Super Salsbury
SUPER SALSBURY
A motorscooter ahead of its time
DUBBING THE 1948 Salsbury Model 85 simply another motorscooter is akin to calling Marilyn Monroe just another pretty face. Those voluptuous lines, those eye-popping curves, that perky tailsection...
But what about the scooter, you ask?
The brainchild of Mr. E. Foster Salsbury, the Model 85 was descended from a long line of scooters that began production in 1936. At that time, the Depression was taking its toll on American finances and o1' E. Foster saw a need for a reliable, inexpensive mode of transportation.
Enter the 65-pound Saisbury Motor Glide, powered by a single-cylinder two-stroke Evinrude engine that produced all of 3/4 horsepower. Ten successful years later, the scooter company was acquired by Northrop Aircraft Corp. Using Saisbury designs, Northrop built the Model 85.
A revolution in scooter size and design, the futuristic 85 features a flowing front apron, complete with chromed bumper assembly. The bike's aerodynamic, art-deco body work covers a rear storage receptacle large enough to accom modate a spare tire and luggage. A 2-gallon gas tank is housed in the compartment's flip-up lid-convenient, but not exactly wonderful for weight distribution. More on that later.
Mechanically speaking, the 85 is powered by a 318cc single cylinder four-stroke engine producing 6 horsepower. Inspired by an airplane's nose gear, suspension up front is similar to the MacPherson struts used on most cars today: a one-sided fork
connected to an elongated steering head containing dual-rate springs. A swingarm and single spring provide bump-absorp tion in the rear. The chain-driven scooter also features a drum rear brake and Saisbury's torque converter, the same type used on today's snowmobiles, go-karts and certain ATVs.
The Model 85 Standard shown here was restored by Rich Suski, a vintage scooter collector from Town Creek, Alabama. Suski displayed the 85 at the Vintage Motor Bike Club National Meet, where we took it for a spin.
Getting acclimated to the Saisbury took mere minutes. Its controls are like those of a car: Throttle and rear brake are applied via floor pedals. Starting the 85 was more like starting a motorcycle, sort of Apply the choke and take a few healthy swipes at the kickstarter. Ah, there's the rub. Using the kick starter is awkward, at best. It juts out from beneath the seat, and accessing it requires standing next to the scooter, holding the handlebar, then stomping the lever to the floorboard with a violent clank. Luckily, the 85 started with few kicks.
Almost 50 years old, the Saisbury pulls hard for its age, even if its estimated top speed is a mere 45 mph (estimated because the Saisbury has no speedometer). Vibration is mini mal-only in the handlebar and only at top speed-and braking is more than adequate.
Suski's scooter is steady and stable, but only as long as it's traveling in a straight line. Cornering is another story altogeth er. Because of its top-heavy nature, the 85 simply does not like to turn. For curves, slow waaaaaaay down and steer through.
Despite the hinky handling, the 85 is a nifty little ride. Unfortunately, only an estimated 700 to 1000 Model 85s were built during the scooter's two-year production run. Why so few?
Michael Dregni, scooter aficionado and author of two books on the little machines, explains, "This was the Buck Rogers of motorscooters. It was far out, probably too far out for a scooter of that time. This was when Cushmans looked like refrigerators on wheels. I just think the Model 85 was too much for people." Pity. Who would have thought a scooter could have too much style?
Wendy F. Black
