Unsolved mystery of the Traub Motorcycle

Traub motorcycle

Traub article contributed by Matt Williams


It was a one-of-a-kind motorcycle bearing 1917 plates and the name “Traub”.


But where the bike came from and who made it remains unknown to this day.


The Traub was sold to Torillo Tacchi, a bicycle shop owner in Chicago after its discovery who later sold it to Bud Ekins, famous as Steve McQueen’s stuntman.

Ekins was on set of the 1980 movie, The Blues Brothers, at the time.



Traub a regular rider

Traub Motorcycle Dale Walksler
Dale on the Traub

Don’t think this unique motorcycle is merely a museum piece though. Dale rides the Traub fairly regularly.

When asked about the engine components, he enthusiastically replied: “Everything inside the engine is just magnificent. The pistons are handmade, and have gap-less cast iron rings, the engineering and machining being simply years ahead of their time.”


“Comprised of a sand-cast, hand-built, 80 cubic-inch ‘side-valve’ engine, the machine has the ability to reach speeds in excess of 85mph (136km/h) with ease,” Dale says. 


“For a machine to have such advanced features, unparalleled by other motorcycles of the same era, is truly outstanding,” Dale says.


Traub motorcycle

Traub hunt

The hunt for the Traub’s elusive origin hasn’t stopped.


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