1939 Tracked Motorcycle

[Melensdad]

Photo was just republished by the Smithsonian, it was taken in 1939.

Anyone know any more about this that I what I've been able to find.


Tracked Motorcycle, 1938, of J Lehaitre, Paris.
Speed 25 m.p.h.
Steering was accomplished by handlebars which controlled a sideways motion of the drive belt.

From Modern Mechanix, Feb 1938.

 

[Melensdad]

Found a bit more, but still darn curious. Apparently it is for on and off road use. Not sure how the track is an advantage on the roadways. Clear advantages for offroad.

 

[GlacierSean]

What a neat piece of history. Great idea, just 75 year too early. It would be funny to put the inventor of that on this.

 

[nikos]

http://blog.modernmechanix.com/belt-drive-replaces-wheels-on-novel-motorcycle/

Belt Drive Replaces Wheels On Novel Motorcycle

DEVELOPED primarily for operation over rough ground, a new type of motorcycle invented by J. Lehaitre, of Paris, France, features a tractor-type drive belt as its means of locomotion in place of conventional wheels. Named the tractor-cycle”[ by the inventor, the novel vehicle is said to be superior to an ordinary motorcycle in its ability to climb steep and rough grades, although its speed on level ground is limited to about 25 m.p.h. Steering is accomplished by handlebars which control a sideways motion of the drive belt.

The tractor-cycle could easily be adapted for military use, as depicted on the cover of this issue by a Modern Mechanix artist. Fitted with a machine gun, the cycle could be used by dispatch riders or entire military units to travel over shell-torn terrain.

nikos

 

[nikos]

LeHaitre Tracked Motorcycle

Nikos

 

[nikos]

Lehaitre tracked motocyrcle

Nikos

 

[nikos]

The model kit.

Nikos

 

[nikos]

The model kit

(Sorry guys too many open threads)

Nikos

 

[nikos]

The German 1936 BMW snow motor

Nikos

 

[nikos]

Antique Snow bikes

Nikos

 

[nikos]

The new version - Tracked Motocycle

Nikos

 

[nikos]

Also Tracked snow bikes

Nikos

 

[nikos]

http://fleshandrelics.com/2012/03/bmw-schneekrad-and-other-mechanical.html

The BMW Schneekrad - The diagram

Nikos

 

[nikos]

As Simple as looking

1) I am thinking that the a part of the frame and the engine on the Lehaitre Tracked Motorcycle cames from the Famous British motorcycle BSA WM20.

2) The Lehaitre Tracked Motorcycle turn (Left and Right) with the extra help from the vertical system with the bars of the two side small wheels.

3) Looking the engine of the BSA WM20, the inventor - owner has change the ratio of the gears. Fisrt the large gear end then the small, instead the oposite conection on the BSA WM20.

4) As for the Melensdad's question about the Steering Accomplish which controll the motion of the drive belt on the Tracked Motorcycle 1938 in the first 1 pic, i think the answers are on the fotos with the articulated tracks, First in the foto with the bike, and then in the modern version of the Tracked Motorcycle.

The handbars turn a mechanism that moves the drive articulated belt like the way in the Stainless Steel Bracelet watch.
But what happent with a rubber belt? Is that posible?

Nikos

 

[nikos]

The Stainless Steel Bracelet watch.