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The Crocker Motorcycle Company was an American manufacturer of single-cylinder speedway racing motorcycles from 1932, powerful V-twin road motorcycles from 1936, and the "Scootabout," one of the first modern styled motor scooters, in the late 1930s. Production ceased in 1942.

In 1999 a new corporation was formed to manufacture replica parts, and now produces complete Crockers in kit form, following the original specifications.

This 1941 Crocker sold for $230,000 at auction in 2007

Crocker engine

Over 30 speedway motorcycles were produced before Al Crocker shifted his interest to creating a V-twin road machine that would out perform anything seen on the road. The first V-twin entry for Crocker had a 61 in³ (1,000 cc) "Hemi Head" producing 55-60hp, far exceeding the horse power produced by both the Indian and Harley of the day (38-40hp). Many Crockers were manufactured to order and the largest of them were known to have had a 91+ cubic inch engine (about 1,491 cc), and was the largest-capacity "production" motorcycle until the Yamaha XV1600A took the title in 1998, followed by the Triumph Rocket III, with 2,294 cc (140 in³). When production ceased in 1942, approximately 100 of the V-twins had been produced in all. The remaining inventory of parts were sold in 1947 to Elmo Looper. Many of these parts went into restorations of the surviving examples of which 68 or more still exist today, according to a registry started by Charles "Chuck" Vernon and Johnny Eagles, two members of a group of original Crocker owners in Southern California that have been instrumental in keeping the Crocker legend alive. Although total production of all models is not known it is thought by some to be around 200 units (about 40-50 speedway, 40-50 "Scootabout" scooters, and 100+ V-Twins). Al Crocker also produced an overhead valve conversion kit in the late 1920's for the Indian 101 "Scout".

The proprietor and founder of the company, Albert Crocker, ceased motorcycle production in 1942 when the war effort put a shortage on critical materials. Indian and Harley received contracts with the US Army for military motorcycle production and Crocker got a contract with Douglas Aircraft making aircraft parts. That became a more lucrative business then Al Crocker ever enjoyed with motorcycle manufacturing and in 1942 Crocker Motorcycle became Crocker Manufacturing. Crocker later sold out to a company named Borg Warner. Al Crocker died in 1961. Designer of many of the components, Paul Bigsby, went on to fame as a designer of guitars and particularly of the Bigsby tremolo arm. 1930 National Hillclimb champion Gene Rhyne also worked at the plant, and had the job of plant foreman. (*information via Al Crocker Jr.)

Because of their rarity and quality, Crockers are among the most expensive motorcycles an enthusiast can acquire. At the MidAmerica Auctions[1] motorcycle auction in January 2007 in Las Vegas, a 1941 Crocker big tank motorcycle sold for $230,000. At the Gooding & Co. auction in 2006 in Chandler, a 1931 Crocker 61 sold for $236,500. At the Bonhams & Butterfield 2006 auction in New York, a 1937 Crocker “Hemi-head” V-Twin brough $276,500. At the 2006 auction of Bator International in California a 1939 Crocker 61 cubic-inch side valve model sold for $200,000.

Crocker Motorcycle Company was re-started by Markus Karalash in his garage in 1997 for the purpose of producing limited parts for the Crocker restoration community. In 1999 the current company was incorporated and registered as a provider of replacement parts for restorers of original Crocker motorcycles. Early in 2001, with a plan to resurrect the brand and reproduce complete Crocker Motorcycles, Michael Schacht, friend and fellow collector, approached Markus with the concept of putting the two original Small Tank and Big Tank Crocker’s back into production, and by May 2002 Schacht and Karalash had a working agreement that brought the two into an equal partnership.

Crocker now operates a facility using modern technology to manufacture their own parts. To date the operation has grown to the point of being able to supply both the original Big Tank and Small Tank models as a complete kit. By reverse engineering two original Crocker’s using CMM equipment, highly skilled pattern makers, an in house engineering team and a number of original Crocker blueprints created by Al Crocker and Paul Bigsby, Crocker Motorcycle Company has now created almost 100 precision castings and approximately 1400 cad-cam engineering drawings for both models that are exactly as the originals, with parts showing original numbers and foundry markings. Most parts are interchangeable with original bikes. Crocker will begin delivery of their two original Big Tank and Small Tank models in Spring of 2007.

Crocker Motorcycle Companyis now the world wide holder of the Crocker Motorcycles trademark.

• The Crocker, a history of the original company.
• Crocker Motorcycle Company Official Website.
• The Legend That Could Have Been, essay at International Star Riders Association website.
• Crocker speedway racer page on Beauty of Speed website.
• Crocker V-twin page on Beauty of Speed.

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