Has Wyman's 1902 California Been Resurrected?

1902 California
(Click here for more pictures)

The George A. Wyman Memorial Project has been contacted by a private collector who believes to be in possession of 'The' Wyman 1902 California motor-cycle.  This beautifully restored 1902 California was acquired by Dave Scoffone in 2006.  More about that later...but first some background.

Sometime in 1902, George Wyman took possession of a Regular Model California motor-cycle, designed by Roy C. Marks.  This motorized bicycle was manufactured by the California Motor Company located at 305 Larkin Street, San Francisco, CA. (Other reports suggest the CMC facilities were at 2212 Folsom Street)

Aux Tank & Cargo Rack

Farkle behind gas tank

Wyman modified the stock Regular Model California in preparations for its transcontinental journey.  He installed a carrying rack behind the battery box for an auxiliary fuel tank and cargo.  He also fabricated a small triangular storage compartment under the seat post in the area formed by the center frame and rear suspension down strut. (This particular Farkle had not been seen on any other Regular Model California)

It was the first motorized vehicle to make a transcontinental journey across America. Beginning May 16 in San Francisco, this 1.25 horsepower motorized bicycle would climb mountain ranges, cross deserts, motoring over vast prairies and through the industrial heartland of America to finish 50 days later in New York City on July 6, 1903.

After reaching New York City, the motor-cycle was put on display for a few weeks then shipped back to Wyman's home in San Francisco.  There, it was put on display in the Museum at Golden Gate Park for a couple of years.  It whereabouts after that begin to fade from public knowledge.  Wyman reported in a 1958 interview by the Oakland Tribune, to have lost track of it after 1905.  It was rumored to have changed hands several times.  Urban legend has it was purchased by a bar in San Francisco and hung from the ceiling for a time.  Or, it was lost in the great earthquake of 1906.  It disappeared from public view for over 60 years.

Fast forward to the 1970s.  Otis Chandler, publisher of the Los Angeles Time, was a well known collector of motor vehicles.  His motorcycle collection was regarded as one of the finest in existence.  His passion was obtaining rare, often unique specimens and restoring them to near perfect condition.  Otis and his team of scouts would search garages, basements, barns and warehouses for opportunities to add to his marvelous collection.

It was one of these finds that brought Mr. Chandler to a garage in San Francisco. There he found a badly deteriorated 1902 California, rusted out, tires rotted away, parts broken and missing.   He acquired this wreck of a motor-bicycle and was convinced by the seller that it was the 1902 California used by George A. Wyman to ride across America in 1903.  Otis must have had good reason to believe it was Wyman's motor-cycle.  Unfortunately, no account or documentation of that transaction, along with any photographs of the condition of the bike as it was found have surfaced.  Over the next several years, he set about the task of restoring the bike to original 1902 condition.

The restored 1902 California was put on display at the Chandler Vintage Museum of Transportation and Wildlife, in Oxnard, CA.  From time to time it was loaned out to other museums and collection venues.  Here is a couple of press clippings about the 1902 "California."

• Otis Chandler motorcycle collection merits review, Santa Paula Times, March 3, 2000:  "You'll be amazed to see a 1902 California motorcycle that completed the first motorized trip across the United States."
• Show of shows: Rare motorcycle collection smooth riding at California Oil Museum, Santa Paula Times, April 19, 2000:  "Wayman's(sic), a 1902 California, a rarity indeed, is featured at the California Oil Museum where “Rare Motorcycles from the Otis Chandler Collection” is drawing in motorcycle and history buffs alike."

In 1994, Dave Scoffone met with Otis Chandler. As fellow vintage collectors, they share a deep passion for the history of American motorcycles and the significant impact the industry had on the industrial revolution of America. Dave and Otis exchanged many stories about different bikes and their unique history(s) and between the two of them had more than ample historic bikes to share their stories.

Over the years the stories and discussions continued, but there was never a bike trade made between them. Dave only wanted certain bikes that Otis had and visa versa.  It was a friendly sharing of the passion as neither were willing to part with their treasures.

In 2005, Otis was quite ill and it seemed time to part with his collection. Dave and Otis discussed the specific bikes that were going to be purchased by Dave but Otis became so ill that the bike negotiations took a back seat. In February of 2006, Otis Chandler died at age 78.

The Otis Chandler Collection was auctioned off by Gooding & Co in October, 2006 and Dave was there.  Although there were seven bikes that Otis and Dave had earlier agreed on, Dave felt very fortunate to acquire three of Otis's prize motorcycle possessions from the auction. Yes, the 1902 California was one of the three and the main prize.

Today, Dave has several rare and vintage motorcycles.  He shows selected pieces

at exclusive events and venues throughout  western United States.  He was delighted to find out about the George A. Wyman Memorial Project and immediately joined as a Wyman Memorial Plaque Sponsor.  We have commissioned a special Wyman Memorial Journey Plaque to accompany the 1902 California while on display.

The George A. Wyman Memorial Project, Inc., would be thrilled if Dave's 1902 California can be authenticated as the Wyman motor-cycle.  And, we are excited to work together with him to help obtain the documentary and photographic evidence necessary. Regardless, it is the finest example of the Regular Model 1902 California yet to be found.  It is priceless in its current state. If proven to be the one ridden by George A. Wyman across America, it will be the antique motorcycle find of the century and truly, a "National Treasure of the First Order!"

"Linking the Past to the Present to Enrich the Future"

Press Coverage...

Dateline April 21, 2016:  Atlas Obscura covers the G.A.Wyman Memorial Project announcement of the 1902 California resurrection.

Found: A 1902 Motorcycle That May Be the First to Make It Across the U.S.

George A. Wyman's bike has been missing for decades.  By Sarah Laskow April 21, 2016

Dateline April 30, 2016:  Road and Track covers the G.A.Wyman Memorial Project announcement of the 1902 California resurrection.
First Motor Vehicle To Cross America May Have Been Found
In 1902, ​George A. Wyman went through hell crossing the continent on a California motorcycle.  By Blake Z. Rong, April 30, 2016

Dateline May 2, 2016:  Popular Mechanics covers the G.A.Wyman Memorial Project announcement of the 1902 California resurrection.
Rediscovering the First Motor Vehicle To Cross America
In 1902, ​George A. Wyman went through hell crossing the continent on a California motorcycle.  By Blake Z. Rong, May 2, 2016

Size Matters - The 1902 "California" Used by Wyman

The engine size (displacement) of Wyman's California motorcycle matters.  Was it 90cc (5.5 cu.in) or 200cc (12 cu.in).  Both sizes have been widely reported in connection with the Wyman California.  Our research team has been examining this issue to determine the likely displacement of the California that carried Wyman, with all his gear, 3,800 miles across America.

It is unlikely a 90cc displacement would produce 1.25-Horsepower often attributed to his motorcycle.   Here is a quote from an article written for the Wikipedia Motorized bicycle page...

"Other sources state that the Marks engine in the California was only 90 cc in displacement, but a 1901-vintage 90 cc low-compression four-cycle engine running the 30-octane gasoline of the day was unlikely to generate 1.5 horsepower and 25 mph on the California, which weighed some 75-80 pounds, not counting fuel, oil, and rider."  Rafferty, Tod, The Complete Illustrated Encyclopedia of American Motorcycles, Philadelphia, PA: Courage Books, page 22.

The motorcycle Wyman used to ride from San Francisco to New York City has been identified as a 1902 California designed by Roy C. Marks, of the California Motor Company.  It could have been a Regular 1903 Model California.  In 1902, Wyman acquired (bought?) a California. He rode it from San Francisco, over the Sierra Nevada Mountains, to Reno and back that summer.  This ride inspired him to attempt a transcontinental journey across the United States.  Since Wyman and the CMC were both in San Francisco, he may have collaborated with the CMC on the project. Either to get the bike he rode to Reno in tip top shape and modifying it for the trip across country.  Or, CMC provided him the latest model in exchange for promotional rights.  (We are conducting research to shed more light on this issue.)

On September 30, 1902, Marks was granted two US Patents for his designs:

1. EXPLOSIVE-ENGINE FOR MOTOR-VEHICLE, US Patent 710,329
2. CARBURETER FOR EXPLOSIVE-ENGINES, US Patent 710,330 (sic)

There is no mention for the displacement of the cylinder volume not occupied by the piston in the description of Marks' design.  This is not unusual, though.  It would be to his advantage to not specify size of the engine, allowing for future size changes of the applied for design. Figure 2, depicts the motor cylinder showing the internal space of the combustion chamber.

An examination of the diagram above indicates the volume of the cylinder, not occupied by the piston, to be about 60% to 65% of the total volume between the bottom of the cylinder and top of the head assembly.  We will use 62.5% in our calculation.

Comparing the Wyman motorcycle with the 1902 California in the Dave Scoffone collection provides the opportunity to examine the relative size differences between motor cylinders.  Even with the slight viewing angle difference the cylinders appear to be identical, right down to the number of heat transfer fins.  A cylinder of 90cc displacement would be noticeably more slender or roughly half the size.

1902 California today and "Snip" of Broken Belt Photo

Dave measured the cylinder of the 1902 California in his collection.  The length from the base of the cylinder to the head assembly is 6 inches.  The circumference of the outside wall at the base of the cylinder, below the heat fins, is 9.5 inches.  The cylinder walls of the patent diagram appear to be 3/8 or 1/2 inches thick, given a 6 inch length.  For our gross calculation we will use 1/2 inch.  

The formula for calculating the volume of a cylinder is:  V = pi r^2 (length),

given the cylinder....

• Length: 6 inches
• Outer circumference:  9.5 inches
• Outer diameter:  3.03 = 9.5 divided by 3.14
• Cylinder wall thickness:  .5 inches
• Inside diameter:  2.03 = 3.03 minus 1 inch for cylinder wall thickness
• Inside radius:  1.015 = 2.03 divided by 2

therefore...

• Volume cylinder:  19.32 = 3.14 times (1.015^2) times 6
• Displacement: 12.08 cu in. = 19.32 times 62.5% of total cylinder volume not occupied by the piston.

It is conclusive to our research team the engine size of Wyman's motorcycle was not 90cc (5.5 cu.in), but 200cc.  Going forward, the Project will refer to Wyman's motor-bicycle as being 200cc, 1.25-horsepower 1902 California motorcycle.

At the SFO Museum

The San Francisco International Airport, SFO Museum is featuring the restored 1902 "California" motor-bicycle believed to be the ridden by George A. Wyman, San Francisco to New York City, 1903.  

The exhibition of Early American Motorcycles is being held February 11 through September 19, 2021, at the San Francisco International Airport terminal, Departures Level 3.

California Motor Bicycle c.1902; California Motor Company, Inc.
Courtesy of Dave Scoffone

Online Exhibition link: https://www.sfomuseum.org/exhibitions/early-american-motorcycles/detail#1

The George A. Wyman Memorial Project, Inc. thanks the Curator of the SFO Museum for inviting the Wyman Project to contribute the historical information and photograph used in the 1902 "California" Exhibition write-up, linked above.

Wyman Memorial Plaque - Cheyenne Depot

The George A. Wyman Memorial Project is pleased to announce the installation of the Wyman memorial plaque at the Cheyenne Depot.  On June 4, 1903, Wyman arrived in Cheyenne about 10:30 at night.  He took his motorcycle to the baggage room of the Union Pacific Depot for storage before seeking lodging.  Read his account of June 4 - Across America on a Motor Bicycle.

Today, the Cheyenne Depot Museum is the "Heart of Cheyenne History"  It is Cheyenne's premier visitor and information center.  Pictured here is the Wyman memorial plaque displayed in the very baggage room he stored his motorcycle those many years ago.

Baggage room display at the Cheyenne Depot Muesum

Cheyenne Depot Visitor & Information Center

The George A. Wyman Memorial Project thanks Doug and Karen Leath, sponsors of the Wyman memorial plaque, Journey and Waypoint poster displays at the Cheyenne Depot.

Doug & Karen Leath
Motorcycle Tourer's Forum Members

Gift Shop entrance
Cheyenne Depot Museum

Wyman Memorial Plaque Dedication - Clinton IA

The George A. Wyman Memorial Project is pleased to announce the placement of the Wyman historical marker at Clinton, Iowa.  The Wyman memorial plaques are are mounted on a piece of the historic Lyons-Fulton Bridge that Wyman rode across the Mississippi River on June 18, 1903

Left-Right:  Arlen Brunsvold, Robert Rehkopf, Mary Seely and Tim Masterson

The dedication event was be held at 1:30 pm, Monday, October 21st, Liberty Square at the intersect of US30 and South 5th Street.  Turnout was excellent and included Clinton Mayor, City Council members, local dignitaries and other citizens of Clinton IA.

The George A. Wyman Memorial Project wish to think Mary Seely, Executive Director, Convention & Visitors Bureau for her outstanding efforts to bring the Wyman story to the citizens of Clinton, IA.  We also thank Arlen Brunsvold and Robert Rehkopf, Wyman memorial plaque sponsors for waypoints 617.1 Clinton RON and 618.1 Mississippi River Crossing. 

Wyman Plaque in Denison, IA

The George A. Wyman Memorial Project is pleased to announce the City of Denison, IA as hosting authority for the 613.3 Denison RON Wyman waypoint.  The Wyman memorial plaque and Waypoint sign is mounted in the beautifully landscaped area in front of The Donna Reed Center for the Performing Arts building at the southwest corner of Broadway and Main Street, Denison IA.

Mayor Beymer, John & Nadine Huval, Tim Masterson

Denison Mayor Jared Beymer hosted the dedication event at 5:30pm on Saturday, August 24, 2019.  Plaque sponsors John and Nadine Huval did the ribbon cutting honors.

ON THE LEVEL - Rediscovering the Original Adventure Rider

Click here for PDF

Interview by John M. Flores, Editor in Chief of OTL Magazine.  OTL is the official magazine of the BMW Riders Association.

OTL - Pages 40 - 44

Appearing in the July/August 2019 issue of OTL is John's article...

Rediscovering the Original Adventure Rider
Speaking with Tim Masterson of the George A. Wyman Memorial Project

WYMAN is in "The Iron Butt Rally"

The 2019 Iron Butt Rally is taking place across America and Canada June 17th through June 28th.  Long-distance motorcyclists from around the world ride in the "World's Toughest Motorcycle Competition" on a motorcycle scavenger hunt.  Over the 11 days of the IBR, riders rack up between 10,000 to 12,000 miles of hard riding.  During the three 'legs' of the IBR riders select from a list of 'bonus' locations and plan their routes accordingly.  This year and during leg one 4 Wyman waypoints have been selected to be IBR bonus locations.

The George A. Wyman Memorial Project thanks the rally organizers Lisa Landry - Rally Master, Jeff Earls - Routing Master and Mike Kneebone, President of the Iron Butt Association for including this 'hat tip' to the first long-distance motorcyclist.

There are five bonus locations in the WYMAN combination.  Riders are awarded points for riding to and claiming each location.   The extra WYMAN combo points are awarded to those riders who successfully 'score' all five of the bonuses in any order:

Click on the highlighted bonus code name to see their location in Google Maps.

LNHWY - HQ of the Lincoln Highway Association in Franklin Grove, IL

OGDEN - Ogden, IA  Wyman stopped here overnight to fix the 'final drive' of his motorcycle at a local blacksmith shop across from the current City Hall.

See: THE WYMAN DISPATCH June 14 - Across America on a Motor Bicycle

Wyman memorial plaque and Waypoint sign outside City Hall were dedicated by Team Strange in memory of Eddie James.

SHRM - Sherman Summit rest area along I-80 between Cheyenne and Laramie WY.  Wyman stopped at the top of Sherman summit on June 4th and rested at the base of the flagpole.  He carved the following into it's wooden base:

"G.A. Wyman, June 4, 1903, 11:30a.m. - First motorcyclist to cross the Rockies, going from San Francisco to New York."

See:  THE WYMAN DISPATCH June 4 - Across America on a Motor Bicycle

Wyman memorial plaque and Waypoint sign was dedicated by Cliff Wall.



TECOMA - Near Montello, NV along the Transcontinental Railroad west of the Great Salt Lake.  Wyman travel along the rail bed after his overnight stay in Wells.

See:  THE WYMAN DISPATCH May 26 - Across America on a Motor Bicycle

PALI - Palisade, NV a few miles south of I-80 just west of Carlin.  Wyman stopped here for lunch on May 24, 1903, following the transcontinental railroad.

See:  THE WYMAN DISPATCH May 24 - Across America on a Motor Bicycle

This Day - Across America on a Motor Bicycle

May 16th, is the anniversary of the start of Wyman's historic journey "Across America on a Motor Bicycle."  To celebrate and commemorate Wyman's hard riding adventure, the Project is publishing the daily account of his journey..one day at a time!

We have sliced 50 days, 5 articles and 26,000 words of Wyman's ride report into just a couple of paragraphs covering each day of his epic journey.  Starting May 16, and for everyday until July 6, our 'What's New' section will feature Wyman's description of his ride that day in 1903.  Follow along, as Wyman reports the thrills, spills and challenges of his epic ride, one day at a time.

Subscribe to 'What's New' to You! Get the Wyman Dispatch direct to your inbox.  Enter your email address in the box at the upper right, click 'Submit'.  

Wyman was inspired to make his 1903 epic ride by an experience he had the previous summer.  Sometime in 1902, after his return from a bicycle tour of Australia, Wyman acquired a motor bicycle from the California Motor Company.  That July he rode it over the Sierra Nevada Mountains to Reno to attend the "Fifty Mile Bicycle Race," becoming the first person to cross the formidable Sierra Nevada's by motorized vehicle.  It was on the ride back to San Francisco that Wyman got the idea to attempt the transcontinental motorcycle ride.

"During the previous summer I had made the journey on a California motor bicycle to Reno, Nevada, and knew that crossing the Sierras, even when helped by a motor, was not exactly a path of roses. But it was that tour, nevertheless, that fired me with desire to attempt this longer journey - to become the first motorcyclist to ride from ocean to ocean."  George A. Wyman, June 1903

The Story Behind the Headlines?

California Motor Company offers bicycle racer George Wyman $500 prize money to ride their motor-bicycle from San Francisco to New York City.  The Goodman Company gets exclusive rights to publish the story and helps with the trip expenses.

To get the latest Wyman Dispatch is easy...

• Visit our What's New section:  http://wymanmemorialproject.blogspot.com/
• Subscribe to our 'What's New' to You! service (upper-right corner). Receive the latest edition directly to your email inbox.  (Unsubscribe at any time)

Truckee Wyman Plaque Dedication

The Truckee California Information Center held the dedication ceremony of the Wyman memorial plaque and Waypoint sign at 12:00 noon, Monday, May 20th. (Truckee Visitors Welcome Center, 10065 Donner Pass Rd)

Left to right:  Chaun, Tim, Greg and Ruth

The dedication ceremony was conducted by Greg Zirbel, Vice President,  Chaun L. Owens-Mortier, Secretary, representing the Truckee-Donner Historical Society and Ruth Geresy, Director of Operation, Truckee Chamber of Commerce.  Ruth is also the manager of the California Welcome Center that occupies the historic Truckee RR Depot pictured in the background.  Tim Masterson, President/Project Manager, represented The George A. Wyman Memorial Project.

The Wyman memorial plaque and Waypoint sign will be on display in the historic Truckee RR Depot in the Truckee-Donner Historical Society.



Here is what Wyman wrote about his departure from the Donner Summit Hotel to Truckee the morning of May 20, 1903. 

     "It did not help me get through the dark, damp, dismal tunnel, 1,700 feet long, that afforded the only means of egress from Summit. I walked through that, of course, and emerging, continued to walk, or rather, I tried to walk. Where the road should have been was a wide expanse of snow - deep snow. As there was nothing else to do, I plunged into it and floundered, waded, walked, slipped, and slid to the head of Donner Lake. It took me an hour to cover the short distance. At the Lake the road cleared and to Truckee, 10 miles down the canyon, was in excellent condition for this season of the year."

G.A Wyman, Over the Sierras and Through the Show Sheds, The Motorcycle Magazine, June 1903 Vol 1, No. 1

Donner Lake to Truckee Ride  The festivities began at 11:30am with a group of modern day motorcyclists recreating Wyman's ride from the head of Donner Lake, along Donner Pass road into historic downtown Truckee.  The Wyman riders are:  Rob Leftwich, Truckee Police Chief, Jim Riley, VP of Truckee Dirt Riders, Scott Bonneville, Rob Lynn Stu Wik and Paul Spencer.

Wyman Riders - Donner Lake head to Truckee.

In the background, on the side of the snow capped mountain, you can see the railroad snow sheds that Wyman left to make his way down the side of the mountain to the head of Donner Lake, where he rode his motorcycle along Donner Pass Road into historic downtown Truckee.

The 520.2 Truckee waypoint is sponsored by Dave McQueeney
Dave is a legend in the long-distance riding community.  Member of the Iron Butt Association and Iron Butt Rally finisher number 29.  Dave has logged and certified over 2,000,000 miles in his long-distance riding career.  His name appears in the official Iron Butt Association record books 128 times as of this writing.  He is truly one of...

"The World's Toughest Motorcycle Riders"