American Brake Shoe Motor Bike

This is a rare example of Schwinn bicycle motorized by American Brake Shoe Company. An Excelsior Spryt Autocycle engine was mounted in the front wheel. The vehicle has been renovated (more photos)

The Schwinn Bicycle Company was founded by German-born mechanical engineer Ignaz Schwinn (1860–1945) in Chicago in 1895. It became the dominant manufacturer of American bicycles through most of the 20th century (more information). Today it is a sub-brand of Pacific Cycle, owned by the multi-national conglomerate, Dorel Industries. Spryt engine was manufactured in Great Britain by Excelsior Motor Company. It was their original construction. The engine was sold in Great Britain and exported to U.S, too. It was used in famous Corgi skooters there (more information)

American Brake Shoe Company. History

In 1901 the Ramapo Foundry Company was opened near Mahwah, New Jersey, to manufacture railroad brake shoes. It was located close to the historical bridge on Ramapo river (below you can see the board placed there).

In 1902 the factory became property of a newly formed company, The American Brake Shoe and Foundry. It grew into a conglomerate with more than 500 workers at its largest facility in Mahwah. At this complex of labs, foundries, offices and worker housing, it made railroad & automotive products, hydraulics, castings & friction material.

This locomotive was built in 1911 by Danforth, Cooke & Co. Locomotive and Machine Works, Paterson NJ for the American Brake Shoe & Foiundry Co. in Mahwah. It was sold to another company in 1925.

The company was reconstructed several times. In 1916, the American Brake Shoe and Foundry Company became a Delaware corporation. In 1926, the American Brake Shoe and Foundry Company formed a subsidiary named the American Brake Materials Corporation, which, in 1933, changed its name to the American Brakeblok Corporation. Four years later, American Brakeblock Corporation was merged in the American Brake Shoe and Foundry Company to be operated as the American Brakeblok Division of that company. In 1943, The American Brake Shoe and Foundry Company changed its name to the American Brake Shoe Company. In this time they had divisions all over the country (one of them you can see below, in a photo from 1952).

In the 50's American Brake Shoe Company made an attempt to broaden their offer. This is when American Brake Shoe Motor Bike with an engine mounted in the front wheel was made. Also a three-wheeler with the same engine was designed (below).

A three-wheeled vehicle designed for the American Brake Shoe Company of Wilmington, Delaware. 1952. Invented by Max W. Kistler.

In 1966 The American Brake Shoe Company changed its name to Abex Corporation. It finally closed in 1983.