Cushman Eagle Has Small but Beautiful Place in Motorcycle History

Admired by the Big Hogs

Jerry Hayes, a retired builder from Aurora, Colo., gave this Eagle a complete nuts-and-bolt restoration. A bike that has to be kickstarted is no longer ideal for the octogenarian. So he’s offering the ‘62 Cushman on eBay.

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1962 Cushman Eagle Scooter - left engine seat

Haynes recalled taking the scooter-like motorcycle to a St. Patrick’s Day parade in Denver.

He said:

The local Cushman Club of America was invited to the event. We all unloaded our scooters in a park near the parade. When we set off, we had to ride past hundreds of Harleys. As we came past them, they were all clapping and high-fiving us.

Haynes praised the Cushman Club of America, a significant source of support during his 15 years of ownership.

A Big Small Bike

Founded in 1903 in Lincoln, Neb., the Cushman Scooter Company earned a stout reputation for building fine smaller vehicles, including scooters, lawnmowers, light farm equipment, and small boats.

In the following decades, Cushman galvanized its reputation to the point where the US military engaged it to provide cost-effective transportation for troops. The legendary Model 53 from World War II was modified to be dropped from an aircraft. That model became known as the “Cushman Airborne” or “Parascooter.”

In 1949, after the war, Cushman produced its most famous machine: the Cushman Eagle. The idea was to incorporate design cues from bigger bikes into a smaller format. That explains the Eagle’s beautifully styled fenders, sleek teardrop gas tank, capacious handlebars, and 350cc flathead (side-valve) motor sitting in its tubular frame.

Teenagers and adults alike were drawn to the affordable and attractive Cushman Eagle, which became a hit. Sales were brisk from the start. Despite producing only eight horsepower and using a basic two-speed transmission, the Eagle could soar to an impressive 50 miles per hour.

Just Needs Gas

Haynes restored the Eagle almost 15 years ago, although it’s been mostly idle for the past few years. We asked him if the Cushman needed any recommissioning.

He replied:

Just put gas in it. It’s like brand new.

eBay has long been a great source for Cushman parts and scooters, like this 1962 Super Silver Eagle featured a few years ago.

The 1962 Cushman Eagle now for sale on eBay is in great shape. It can continue to provide riding joy—and admiration from bike fans—wherever it goes. Just keep off the interstates.