SaftiCycle

Built untill the 1950s

in La Crosse Wisconsin

From Dave Bagne's Collection

From Hugh Young's Collection,

Onalaska, Wi.

The Merx Commando appears to use some of the same components as a Safticycle. I surmise that they bought out Safticycle and used some of the surplus parts to make a more motorcycle looking bike. I have an original unrestored Safticycle Sportster. You can see that many of the parts were made with hand tools esp. brackets and the like. The frame is fully gas welded. All in all it is somewhat crudely manufactured, they didn't invest much in tools and dies, and it is very heavy. Hugh Young

Sold on eBay

This is actually a 1945 Model 505.  Rider owned it for about 65 years

At Mid America auction

By Dick DeBuse

SaftiCycle. Inc of La Crosse Wisconsin. ( Affiliated with the R. C. Cheney Enterprises).  They used a 1 1/2 hp Briggs on  Sportster.  The Cruiser used a 3 hp not sure of engine but picture shows what looks like a Briggs.  Mountaineer used 2.3 Hp Lawson all  where Kick start. Lawson by the way is one very well built engine and has the hp to power these bikes very well. Lighting was optional & the three models used Bendix "excellent" gen 6 volt. The most rare of these models is  the  Cruiser & Mountaineer. Excellent ride and handling because of the low center of gravity. The other option available beside lighting to these was a side car. These models where available in 1947 to 1948. Mine was a 1948 & cost 149.50 at that time. They made these in the late thirties and had a tin covered body over basically a bike tubular  frame. A person by the Name of Dave W. Mac Phetridge  1251 South 19th St. of the La Crosse Wis.  54601  was doing the research on this company

SaftiCycle Sportster

From Dave Bagne's Collection

I'm sending pictures of my SaftiCycle Mountaineer (Vin# 510 20160). It was my first of many motorcycles. My Father bought it for $20.00 and gave it to me for Christmas in 1958. It was very rusty, with flat tires and I was to use it for parts to build a small car. During the February thaw of 1959, I pushed it out of the barn, into the sun, inflated the tires and made it run. I rode it in the cow pasture for four years, then put it back in the barn for 42 years. When asked, why I did such an extensive restoration. I reply, it was my first bike and how many people wish they still had their very first motorcycle.
Dick Thompson

1947 SaftiCycle, Mountaineer

Sharon Cullen's

Year unknown

This was for sale on eBay

SAFTICYCLE, MOUNTAINEER MADE IN LA CROSSE WI AROUND 1947-1948. HAS A VERY NICE RUNNING RARE LAWSON TLC 425 2.3 HP KICK START WITH BENDEX LIGHTING GENERATOR. LIGHTS ARE ACTIVATED BY RELEASING SMALL CLIP ON THE SIDE OF GENERATOR WHICH THEN PUTS TENSION ON BELT. EVERYTHING ON THIS SCOOTER WORKS, LIGHTS AND LOW OIL CUT OFF SWITCH. THE BELT GUARD THAT COMES WITH THIS SCOOTER IS FROM A SAFTICYCLE SPORTSTER MODEL, BUT IS THE SAME FOR THIS MODEL, ACCEPT FOR THE SPORTSTER LOGO. IT HAS A SMALL CRACK IN THE LOWER SIDE. REAR WHEEL WILL HAVE TO BE RE CHROMED. FRONT WHEEL IS PAINTED AND IS ORIGINAL. SEAT IS CORRECT. HAS RIGHT EXHAUST FLEX BUT MISSING THE CHROME EXTENSION PIPE. TIRES ARE ORIGINAL BUT IN POOR SHAPE. LIGHTING WIRE STILL HAS RUBBER GROMMETS IN THE FRAME. IT IS ALSO MISSING THE BRIGGS KEY SHUT OFF SWITCH BUT IS AVAILABLE. I HAVE A COLORED PAMPHLET THAT SHOWS THE DIFFERENT MODELS THAT WILL GO WITH THE MOTORBIKE. IT IS A VERY EASY AND COMFORTABLE MOTORBIKE TO RIDE. ONE OF THE HARDEST MODEL TO FIND AND IS THE ONLY ONE THAT USES` THE LAWSON ENGINE 2.3 HP.

1947 SaftiCycle

Thanks to Dick DeBuse

The Laray factory was shut down by the US government for back taxes. Many believe that some tooling ended up being bought by Safticycle as they share similar gas tanks and wheel hubs on the Commando. 

Safticycle Airman sold in the Spiegal catalog

Thanks to Dick DeBuse

1955          1951         1951

Pictures from Mickeybike.com

Background is the Los Angeles international airport in the 50s