The arrival of a rare 1924 Ner-A-Car, ridden by a gentleman in full period attire, was the highlight of the 3rd Annual Barber Vintage Festival. As he sputtered by, the crowd eagerly followed to see where he would stop. Even with today’s motorcycle technology, it’s hard not to appreciate an 83 year-old 100 mile-per-gallon motorcycle that still runs.
Cameras were clicking left and right as I fumbled for mine. I remember thinking that a still picture wouldn’t be enough to capture this spectacular moment so I clicked over to movie mode before I missed it. Once the man dismounted his original family-owned machine, he pointed out some of the unique features such as the friction-drive transmission and hub-center steering. Seeing this marvel in person reminded me how important it is to go to vintage events like these, because pictures don’t do the machines justice.
With the top cover removed, you can see a simple gear selector that slides a friction wheel to varying diameters of the heavy brass flywheel. Wow! A manual CVT in 1924! When you get the chance to see over 1000 motorcycles in the Barber Museum, under one roof, in chronological order, you begin to fully appreciate how advanced early technology was.
Also in the museum, was a special display for the “World’s Fastest Motorcycle”. Accompanied by Dennis Manning and his Bonneville racing team, the 350mph machine is what you’d get if you spliced a Formula One racecar with a salmon.
Manning brought with him several historical land speed racers, including the 1970 record-setting streamliner he crafted. This machine had been piloted by the legendary Cal Rayburn and featured in the classic film “On Any Sunday”.
The basement of the Museum, usually off-limits to the public, contains a full restoration shop, the latest CNC machines, and a separate warehouse with another 800 untouched motorcycles. Today, the basement was open to the public for the motorcycle auction; the perfect opportunity to purchase that restored beauty you’ve been searching for.
If you have time to stop for lunch, the “track food” at the Barber Park goes well beyond expectations. The giant Turkey Leg and Fries for $6.50 can easily feed half your pit crew.
It’s really hard to explain the energy you feel at the museum, while discovering some of the rarest two-wheeled machines on earth. And, if you’re lucky enough to be there at the right time, you may see a highly-skilled technician peddle-start a 100-year old machine, like the breath-taking FN Four from Belgium with its simple shaft drive and magneto ignition.
Witnessing in person the world’s first four cylinder motorcycle sputter to life again is an experience even the Internet cannot replicate.
All photos: Brian Case
Cj says
This just goes to show that there really isn’t anything “new” per say in the motorcycle industry. We’ve either refined, repackaged or reworked things that others have worked on/built and/or scrapped and benefited. This is such a cool article and featured bike. Love to see more pic’s and video too. Thanks!
Hugo says
Nice article and it is amazing that such a well-engineerd motorcycle (the Ner-a-Car was produced in 1924! With a lot of groundbreaking ideas which still are “fresh” after more then 80(!) years. If you see things like this it is clear that the motorcycle as a product is an “old-fashioned” product in the sense that real innovation doesn’t happen anymore at the OEM’s. They all do detail work instead of really thinking new. The Tokyo motorshow shows interesting concepts but how much will make it to the streets? The funny thing is that during my graduation project I learned that motorcyclists are much more conservative then car drivers regarding appearance/design which seems like a contradiction somehow but in the end it is that mentality which “kills” a product. Remember the Apache motorcycle? Very advanced for that time and it shows you can be too advanced.
RH says
If you want to read more about the Ner-A-Car (And who doesn’t?), here’s your site:
http://mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/neracar
Definitely an intriguing machine.
hoyt says
The old man probably got a kick out of all the attention (rightfully). Cool deal.
Got to get to Barber one of these days
Matt in NC says
“I remember thinking that a still picture wouldn’t be enough to capture this spectacular moment so I clicked over to movie mode before I missed it.”
OK Brian, where’s the youtube link?
Matt in NC says
I almost forgot to ask, how’s Chris Robert’s family doing? Any leads?
Phoebe says
So awesome…I love seeing things like this.
seattle says
I like the idea of a manual CVT. Fallbrook Technologies has a high-tech version called the NuVinci CVP that is used on several bicycle models. The variable gear-ratio is selected by twisting the grip (like a throttle).
I would love to have a motorcycle with an infinitely variable gear-ratio that I could manually adjust as I rode.
Another idea is to flip the whole motorcycle concept upside-down. Rather than having the engine RPM on a sliding scale and a manual-tranny with fixed gear-ratios we could -FLIP- select engine speed/torque via a button on the handlebar (with say, with three or four different engine RPM settings) and modulate the actual speed and gear-ratio by twisting the grip like these bicycles.
Brian says
Cool idea, Seattle. Check out the Y2K bike, I could be wrong, but I think it’s got something like that due to it’s jet engine at a constant RPM. Similar to an all-electric bike only needing one gear.
But, I’m all for keeping the I.C.E. alive, and as long as we continue to make it more efficient, it will stay alive. I don’t know about you, but the sound of and electric bike just doesn’t get my blood moving. Unless you added a speaker to the bike, dubbed in some cool “Star Wars” tie-fighter sounds and linked them to the throttle.
The possibility of a paradigm shift in this industry could be another whole topic. There’s very little main stream “invention” because motorcycles have become commodities in the last 100 years, and profitable companies want to hold on to what’s working. It makes sense, but it’s a system that resists innovation. That, I believe, is why “two guys in a garage” will always breed innovation. To be continued…
Here’s my [really crappy] video of the Ner-a-car, sorry it was all I had to capture it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2NNQyMDp-eI
Ry says
Brian, Good article. I can’t agree more with actually being there to see these machines in person is not easily replicated. To think a custom bike today is lots of cnc machined parts and a little tin work, These old creations are all made by hand on primitive machinery. Truly awesome.
Brian says
Drop me a line if you do make it to the Barber, hoyt.
Tanshanomi says
Frankly, I can’t imagine today’s plasti-racers ever being this interesting, no matter how much time passes.
Clive Makinson-Sanders says
I realize this is unrelated and im sorry, but what is that motorcycle in the “autodesk” advertisement underneath this post?
Brian says
Seriously Clive, I’ve tried searching for that thing myself! The words “Cool Grip” are printed on the side, but other than that, I got nothing.
Andy says
Sorry Guys, cool concept. Back to our guest writer…
Brian – have you got any advise for those guys out there who are just starting building bikes?
those with “two guys in a garage” innovation!
Tanshanomi says
Clive,
It probably only exists as an autodesk file.
Hugo says
It’s from a German designer: http://www.danielsimon.net/
Hugo says
The bike and woman:-)
http://www.danielsimon.net/artdata/mopped/mopped.html
kneeslider says
You guys even analyze the ads on this site! 🙂 And thanks, Hugo, for the link. That’s is a pretty cool concept bike from what looks like a very talented designer.
RH says
If you like fantasy bike designs, then the racing segment in the movie “Spy Kids III” (no kidding) is beyond bizarre. Yes, I have children……
I have NO idea who designed them (the bikes, not my children, mind you!).
Brian says
Andy, don’t know what my advice is worth, but I say dream big and just build it.
Clive M-Sanders says
Getting back on topic, that bike looks like the very first scooter. what with the ergonomics.
(and thanks for the link)
ken philp says
Thanks RM for putting up my website. It’s actually been changed to http://mysite.orange.co.uk/neracar due to a take over, but the old address still works.
Just an additional note – the bike shown actually has an English engine, which I sourced for him over here, as Buddy couldn’t find one in the US. I’ve now given him a lead, so maybe it’ll get a US engine soon!
Brian says
Interesting Ken, thanks. Great website by the way.
Alice Muirhead says
Re: Rare Neracar at Barber. First of all, thanks for the nice writeup. You failed to give the “old man’s” name – Buddy Muirhead – age 79. The vintage suit with knickers was made by me, his wife. And, yes, he loves the attention, and he gets plenty of it. This bike has been in the same family since it’s origin. It was purchased new in Vicksburg, MS, and bears an unissued 1924 tag from Vicksburg, MS.
ken philp says
…and Alice has written a lovely account of the restoration carried out by Buddy! I’m very privileged to have one of the few copies!
ken philp says
My website can now be accessed by neracar.co.uk
There’s also a video of a Ner-a-car in action on Youtube.
See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-fK2igKHV0
Megan Valentine says
The man on the rare ner-a-car motorcycle at the show is my granddad. He spent a huge amount of time working on that motorcycle, painting it, finding parts, and fixing it up. You should see the trailer he pulls it in! It has a painting of him on the ner-a-car on the side, done by my cousin, and the ner-a-car logo on the back. I haven’t gotten to ride the ner-a-car yet, but I’ve definitely gotten to see almost every step in the process of the restoration.