The LeMay—America’s Car Museum in Tacoma, Washington includes a collection of motorcycles. Photographs of some of the motorcycles in their collection are shown below. (Note: British motorcycles have their own photo diary)
BMW:
BMW began manufacturing motorcycles in 1923. BMW was incorporated in 1913 as Bayerishe Moteren Werke to manufacture aircraft engines.
Shown above is a 1928 BMW R-57.
Harley-Davidson:
Harley Davidson was founded in 1903 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Shown above is a 1915 Harley-Davidson.
Sears:
Shown above is a 1910 Sears.
Excelsior:
Shown is a 1915 Excelsior.
Indian:
Indian motorcycles were manufactured in Springfield, Massachusetts, from 1901 to 1953. The company was originally called the Hendee Manufacturing Company and was renamed the Indian Motorcycle Manufacturing Company in 1928.
Shown above is a 1940 Indian with sidecar.
Yamaha:
The Japanese company Yamaha began manufacturing motorcycles in 1955.
Shown above is a 1977 Yamaha C&J Framed TT500.
Shown above is a 1978 Yamaha SR500 “Street Tracker.”
Shown above is a 1978 Yamaha SR500.
Shown above is a 1980 Yamaha Café SR500.
Shown above is a 1980 Yamaha Café SR500.
Ducati:
Italian motorcycle maker Ducati was founded in 1926.
Shown above two 1965 Ducati 250 Mach 1.
Moto Guzzi:
Moto Guzzi, an Italian firm, has manufactured motorcycles since 1921. The company was formed by two aircraft pilots and their mechanic who had served in the Italian Air Corps during World War I.
Shown above is 1951 Moto Guzzi Falcone 500cc.
Vespa:
Vespa (which means “wasp” in Italian) began production of motor scooters in 1946.
Shown above is a 1981 50 Special Scooter.
Lambretta:
Shown above is a 1960 Lambretta LI-150, Series 3, Scooter.
Derby Express:
Shown above is a Derby Express Greyhound Scooter.