Crocker Motorcycle Company of Toronto, Ontario signed a contract with Accurate Engineering to produce reproduction engines for the big and small tank Crocker Motorcycles. Along with the expanding line of parts the Crocker Motorcycle Company has been producing, they are now taking orders for their first production series of complete motorcycle kits planned for delivery beginning in the Spring of 2007.
Crocker has been reproducing parts since 1997 and decided in 2002 to reproduce the entire motorcycle. Through reverse engineering, they now have a complete set of over 1300 CAD/CAM drawings which will make this new motorcycle a duplicate of the original.
The 1936 Crocker enjoyed the distinction of being the first production motorcycle in the US to use an "over head valve" engine, beating Harley-Davidson to the punch by 4 to 6 months before their launch of the 1936 "Knucklehead." From its first appearance on the road in Los Angeles and for many years to come, the Crocker was the fastest production bike in the world.
Crocker Motorcycle Company first plans to produce 100 "Original" type Big and Small Tank Crocker motorcycles as a signature series to commemorate the approximate 100 bikes originally produced in Al Crocker's factory at 1346 Venice Blvd in downtown Los Angeles. The new Crocker Big and Small Tank models will be visually identical to the original but will be updated internally.
Unlike Indian, which bought the name and designed a new bike with an old trademark, Crocker will build a brand new "old" bike. I've never really understood the idea of buying an old name for new designs and we've discussed the issue in some depth here on The Kneeslider. Reproducing an old bike, however, is an interesting project and will give today's riders the opportunity to ride an original without the hassle of restoring a bike from an incomplete pile of old parts.
Photo below:
Link: Crocker Motorcycle Company
Link: Accurate Engineering
Related: Motorcycle Companies Reborn Indian Motorcycles Restarts in North Carolina
hoyt says
awesome !
RH says
Neat! All that’s left to remanufacture is the ol’ Cyclone OHC boardtracker engine – and bike.
Steve Choiniere says
JEEZ, that’s beautiful! That’s one kit I’d like to get my hands on… IF I could afford what the price will probably be, “sigh…”
Glenn says
Only too cool!!! When can we expect the Cyclone, Power Plus, Brough Superior and Vincent???
Marshall Jones says
I’m wondering if these kit bikes will have the option of disc brakes, like the Kiwi Indian kits. I don,t know about the rest of you, but my old rigid frame panhead was an experience in a panic stop. Just food for thought.
Laurie says
You may be interested in knowing that the founder of the New Crocker Motorcycle Company, Markus Karalash, has recently headed up the new division at The Guild of Automotive Restorers. More info can be found at the above website
Buzz Webber says
WoW! Thanks for that important info Laurie. Fantastic!!! I was thinking about sending them my vintage canoe for restoration and with Markus Karalash there I have decided to ship it out this week.
Marko says
Markus Karalash no longer works at The Guild of Automotive Restorers. I don’t know anything about him heading up a motorcycle division, but there are some photo’s of him sanding a wooden boat on the Guild site. No motorcycle info or photo’s at all.
Michael Schacht says
Mark Karalash is no longer associated with the Crocker Motorcycle Company
Shawn Richards says
I am interested in newly engineered motorcycles! Would like to see the Indian inline four come back!
In the loop says
Crocker Motorcycle Company breaks ties with Barry Wardlaw and Accurate Engineering!
June 2009
Barry Wardlaw and Accurate Engineering of Dothan Alabama are facing litigation for breach of contract regarding the assembly of Crocker Motorcycle Company engines, and could be facing criminal charges for theft of Crocker intellectual property and proto-type parts. Wardlaw is accused of unlawfully selling the Crocker proto type engine to a well known custom builder. Crocker is currently gathering evidence to support its claims and has retained council in Dothan.