This is a rare photograph. Some say it is of Abe Zimmerman in 1938 [University of Tulsa Archives BD1938.04.01.344c] taking a ride on his last motorcycle before giving it up. Maybe he sold it to save money? In 1938 he had a new wife, Beatty. They were planning to start a family, war was coming to Europe, and times were hard.
We can see on the bike the initials F.C. carved on the battery box. This could stand for ‘Flying Cuyunas’ – a Motorcycle Club originally started by Duluth-based former miners from the (now inactive) Cuyuna Range, just Southwest of the Mesabi Range.
The pennant on the handlebar says ‘Bay M.C.’ with a small beaver tail logo beneath. It could be the colours from the ‘Beaver Bay Motorcycle Club’, as the Flying Cuyunas would often take weekend rides down the highway through Beaver Bay and on to places such as Two Harbors and beyond.
Anyone privileged enough to have a peek at the new Tulsa archives should watch for new family photos.