America’s motorcycle industry was barely getting started as the new century began. In 1901 there were two dozen or so motorcycle manufacturers that had either begun production or were attempting to do so. The pioneer American manufacturer, Charles Metz, had been making Orient motorcycles only since 1898. Oscar Hedstrom put together the first experimental Indian motorcycle for George Hendee in 1901. The Harley-Davidson was still two years off in the future.

Out in the far west Abraham W. Duck also began experimenting with motorcycles in 1901. Abe Duck was the proprietor of Duck’s Cyclery at 1234 Broadway in Oakland, California. He handled the Dayton and Olive lines of bicycles and also manufactured bi-cycle accessories, notably the patented Duck Brake and Duck Carrier. He started working on a motorcycle in late 1901 and tinkered with it through 1902 and early 1903 before he was satisfied with his little machine.

Around the time that Duck began work on the motorcycle, Mortimer H. Weed joined him as manager of the bicycle shop. In April 1903 they presented the Duck Motorcycle to the public. It was a typical early design; that is, it was a motorized bicycle. Prior to the introduction of the motorcycle, Duck and Weed had begun making the Duck Flyer bicycle as well.

The Duck motorcycle had a bicycle frame and a single-cylinder engine with belt drive. It

weighed 106 pounds ready to go and was capable of speeds up to 40 miles per hour. It cost $200 at Duck’s shop in Oakland. Soon Duck was offering several engine sizes, ranging from one and three-quarter horsepower to four horsepower. The two and one-quarter-horsepower version was a two-cycle engine with a three and one-quarter- by three and one-quarter-inch bore and stroke.

Owners of Duck motorcycles were quick to enter them in local races. In fact, one of the first machines made was a racing motorcycle built to order for a local bicycle racer. Duck himself rode one of his motorcycles to a second-place finish behind a Rambler in a five-mile handicap race at San Jose on September 9, 1903. At San Francisco’s Ingleside track a four-horsepower Duck placed second again to a Rambler in a five-mile handicap race on November 6, 1903 and came in third the next day in another five miler. On June 12, 1904 Ducks finished first and second in a three-mile handicap race at Ingleside.

The motorcycle business had been successful enough that in March 1905 Abraham Duck incorporated it as the Duck Cycle and Motor Company. He was president of the company and Mortimer Weed was its secretary and manager. The other stockholders were Duck’s wife, his mother-in-law and an attorney. Prior to this time the manufacturer’s name was given simply as A.W. Duck or A.W. Duck and Company. The factory and salesroom remained at Duck’s bicycle shop, which had been doubled in size in anticipation of increased motorcycle production.

Duck motorcycles continued to be raced locally. On August 11, 1907 Frank E. Karslake rode a two and one-quarter-horsepower Duck to victory in the five- and ten-mile races at Concord. Most of his competition came from other Ducks. However, he barely eked out a victory over a Torpedo in the five-mile handicap race and was just

ahead of an Indian at the finish of the ten-mile free-for-all event. At the Emeryville races

on July 5, 1909 the four Ducks entered in two five-mile races did not fare as well. Indians finished first and second in both races.

By 1909 the Duck Cycle and Motor Company had been reorganized as the Duck Manufacturing Company and had relocated to 427–429 15th Street. Abraham Duck was its president and Mortimer Weed was secretary. The new company continued to advertise itself as a dealer of bicycles and motorcycles, but production of the Duck motorcycle may have ended about this time. The company ceased operations in 1911.

Abraham Duck’s name disappeared from the Oakland directories after 1914, but Mortimer Weed remained in Oakland, becoming a tire dealer.

Although Duck was briefly successful as a home industry manufacturer, he lacked the resources to develop and produce the new models that were necessary to stay competitive with the large eastern motorcycle manufacturers. The Duck motorcycle quickly faded from memory and is all but forgotten today.

Editor’s note: A web search brought me to a site run by Leon Mitchell who claims the Duck name came from the Duck Motor Cycle Brake, which was manufactured in New York City. Can anyone make the connection between the motorcycle in California and the brake in New York City?