francisco. The Cleveland Lightweight was a durable motorcycle first introduced in 1915 with a two stroke 220 cc engine, with a sprocket turning a chain final drive. During WWI, the American Expeditionary Force used the Cleveland Lightweight as a base courier motorcycle. Very good copy. [No copies located in Worldcat. See; Motor Cycle Illustrated magazine, Nov. 30, 1916, p. 44; March 22, 1917, p.21].

Inventory Number: 41056