The Keating Wheel Company (KWC) started in 1893 in Holyoke, Massachusetts building high end bicycles. The company relocated to Middletown, Connecticut in 1897, still building bicycles and attempting to get into the motorized age. KWC built horseless wagons with little success.
In 1901, KWC built their first motorcycle/motor bicycle, and was rumored to be running the streets of Middletown. In addition, KWC rented out their tool room to Oscar Hedstrom and George Hendee in 1901, and the first Indian Motocycle was born. The Indian Motocycle closely copied the 1901 Keating, minus the camelback fuel tank.
KWC closed the factory doors in 1903 as the Eisenhuth Horseless Vehicle Company had taken over. In 1917 KWC sued the Harley Davidson Motor Company for misuse of trade patents. The first three trade patents on the Harley Davidson patent decal belonged to the KWC. Harley Davidson was found liable, and paid royalties for the continued use of the trade patents.
Around 1982, KWC was resurrected, originally as a way to obtain information on the original company.
Today we specialize in unrestored original paint motorcycles, some restoration, and period motorcycle memorabilia and parts.
The above information from http://keatingwheelcompany.com/:
(Written in 2010) Brian Keating and his brothers (unrelated to the Keating Wheel Company family) are serious collectors of Keating bicycles, motor bikes and memorabilia. Visit their web site at www.keatingwheelcompany.com. If you have any items relating to the Keating Wheel Company or know where such items can be located, Brian Keating will appreciate you contacting him by phone at (603) 298-5799. This picture is of the front cover of the Keating bicycle catalog of 1897 (see details of this catalog and the 1896 and 1898 catalogs in the catalog category of this collection (here is a link ). | Picture Gallery for this Item (click images to enlarge) |
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A picture of Mr. Robert M. Keating, founder of the company. I do not own this picture; the image was sent to me by Bryan Keating of New Hampshire in April 2010. Bryan and his brothers are serious collectors of Keating bicycles, motor bikes and memorabilia. Visit their web site at http://keatingwheelcompany.com/. If you have any items relating to Keating or know where such items can be located, Bryan Keating will appreciate you contacting him by phone at (603) 298-5799. |
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This is a 6-page catalog illustrating the 1896 model bikes that were sold by the C.O. Reichert Bicycle and Sundry Store of New Haven, CT. The brands illustrated in the catalog are Excelsior, Brownie, Waverley and Keating bicycles. A photo of the store showroom is included on the front cover; it is very attractive. The dimensions of the catalog are 7 3/4 x 5 1/2 inches. A Keating bicycle is illustrated in this catalog. |
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The 1896 Keating brochure which is in this collection |
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The 1898 Keating catalog which is in this collection |
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A Keating celluloid lapel stud button which is in this collection |
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A Keating celluloid lapel stud button which is in this collection |
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A Keating celluloid lapel stud button which is in this collection |
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A Keating celluloid lapel stud button which is in this collection |
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