1913 Sears Roebuck Bikers

[Stearmen]

I thought some of you might like this. It's from the 1913 Sears Roebuck catalog, and features what the well dressed bikers wore at the time! They were still getting used to the higher speeds and wind chill.

 

[pipvh]

'Aristocrat Leather Leggings...'

 

[hpalapdog]

Those elkskin boots look good. Running the price through the inflation calculator comes to only $40

 

[Stearmen]

'Aristocrat Leather Leggings...'

It looks like the add boys still didn't quite know how to advertise to these new fangled motor bike riders! It was pointed out to me that by 1914, motorcycles were already in their third incarnation. First, was bicycles with small engines clipped on, second was bicycles with engines between the frame rails, and third was dedicated frames with a hand throttle, and a clutch that could be manually disengaged so you could sit at a stop light with the engine running.

 

[Fletch]

When do puttees become leggings become gaiters?