Steam powered motorcycle (photos)

Energy & Sustainability
Steam powered motorcycle (photos)

01
Wow, we’re getting a lot of great submissions to add to our growing collection of “Maker made” transportation, here’s a series of photos from an early homemade steam powered motorcycle… Annette writes – Ray Clift was born in August, 1912, in Bellingham, WA, where he spent most of his growing up years and young adulthood. Ray was an inventive fellow, as were many of his contemporaries, as kids back then didn’t have many toys. They made their toys! Ray’s working years were spent in photography, machine shop, mechanical engineering and drafting.

Ray and I were married in September, 1973, so I was not an eye witness to his early endeavors. All I have are some photos he kept, his notations, and memories of things he mentioned to me. I believe that the motorcycle was Ray’s only invention using steam power. I recall him saying that the motorcycle wouldn’t go very far.

Ray must have sold or given the motorcycle to someone, probably before he moved to Seattle, WA, about 1949. I remember that an old friend of his told him that he had seen what he thought was the motorcycle, lying abandoned and rusting in a field.

Here are the wonderful photos from Annette…

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Motorcycle – Ray Clift built this steam powered motorcycle in 1947.

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Motorcycle – A closer look. The lady partially seen on the edge of the photo must be Ray’s mother.

03
Motorcycle – Another view of the cycle and the family’s home & cars.

04
Motorcycle – Perhaps this was how the steam was delivered to the cycle (?).

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Steam Boiler 1947 – “Steam boiler for motorcycle, about 1947,” as Ray wrote on the back of this photo.

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Steam Engine 1936 – Ray wrote on back of photo, “Small steam engine(about 1936).

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Steam Engine Parts – Ray wrote on back of photo, “Steam engine parts.”

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Steam Engine 1927 – Ray wrote on back of photo, “Steam engine, 1905 Cornwall Ave. about 1927.”

22 thoughts on “Steam powered motorcycle (photos)

  1. bf5man_ says:

    Wow! I’m really impressed by the quality of the photos and the craftmanship. It’s really nice to see vintage makers work, that would be great to have even more stuff like this!

  2. Pekar says:

    My assembled link below shows Ray’s steam motorcycle assembled, and still in existence.

    To see the minibike and moped below you have to go to this forum first to see the pictures.-
    http://www.steamautomobile.com/ForuM/read.php?1,7500,page=2

  3. Anonymous says:

    It is made their toys! Rayas working years were spent in photography, machine shop, mechanical engineering & drafting.

    Auto Auctions

  4. Anonymous says:

    Wow it is pretty cool bike, that guy had made steam powered motorcycle it is really good work.
    Motorcycle Accessories

  5. Addison Lewis says:

    Hi,
    The bike is very nice.. I have never seen such before.. I was wondering to know what was the reaction of people after seeing such bike at that time?
    motorcycle parts

  6. James Duglos says:

    Hello,
    It’s a  pretty nice post. It is amazing bike which is running
    from steam. I excited about this model because it is unique from the
    other blog post. Really it is such a nice post….Thanks.

  7. James Duglos says:

    Hello,
    It’s a  pretty nice post. It is amazing bike which is running
    from steam. I excited about this model because it is unique from the
    other blog post. Really it is such a nice post….Thanks.

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