Quote:

Oh. I didn't find anywhere that it said his two cylinder engine was a "V" twin.

Looks like Timothy is still ahead




Heh, I'll play!














So you're saying that an American designed the first parallel Twin?

"Curtiss's first experience with aviation came when famed balloonist, Thomas Scott Baldwin, ordered a V-twin motorcycle engine to power a lighter-than-air ship. Curtiss's engine was a success. In 1904, using this early engine, Baldwin's "California Arrow" became the first successful American dirigible."

Curtis Museum


"He [Curtis] had his own castings made and built his first single in 1901. His products wore the trade name Hercules. The next objective was to build a V-twin and go racing."

The Illustrated Directory of Motorcycles, page 114.



Edited to add: I don't have a dog in this hunt as I like Harley and Triumph about the same. (Norton and Indian round out my Famous Four.) I de-badge any vehicle within the first hour of ownership, and I refuse to wear branded gear. I do not identify with any manufacturer's or brand and have spent many hours being amused by those who do.

Last edited by TxSpeedster; 07/28/2009 1:23 AM.

2018 FLHCS 2014 Surly Straggler - 16,000 miles and counting!