Historical World War I PHOTO: Harley Davidson Motorcycle with Mounted Machine-Gun

Retronaut ^ | (est. 1917) World War I | Retronaut

[DogByte6RER]

In 1917, the United States entered World War I and the military demanded motorcycles for the war effort. Harleys had already been used by the military in the Pancho Villa Expedition, but World War I was the first time the motorcycle had been adopted for combat service. Harley-Davidson provided about 15,000 machines to the military forces during World War I.

- Wikipedia

[DogByte6RER]

American made motorcycles with mounted machine-guns ... very bad@ss.

[Chainmail]

A Harley V-twin with a Hotchkiss 8mm machinegun - now THAT’s a man’s machine!

[1rudeboy]

Two cycles in this picture? Or one with two front wheels?

[faithhopecharity]

finally! a way to get that parking place at Costco!

[bgill]

Is that a Stealth WWI plane in the upper left?

[Bryanw92]

Look Twice for Motorcycles...Or Else!

[MaxMax]

Yes it is. The mounted Ipad was washed out of the photo but they forgot the plane.

[RedMonqey]

Unless there's a sidecar it's mounted on(that I can't see), I don't see this as being very practicable.

And must have been a b#stard to drive it.

Nope don't see it.

[tanknetter]

There is, just obscured by the bike and soldiers:



There was also an ambulance version:

[PLMerite]

This looks like it might be the flip side of the setup:

[meatloaf]

They ought to reintroduce them. Might just put some pep in HD sales.

[Sasparilla]

Sure beats trying to fire it from horseback. What’s next? Mounting them from aeroplanes?

[RedMonqey]

Two cycles in this picture?

Found same pic with slightly different angle.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KPVYkHmZqXU/UQNI-5NpTiI/AAAAAAAAFnE/SSTApfcJWy4/s1600/HarleyDemo-WWI.jpg

Sorry, dunno how to post pix/ With weight of at least quarter inch steel plate in addition of machine gun/ammo/gunner/rider) this motorcycle had the offensive mobility of a washing machine on wheels...

[ProtectOurFreedom]

With armor in place...

If you don't have a Harley for your Hotchkiss, use your bicycle...

[RedMonqey]

Thanx

I was away looking for better pictures and looks like you FOUND them.

lol

[1rudeboy]

Not to mention, look at the guy sitting on the rear to keep it from recoiling . . . .

[RedMonqey]

What’s next? Mounting them from aeroplanes?

Man will NEVER achieve heavier than air flight.(rolls eyes)

The future is in Zepplin stocks...

[1rudeboy]

I’m sure that set-up was good for morale. “Here’s some armor for you, gunner . . . yeah, driver . . . about that . . . .”

[RedMonqey]

Fur suuurrr....

[Professional Engineer]

Hi Folks!

An ultra-rare bicyclespankentruppen ping to ya! Mit original intent even.