The bike was rolled out of a Torrance Airport hangar and at the controls of the reborn Crocker was the moving force behind its creation, Michael Schacht, CEO of the Crocker Motorcycle Company. Schacht has spent 13 intense years and a major investment of “blood, sweat and tears” pursuing his passionate dream to recreate his favorite motorcycle down to the smallest detail and based on his treasure trove of original documents, parts, design plans, and memorabilia.
As for the back story behind the Crocker’s rebirth, it all started in 1936 when Albert “Al” Crocker, working from a cramped shop in Venice, California hand built his first V-twin motorcycle bearing his name. Having joined Indian in 1909 Al Crocker is credited for pioneering the company’s overhead valve racing efforts, becoming a Los Angeles Indian distributor in 1928. Then at the advanced age of 53 he set out to design and build his own motorcycles, his V-Twins referred to as “two-wheeled Duesenbergs.” However, the last batch of Crockers was produced in 1942 as WWII sucked up precious materials and as Crocker priced himself out of the running.
In any case, timing, and WWII, conspired to limit its production and thus its rarity as all materials went to the war effort. By the end of the war in 1945, the Crocker itself had become a casualty and for the most part faded into the history books.
Now a new page is being written thanks to the Crocker Motorcycle Company, once again located in Los Angeles. The latest news concerns the naming of the current exclusive sales agent for sales of the new Crockers. That would be Yoshi Kosaka proprietor of the famous L.A. motorcycle shop The Garage Company. Schacht has announced an initial run of 10 machines, specifically the Parallel Valve engined Big Tank model, later followed by Small Tank versions, then Hemi Head powered machines. Deposits are being taken, several of the first editions already claimed. Bottom line, history is about to be re-written by the new Crocker Motorcycle Co.
Just today catching up with Michael Schacht, we learn that in addition to restoring an original Crocker, work has been completed further refining the new Crockers he now offers. New modifications aka innovations included upgrading the transmission for smooth gear selection and engagement which saw the addition of a thrust bearing assembly, a feature which Al Crocker had not integrated into the tranny’s design. Again, these changes are meant to improve upon and make more user-friendly a great motorcycle. Says Michael, “Basically we’re making fine adjustments having done some re-engineering to the gearbox and clutch. We also rebuilt the carb and added a fuel filter, again something the original Al Crocker design had not included and which now makes for a smoother running machine”.
Michael and Yoshi made an appearance at the recent Born Free event, their booth attracting attention including several custom builders, among them a very well-known designer from Belgium who had previously won numerous world championships so we might be seeing one of Michael’s Crocker motors powering a radical custom. This brings us to the availability of Crocker powerplants in addition to the entire bike. Says Michael, “In addition to the complete bike, we are selling motors. While Al Crocker first offered the hemi model, it had problems with heads cracking so he came up with the parallel valve heads and actually restored some of the hemi motors his customers brought in. So we’re selling the parallel valve head motors, but we will make a hemi head model on special order. While our stock engines are 61 cubic inches, we also offer some choices of displacements since they will take a .90+ over bore in case someone is building an electric start bike or a radical custom. Cost for a basic engine is $35K.”
Engine: 45 degree v-twin (stressed member of the frame)
Compression ratio: 7.0:1 (8.0:1 optional)
Carburetion: Linkert 3-bolt
Tank capacity: choice of Big tank 3.5 gal./ Small tank 2.5 gal.
Ignition: Splitdorf model C magneto
Horsepower: Parallel Valve – 60 HP; Hemi Head 65 HP@6,000 RPM
Top Speed: approx. 120 MPH
Transmission: hand-shifted Crocker constant mesh close ratio 3- speed
Frame: Single downtube keystone design, rigid rear
Front end: dual spring girder
Wheelbase: 63 inches
Weight: 498 lbs.
Pricing: $175,000
For technical information: www.crockermotorcycleco.com or via emailmichael@crockermotorcycleco.com; for sales information contact info@garagecompany.com.
