1912 Yale "4P" Belt-Drive Single

Specifications:
473 cc single-cylinder engine

The Yale motorcycle began life as the 'California', built by The California Motor Company of San Francisco circa 1901 and, despite its name, is unrelated to the Ivy League university. In October 1903, The Consolidated Manufacturing Company acquired the rights to the California motorcycle. They moved the tooling lock, stock and cylinder barrels to Toledo, Ohio, and changed the bike's name to Yale. Their new product got a major push when in that same year a benchmark in motorcycling history was accomplished aboard a 90 cc California piloted by George Wyman.

Wyman became the first motorcyclist to make a transcontinental trip across America. Starting in San Francisco, he traveled more than 3,800 miles on his spindly 1.25-horsepower machine over non-existent roads. 50 days later he arrived in New York City, missing the 1903 Fourth of July by just two days. His hands were wrapped in bandages and he had to pedal the motorcycle the final 150 miles! But he completed his journey, and newspapers and magazines of the day gave extensive coverage to the event, bringing The Consolidated Manufacturing Company, George Wyman and the state of California to the public eye.

Considered a gentleman's machine, with a stalwart reputation for reliability, the Yale 4P came appointed in elegant gray accentuated by polished nickel hardware. The distinctive cylinder slung under the top frame member carried fuel while the large canister set astride the handlebar contained acetylene for powering the headlamp. It was started by pedaling with the rear wheel up on its centerstand, while the belt-drive propelled the bike. The 4P emblazoned on the gas tank along with the Yale logo stood for the rated horsepower, sufficient for a brisk but well-mannered 45 miles per hour.

The Yale became one of the more successful of the early independent motorcycle manufacturers, as the company was better capitalized than most other bike builders of the day. As a result, they were able to continue with their single-cylinder machines and also develop a V-twin model. The company was in production until 1915 when it switched to building more profitable products for the war effort. This very correct example remains in excellent condition and would contribute greatly to any collection of pioneering American motorcycles.