User:Check-Six/sandbox/Suitcase Cycle

The Suitcase Cycle was a small step-through motorcycle modification, designed by Lawrence Shapiro, for quick breakdown and compact transport via general aviation (GA) aircraft, as well as land and sea transport. Most commonly, Honda CT90 trail bikes were converted, although several other motorbikes models were as well.

Origins
In the 1960s, GA was seeing an explosion in popularity. Average Americans were learning to fly for both business and pleasure, and earning pilot licenses. Reaching remote destination by plane was stating to become a more commonplace occurrence.

But once one arrived at their destination, ground transportation could be a hassle. Small GA airports seldom had rental car agencies and, if one was lucky, the local FBO might have a courtesy car you could use as a loaner.

Design
An airline captain for United Airlines, Lawrence “Larry” S. Shapiro, recognized the need for small, lightweight, transportation and began work on taking a standard small motorcycle and modifying it into a cycle that would fit into the luggage compartment of most small planes.

Using a stock Honda Trail 90, Shapiro's "Suitcase Cycle" had 90 custom parts that allowed the cycle to be taken apart or put back together in just minutes without the use of any tools.

The design was awarded a United States Patent, #3,872,944, in 1975.

At peak manufacturing, Suitcase Cycle production models included the Suzuki 100cc, 125cc and the freeway legal 185cc model. Honda models included the CT90, CL100, and SL125 models, another an instance of a converted Honda 175cc model, and a Yamaha 360cc has been reported.

The company also sold storage and safety accessories, like hard sided luggage, vinyl soft cases, and helmets.

Production & Marketing
Suitcase Cycle started in the garage at Shapiro family home in Westchester, California, in the late 1960s. Shortly therafter, production was expanded and moved to the Santa Monica Airport, where a dozen employees - including Shapiro's family - worked.

The Suitcase Cycle appeared in several feature articles in aviation magazine during its production run, as well as advertisements.

Over 1,000 Suitcase Cycles were completed when the production came to a sudden halt in 1974.

End of Production
A shift in product liability laws compelled Shapiro to shutter the production line in 1974. Several of dealers that Suitcase Cycle got their motorbikes from were instructed to no longer sell to Suitcase Cycle bikes for conversion.

Larry Shapiro retired from United Airlines, and passed away in 2001.

Today, factory-built Suitcase Cycles, with complete badging and documentation, command premium prices among GA pilots and Honda collectors alike.