Cleveland

The Cleveland Motorcycle Manufacturing Company based in Cleveland, Ohio began making two-stroke singles in 1915. The first Clevelands were designed to be used by dispatch riders in World War I.

In February 1925 Cleveland announced their first four-stroke motorcycle. It was their answer to Indian’s four-stroke 350cc model, Prince. Cleveland’s four-stroke was fitted with a four-stroke single engine 348cc, but in all other respects it was identical to earlier two-stroke model, including two-speed gearbox. Adoption of three-gear transmission was planned for June, but finally this project was aborted and Cleveland decided to seek for a new market niche. They started to built heavier machines, fitted with four-cylinder engines (below).

In November 1925 T-Head Cleveland 600cc appeared, and in April 1926 - F-Head 600c, a faster and more sporty model. In 1927 it was redesigned and enlarged to 750cc, and then to 1000cc. In this time Cleveland introduced front brake. Other companies did the same a year later.

In 1929 Tornado Four appearred, the ultimate Cleveland model (to the left). The four-cylinder motorcycle had a top speed of 100 miles per hour (161 km per hour) and was available in either Potomac Blue or Mestipho Red with gold striping.

The Century was a 1,000 cc bike that was designed to be the 1930 model. Unfortunately stock market crash in October 1929 killed sales and only a few were made. The company closed its doors in 1930. During 15 seasons they built about 40 000 motorcycles.