Motorbike

[BARTO]

Ok, been around for a bit now but am still a bit confused by some of the lingo. What makes a bike a "Motorbike"? They don't have motors, and I've seen Mike on Pickers pick up a frame (and nothing else on it) and call it a motorbike. What specifically should I (or other non-educated folks) be looking for that would make any bike or frame a "Motorbike"??

Thanks all,
Bart

 

[SSG]

It's a style that was based on motorcycles of the teens and twenties. You have a double top bar, with the top bar dropping down to the seat tube, cross brace handlebars. Often they had a tank and sometimes an electric light.

 

[BARTO]

Interesting SSG,
In addition to your explanation I really appreciate the article.
Bart

 

[Fv2]

The same thing threw me off when I started getting into old bikes, I just thought motorbike was the olde timey way of saying motorcycle.

 

[kram]

Also I believe they are called "Motobike" and not "Motorbike". Which makes sense because there isn't a motor.

 

[ozzmonaut]

Write to the address on the article for the free catalog. Maybe it will contain even more helpful information.

 

[ChimeraCycle]

Straight downtube, no swoopy lines like later bikes.

Sent from my SCH-R970 using Tapatalk

 

[BARTO]

Also I believe they are called "Motobike" and not "Motorbike". Which makes sense because there isn't a motor.

I've seen it both ways, both motor and motobike.