Meanwhile, back in the USA, other excellent motorcycles were being made as well as the Indian, an example of which is this Reading Standard. It features a side valve engine, which although somewhat archaic today, was a more modern design than the overhead inlet, side exhaust type fitted to the Indian and most other American machines. It even has a “quish” band. Charles Gustaffson, Reading’s designer, later went with Indian, and designed the Powerplus, the ancestor of the famous Indian “Chief”. The Reading Standard was made in Reading Pennsylvania, and the slogan was “Made and Tested in the Mountains.” This well built machine is typical of American machinery of the period, and its 500 cc engine has a flat belt drive, not unlike the machinery used by American farmers and working men of the era, who made up the bulk of Reading’s customers. There is only one gear on this machine, but it does have a clutch of sorts. The belt tension is controlled by a third pulley, which can be released on stopping. Bear in mind that in 1912, there were not many stop signs or traffic lights to worry about.

Impressions from the Saddle
The Reading is started on its rear stand. The Schebler carburetor has a tickler, and after flooding, it starts easily using a de-compressor and a choke valve. The big single cylinder engine has a more authoritative exhaust note than the older bikes, and on the road it goes very well. A pedal with a ratchet, which is released by a hand lever, tightens the flat belt. Stopping via the standard “New Departure” coaster brake is not up to much, but an extra shoe brake is fitted to this deluxe Tourist Model, so that helps a bit. Front brakes are not fitted. Lubrication is by drip feed, with an auxiliary hand pump, and the carburetor needs little or no adjusting on the road, so its fairly easy to ride, and pretty fast for a single, with a comfortable cruising speed of about 45mph, with 55 or so on tap.