Traub Motorcycle

[Don Coatney]

Some of you may have seen this before but this was news to me. Follow the link below.

 

http://www.heavy.com/moto/2012/04/mystery-of-the-traub-motorcycle/

[Merle Coggins]

That's AWESOME!!! The Wheels Through Time Museum is one place I definitely want to see. I've been through that area many times but haven't had the time to stop and visit the museum.

 

Merle

[T120]

I hadn't noticed it before...Certainly grabbed my interest.Thanks for posting.

[Plymouthy Adams]

my big question is how stolen property is transferred to an private owner and why was not anyone charged for the crime...admittedly the father new and concealed the evidence of the crime by hiding it..did he profit from the crime...lots of buying selling listed in that write up...

[TodFitch]

my big question is how stolen property is transferred to an private owner and why was not anyone charged for the crime...admittedly the father new and concealed the evidence of the crime by hiding it..did he profit from the crime...lots of buying selling listed in that write up...

A web search comes up with this for Illinois: "If the theft crime is designated a felony, the statute of limitations as of the time of publication is three years. If the theft crime does not fall into one of these categories and is designated a misdemeanor, the statute of limitations during which the crime can be prosecuted is one year. There are extended limitations for some circumstances, for example when a party was a minor or disabled, or in circumstances where the crime was not immediately discovered."

 

Don't know if the law was the same back then as now, but it appears that the son and father would not be prosecuted. But just because you aren't going to go to jail for stealing the motorcycle (or helping hide it) I don't see how that gives you ownership rights to sell it either.

 

I wonder if there was a stolen property report filed by the original owner and if it still exists. Seems like it should go to that person or their estate.

[Dennis_MN]

That's AWESOME!!! The Wheels Through Time Museum is one place I definitely want to see. I've been through that area many times but haven't had the time to stop and visit the museum.

 

Merle

It was a worth while stop. I was attracted by the Pilothouse pickup sitting outside, and I was on my way to ride the parkway from start to finish. (Now that was a trip I wouldn't recommend). Dale W was walking around starting up vehicles while I was there. He said that every bike and car would start and was out to show me.

[Jeff Balazs]

Not the first time I have seen that bike......but it never fails to amaze me. And the story? Wow! what a mystery.

Really makes me wonder what could have been. I have always been fascinated by the technological advances that landmark designs like this spurred on. It is a real shame that this USA built jewel was taken out of circulation when it was.

 

In the early days of motorized transportation motorcycles were a much more significant part of the picture than they became here after the Model T was developed. They remained highly significant in the UK all the way through the late 50's. Britain was the supplier of motorcycles to the world for many, many years. There was a huge pool of manufacturers and parts suppliers that greatly exceeded the output of the relatively few US makers. Some of the technology and ideas that were tested by these M/C manufacturers was and is truly mind blowing. As an example the first monoshock rear suspension actually dates back to the 20's ...shaft drive same period...oil and watercooled M/C engines even before that. Pressed steel frames in the late 20's......same for hotted up OHC roadsters. And then there was the mighty AJS Grand Prix racer of the late thirties.....a supercharged water cooled V4 that is considered to be the forebear of all superbikes of today. If you enjoy this sort of history treat yourself to a good read up on this topic. I am pretty certain that most of you will be amazed and impressed by quite a lot of what was done over there.

 

Jeff