Cyclone (motorcycle)

1914 Cyclone at The Art of the Motorcycle in Memphis
Manufacturer	Joerns Motor Manufacturing Company
Production	1912–1917
Engine	61 cu in (1,000 cc) 45° SOHC V-Twin
Power	45 horsepower (34 kW)

Cyclone was motorcycle were manufactured by Joerns Motor Manufacturing Company located in St. Paul, Minnesota from 1912 through 1917. Later manufacture was moved to Sheboygan, Wisconsin.

History

The Cyclone was a short-lived brand but made its mark by doing very well on the board track racing circuits of 1910 through the 1930s. Cyclones also did well on the dirt track racing circuit of the day winning many races. In 1914, an Excelsior lost its one-mile speed record title to a Cyclone.

Engine

Designed by engineer Andrew Strand, a powerful 61 cubic inch (996cc) 45 degree V-Twin SOHC, 45 horsepower engine was the powerplant chosen for the Cyclone. The overhead cams were driven by a vertical shaft with beveled-gear ends, and the cylinder-head had a hemispherical head combustion chamber. The Cyclone was capable of an 85 mph top speed. Joerns Motor Co. sold the original Cyclone for $350.00.

These motorcycles were often painted in Joerns' signature canary-yellow color, however they were also available in dark blue. The Cyclone's demise came in 1917, when the Joerns Motor Co. determined that they could not compete with lower cost competition.

References

• Vintage Motorcycle: Cyclone
• Cyclone review
• Theft of Cyclone