The engine was cradled by a thin-wall, large diameter, aircraft-grade chrome-moly frame, designed by Dick Mann. To hold this engine, Taylor created a unique rolling chassis. (However, it be 1971 when the first production engines arrived, ready to be fitted into Taylor’s motorcycles.) These twins mated two standard OSSA “Pioneer” top ends to a crankshaft set up for 360 degree firing (both pistons firing together), but which also could be configured for a smoother 180 degree combustion cycle (firing alternately), for street use, if desired. The first prototype engine reached American soil in 1968. Taylor agreed, and Spanish engineers set to work adapting the existing OSSA 250cc single engine to Taylor’s specifications for the twin 500cc concept.
That was that Taylor would come over to OSSA and be their national US distributor.
OSSA had heard of the brash American, and-while quite reasonably having doubts about the profitability of making such an engine-agreed to the proposition, on one condition. Taylor didn’t give up, and next went to OSSA. While apparently impressed with Taylor’s imagination, Bultaco declined to take on the project. Taylor, equipped with this idea of what his machine would be, first approached Bultaco to see if they would source the 500cc twin two-stroke he wanted. Taylor furthermore imagined a motorcycle that would be American-made (and designed), and could be competitive off-road-by virtue of its large power-plant-and still provide its owner with reliable on-road transport. Taylor admired the performance-bred, lightweight Spanish machines being produced by Bultaco, Montesa, and OSSA, but also envisioned a larger-capacity machine with the same fine handling and components. By 1963 he had risen to the level of being the importer/distributor for Bultaco motorcycles in the United States. Taylor, originally a machine-tool salesman, got the motorcycle bug and was selling (and racing) Bultacos in the 1960s.
The Yankee was the idea of the brilliant, multi-talented businessman/inventor/motorcyclist John Taylor. Why does this man admire a largely forgotten motorcycle so much? I hope the ensuing words will answer that question. Bob’s exclusivity comes from the fact that he collects one motorcycle brand, only (well, two actually…but we’ll get to that soon): the undeniably rare and probably under-appreciated Yankee brand. Bob is a long-time resident of Lancaster Country, Pennsylvania, and is unique among motorcycle collectors. If you are a serious old motorcycle enthusiast and you live in the northeastern part of the greatest country on earth, you likely have heard of “Yankee Bob” Fornwalt. We’ve previously documented such iconic north-eastern bike garages as those of Mike Schantz and Stacy Clark. A continuation of our third installment of epic motorcycle locations.
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