Oldtimer picture gallery. Motorcycles. Pre-1932 USA makes. Light.
1903-1909, Light Mfg. & Foundry Co., Pottstown, Pennsylvania, USA.
1903, Light Cycle Co., Pottstown, Pennsylvania, USA.
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On 3 VIII 1909 the Light Mfg. & Foundry Co. bought famous Merkel Motor Co. and already in 1909 changed badges to Merkel-Light. Only Model A was taken to the new 1909 model line.

Motorcycles

1909
1909 Light Model A, Thor 1-cyl. F-head 21/4hp, 17.32 cu in (283.8cc), bore 25/8", stroke 31/4", battery ignition, 1-speed, chain drive, 5...40 mph, $?, 5k poster.
1909 Light Model B, Thor 1-cyl. F-head, 3hp, 19,30 cu. in. (316,3cc), battery ignition, 1-speed, chain with gear drive, ? mph, $?, 7k poster.
1908 (new frames, Model C delivery was not commenced till spring at least)
1908 Light Model A, 21/4hp, Thor 1-cyl. F-head 21/4hp, 17.32 cu in (283.8cc), bore 25/8", stroke 31/4", battery ignition, 1-speed, chain drive, ? mph, $185, 123k poster, 89k poster, 47k 1907 pre-series.
1908 Light Model B, 3hp, Thor 1-cyl. F-head, 3hp, 19,30 cu. in. (316,3cc), battery ignition, 1-speed, gear and chain drive, ? mph, $225, 47k poster, 113k poster, 49k 1907 pre-series.
1908 Light Model C, 5hp, Thor V2-cyl. F-head 5hp, 34.64(?) cu. in. (567.6?cc), battery- ($300) or magneto ($350) ignition, 1-speed, ? mph, 47k poster.
1907
1907 Light, 21/4hp Thor 1-cyl. F-head 21/4hp, 17.32 cu in (283.8cc), bore 25/8", stroke 31/4", battery ignition, 1-speed, chain drive, ? mph, $?, 425k photo, 72k photo.
1906 model is similar to 1907 one.
1903-1905 Light motorcycles are clones of Indian "Camel Back", both assembled from Thor units set from the Aurora Automatic Machinery Co.
1905
1905 Light Thor-Bred, Thor, 1-cyl. F-head 13/4hp, 15.85 cu in (259.8cc), bore 219/32", stroke 3", battery ignition, 1-speed, chain drive, 30 mph, $210, 5k photo.
1904 (new grip control, 122k photo, compare with Thor ads, 65k photo. During 1904 Thor-Bred (Light Thor-Bred) name first appeared, 66k photo.)
1904 (late) renamed to Light Thor-Bred, Thor, 1-cyl. F-head 13/4hp, 15.85 cu in (259.8cc), bore 219/32", stroke 3", battery ignition, 1-speed, chain drive, $210.
1904 (early) Light, Thor, 1-cyl. F-head 13/4hp, 15.85 cu in (259.8cc), bore 219/32", stroke 3", battery ignition, 1-speed, chain drive, $?.
1903
1903 Light, Thor, 1-cyl. F-head 13/4hp, 15.85 cu in (259.8cc), bore 219/32", stroke 3", battery ignition, 1-speed, chain drive, $225, 34k photo, 24k poster.

Bicycles, 1890-1904-?

1904 (4 models)
1904 Light Model Racer, $50.
1904 Light Model B, $40.
1904 Light Model C, $30.
1904 Light Model Special (again), $25.
1903 (all the 5 models but Racer are also made with ladies frame. Chainless model disappeared from the list to the end of the year.)
1903 Light Chainless Model, $75, Sager Gear, cushion frame, coaster brake.
1903 Light Model Racer, $50.
1903 Light Model B, $40.
1903 Light Model C, $30.
1903 Light Model Special (renamed to Trade one to the end of the year), $25.
1900 (seems the same 4 models $30...$75 as in 1903.)
1900 Light Chainless Model, $75, Sager Gear, 13k catalogue page.
1900 Light Models B Roadster and B Ladies, $?, 11k catalogue page.
1899 ads for 1900, 147k, 157k
1898
ca. 1898 Light, 18k photo.
Undated photos
Light Cycle Co. exposition, 17k photo.
Survived Light bicycle, 32k photo.


Photos and data are from:
Author's archive.
Cycle and Automobile Trade Journal, 1903, 1904, 1907, 1908.
eBay.
Standard Catalog of American Motorcycles 1898-1981 by Jerry Hatfield.
WorthPoint.
Staten Island Region Antique Automobile Club of America Facebook.
HiFi Archiv.
Copake Auction.

Thanks for help to Evgenii Pevzner (Moskva), motorcycle historian.
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Last updated 28 VI 2021. Andrei Bogomolov. Contact Information.