The Pope Model L was a motorcycle produced by Pope Manufacturing Company in Westfield, Massachusetts,[1] between 1914[2] and 1920.
 | |
| Manufacturer | Pope Manufacturing Company |
|---|---|
| Production | 1914–1920 |
| Engine | 61 cu in (1,000 cm3) OHV carbureted V-twin Iron cylinders, aluminum crankcase |
| Bore / stroke | 3.328125 in × 3.5 in (84.5344 mm × 88.9000 mm) |
| Power | 15.4 hp (11.5 kW) |
| Ignition type | Bosch magneto |
| Transmission | Three speed, chain drive Eclipse multiple-disk clutch; lever on left side of chassis |
| Suspension | Front: Leaf spring Rear:Twin coil springs |
| Brakes | V-band brake actuated by backpedaling |
| Tires | 28 in × 3 in (711 mm × 76 mm) clinchers |
| Wheelbase | 56.25 in (1,429 mm) |
The Model L was, at 70 miles per hour (110 km/h), the fastest motorcycle in the world when introduced.[3]
It was technologically advanced for its time, with features not found on other motorcycles, such as overhead valves, chain drive (from 1918) and multi-speed transmission.[4][5] It was also expensive at $250, as much then as a Model T automobile.[1][4] (Another source of competition were cyclecars)
Specifications
editSpecifications in infobox to the right are from the Smithsonian Institution.[1]
Postage stamp
editA five cent United States postage stamp was issued in October, 1983, with an engraved image of the Pope Model L.[6]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c "America on the Move | Pope Model L motorcycle". National Museum of American History. 2008-10-24. Retrieved 2009-08-14.
- ^ "Pope advertisement", The Saturday Evening Post, April 4, 1914
- ^ Carroll, John (1997), The Motorcycle a Definitive History: A Comprehensive Chronicle of Motorcycles Throughout the World, Smithmark, ISBN 0-8317-6292-6
- ^ a b "1918 Pope Motorcycle", Jay Leno's Garage (blog), November 2, 2007, retrieved 2013-10-16
- ^ Motorcycle: The Definitive Visual History, Dorling Kindersley, ISBN 0756690528
- ^ Thomas Myers (May 16, 2006), "5-cent motorcycle [stamp]", Arago: People, Postage and the Past, Smithsonian Institution
External links
edit
Media related to Pope Model L at Wikimedia Commons
