Excelsior logo

Excelsior Motor Manufacturing & Supply Company was an American motorcycle manufacturer that operated in Chicago from 1907 to 1931. The company had a reputation for producing high-quality, reliable motorcycles that were popular with American riders.

According to some sources, George T. Robie founded Excelsior in 1905 as a bicycle manufacturer in Chicago. The company later transitioned into motorcycle production in 1907, building engines with displacement sizes ranging from 200cc to 1000cc. Excelsior quickly gained a reputation for building high-quality motorcycles and won several races, including the prestigious 1908 Vanderbilt Cup.

Excelsior quickly gained a reputation for producing fast, reliable motorcycles. In 1912, an Excelsior was the first motorcycle to be officially timed at a speed of 100 mph, an impressive achievement at the time.

In 1912, Excelsior was purchased by Ignaz Schwinn, the proprietor of bicycle manufacturer Arnold, Schwinn & Co. Schwinn saw the potential of the motorcycle market and wanted to expand his company’s product line. Under Schwinn’s ownership, Excelsior continued to produce high-quality motorcycles, and the company’s reputation grew.

In 1917, Schwinn purchased the Henderson Motorcycle Company, and it became a division of Excelsior. The Henderson brand was known for its powerful inline-four engines, which were used in a variety of racing and touring motorcycles. The combination of Excelsior and Henderson made Schwinn one of the largest motorcycle manufacturers in the world.

By the late 1920s, Excelsior was in third place in the U.S. motorcycle market behind Indian and Harley-Davidson. However, the Great Depression had a major impact on the motorcycle industry, and sales of motorcycles declined sharply. In 1931, Schwinn made the difficult decision to cease operations at Excelsior. The company’s assets were sold off, and the Excelsior name disappeared from the motorcycle industry.

Despite its relatively short lifespan, Excelsior Motor Manufacturing & Supply Company left a lasting impact on the motorcycle industry. The company’s motorcycles were known for their quality and reliability, and they set a number of speed and endurance records. Today, Excelsior motorcycles are highly sought-after by collectors, and they remain an important part of American motorcycle history.

The Excelsior logo was a simple design that featured the name “Excelsior” in bold, uppercase letters. The letters were arranged in a circle, with a star in the center. The logo was a reflection of the company’s commitment to quality and innovation, and it remains an iconic symbol of the Excelsior brand.