Interiors & Decorations

Jewellery & Precious Stones

Watches, Pens & Lighters

Fashion

Coins & Stamps

Comics & Animation

Classic Cars, Motorcycles & Automobilia

Wine, Whisky & Spirits

Asian & Tribal Art

Trading Cards

Toys & Models

Archaeology & Natural History

Sports

Music, Movies & Cameras

Books & Historical Memorabilia

The finest objects brought to you by {name}

John Searle

This properly restored Cleveland motorcycle dates back to 1917 and was during WW1 in France by the U.S. Army. (Series A type 481).

My French grandfather bought this motorbike from the U.S. Army at a dump sale in around 1920. After his death, my dad shipped it in parts to the Netherlands and fully restored it. The new tyres were imported from England.

I want to sell it as there are few opportunities to use it in the west of the Netherlands. The motorcycle has always remained in the family.

Worked on and restarted with lots of love. It was used a few years ago. There are 2 videos available:
https://youtu.be/3x2AWDMXxaU
https://youtu.be/vgH6MpgOONA

Last French registration certificates date from 1955 (issued 8 July) under number 156 CY 77 and from 1931 (issued 5 July) under number 8685 RF 1.

The Cleveland Motorcycle manufacturing Company of Ohio built around 40.000 motorcycles between 1915 and 1929.
Their production started with this single-cylinder, two-stroke lightweight before progressing and finishing with a mighty 100mph four cylinder.

It all started with this model: A simple, light two stroke which unusually mounted with the crankshaft in-line with the frame.
Early models lacked a kick-starter – the rider using a compression release when push-starting the machine for the compression ratio was low enough to enable a 'walk-start.'
A kick starter was adopted for 1917.

The machine became popular because of its lightweight and practical nature.
Clevelands set several endurance records and were often winners in the lightweight class of races.
The engine was coupled to a two speed gearbox and the magneto was positioned at the end of the very long engine shaft, past the rear down tube.

The first endurance record with the lightweight Cleveland was set by George Austin from Seattle.
Weighing almost 100 kg George himself was no lightweight, but in November 1917 he managed to set a 24-hour record of 872 km in bad weather, darkness and under appalling road conditions (roads were very bad at that time!).
His reliable Cleveland didn’t miss a beat and was very economical, averaging almost 35 km per litre (just around 3 litres per 100 km).

Note the big handle on the left of the machine: It doesn’t control the gears, but the clutch.
For changing gear you must use the small foot pedal on the right.

The Cleveland is a practical machine for oldtimer club runs: it weighs just 80 kilos and can attain a comfortable cruising speed of more than 50 km/hour.

Condition: Good - Registration papers: No Registration Papers -  Location: Netherlands 

Cleveland - Serie A - Type 481 - NO RESERVE - 221 cc - 1917

Whisky

Reserve price

No reserve price

Closing date

Sunday

tomorrow

Saturday

Monday

Friday

Tuesday

Budget

From

Location

Italy

Germany

Belgium

France

The Netherlands

Spain

Taiwan

Portugal

Poland

Andorra

Bulgaria

Denmark

Austria

Sweden

Japan

Slovak Republic

Switzerland

Czech Republic

United States

Greece

Croatia

Romania

Cyprus

Finland

Hong Kong

Brand

Macallan

Johnnie Walker

Jack Daniel's

Glenfiddich

Ardbeg

Glenmorangie

Laphroaig

Royal Salute

Bowmore

Springbank

Aberlour

Chivas Regal

Hibiki

Arran

Blanton's

Caol Ila

Highland Park

Ballantine's

Lagavulin

Balvenie

Bruichladdich

North British

Glen Grant

Glengoyne

Kilchoman

Object

Single malt whisky

Scotch whisky

Blended whisky

Bourbon whiskey

Tennessee whiskey

Japanese whisky

Single grain whisky

Blended malt whisky

Malt whisky

Irish whiskey

Blended malt

Rye whisky

Blended grain whisky

Canadian whisky

Pure malt

Grain whisky

Spirit drink

Country of origin

Scotland

Speyside

Islay

Highlands

Lowlands

Campbeltown

Ireland

Isle of Skye

Isle of Arran

Orkney

Norway

England

Canada

Isle of Jura

Netherlands

Isle of Mull

Wales

Bottle size

70cl

700ml

75cl

1 Litre

750ml

50cl

20cl

37.5cl

75.7cl

1.13 Litres

4.7cl

33.3cl

35cl

1.5 Litres

3 Litres

Period

1970s

1980s

2020s

1990s

2000s

2010s

1960s

1950s

Alcohol Percent List

57.1%

46.3%

45.8%

51.2%

48.3%

56.5%

46.5%

47.8%

40.8%

44.8%

48.5%

51.5%

52.4%

Bottler

Signatory Vintage

Suntory

Gordon & MacPhail

Douglas Laing

The Whisky Agency

Nikka

Duncan Taylor

Murray McDavid

High Spirits

Wilson & Morgan

Claxton's

Best Dram

Sestante

Sansibar

La Maison du Whisky

Jack Wiebers

North Star Spirits

Berry Bros. & Rudd.

Cadenhead's

Moon Import

Silver Seal

Douglas McGibbon

Asta Morris

Angus MacDonald

Chivas Brothers

Irish whiskey - 46%

Red Spot 15 years old Triple Cask Matured  - 700ml

Blended malt whisky - 48%

Big Peat 10 years old Winter Edition 2026 - French Red Wine Cask - Douglas Laing  - 70cl

Irish whiskey - 46%, 40%

Yellow Spot 12yo + Green Spot  - 700ml - 2 bottles

Single malt whisky - 46%

Glendronach - The Venetian Room - Sherry & Amarone Casks  - b. 2026  - 70cl

Whisky - 46%, 43%, 45.8%

Caol Ila 12yo + Clynelish 14yo + Talisker 10yo - The Classic Malts Collection  - 20cl - 3 bottles

Whisky - 50%

Caol Ila 2015 8 years old Private Single Cask for Milano Whisky Festival - Wilson & Morgan  - b. 2023  - 70cl - 2 bottles

Whisky - 56.5%

Laphroaig 10 years old Original Cask Strength - Batch 015  - b. 2021  - 700ml

Grain whisky - 40%

Haig Club - Single grain  - 700ml - 2 bottles

Whisky

This object is no longer available, but there’s still lots to explore

Cleveland - Serie A - Type 481 - NO RESERVE - 221 cc - 1917

Popular in Whisky

1196 objects

Related collections