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In 1902 the American Cycle Co. started making Motor Bicycles. This trust company included quite
a few bicycle manufacturers marketing under names such as Pope, Monarch, Crescent, Imperial, Cleveland, and
Rambler. This trust would fail in just 2 years and Pope would end up taking control.
Consider the fact that the first Indian Motorcycle was also made in 1902 and the first Harley-Davidson in 1903. This makes Pope one of the earliest motorcycle manufacturers. These early machines were primitve by todays standards. Pope would continue to make Motor Bikes until about 1905 still sporting the names of the American Cycle Co. In 1911 Pope came out with a full size motorcycle that was a single cylinder and in 1912 a V-Twin. They would continue to be made until 1918.
This 1902 Rambler Motor Bike is at the newly opened Museum of Springfield History in Springfield Massachusetts.
Early Pope Motorcycle. Courtesy of the Museum of Springfield History.
These were made in the Westfield Massachusetts factory. http://www.springfieldmuseums.org/the_museums/springfield_history/
Below is a photograph of Pope Motorcycles at the Westfield factory.
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