Italian Motorcycles

Today in Motorcycle History

Excelsior Motorcycles, Made in Italy

A Brief History of the Marque

Manufactured: 1905-1912

Surely among the most technically interesting motorcycles in Brescia, and one of the most mysterious, the Excelsior boasts a clutch, single chain drive for the engine and pedals, an open central tube cradle frame arched for reinforcement, and a quite original fork with telescopic suspension applied to height of the hub.

Not to be confused with well-known American, German and British marques, this lacks documetation other than a few mentions in the journals of the day.

The engine was built by Herdtle & Bruneau of Turenne, France, a company active from 1900 to 1910 which built motorcycles with Zedel engines before manufacturing their own.

These 235cc engines have magneto ignition and a hand oiler mounted on a flat tank (sottocanna).

Sources: MC Storico Conti, et al.



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