July 31st

    July 31st, 1900

The Orient motorcycle is presented by Charles H. Metz at the Charles River Race Park in Boston, the first officially recorded motorcycle speed contest in the United States. Powered by a French Aster engine, the Orient won.

The Aster was developed from the De Dion-Bouton which was licensed to more than 150 manufacturers. It was copied by both Indian and Harley-Davidson.
Orient-Aster

    July 31st, 1983

Northern Ireland's Norman Brown and Switzerland's Peter Huber are both killed during the sixth lap of the 500cc Class British Grand Prix at Silverstone. It was a tragic accident to which no blame could be apportioned.
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