Today we know that Indian motorcycles are manufactured in Iowa, but even decades ago, Iowa had a motorcycle industry. The Doodle Bug and Egley scooters were manufactured in Iowa. The Doodle Bug is small, only about 1.5 horsepower, was meant for use as local transportation and was promoted to youth.
Doodle Bugs were manufactured in Webster City, Iowa just after World War II, 1946 to 1948, by Beam Manufacturing. They were part of the scooter craze that lasted into the early 1960’s when Japanese motorcycles started to dominate sales. Over 40,000 Doodle Bugs were made, some Clinton four-cycle engine powered at the beginning, but most later machines like this one used 1.5 horsepower Briggs & Stratton engines, all with kick-starting and bright red paint.
Using the Hiawatha brand name, Beam sold the scooters through Gambles department stores to compete with Cushman and Allstate scooters. A range of accessories from Doodle Bug allowed owners to make them street legal. Headlight and taillight kits could be operated from a 6-Volt battery, or with the available generator kit. Looking back, though they may have been street legal, most would agree they are somewhat small and underpowered to be out in today’s traffic on public roads but probably OK in their era.
Today the following for these interesting machines, with a cool name, is very strong and there’s even an annual gathering in their town of manufacture, Webster City, Iowa.
This nicely restored Doodle Bug will be among hundreds of motorcycles and thousands of pieces of memorabilia offered in the John Parham Estate Collection Mecum Auction. Watch for information on the Mecum Auctions website, Mecum.com, motorcycles and memorabilia from the John Parham Estate Collection, all auctioned at the National Motorcycle Museum, Anamosa, Iowa, September 6 – 9, 2023. For schedule information, to consign a vehicle or to register as a bidder for this and all Mecum events, visit Mecum.com, or call (262) 275-5050 for more information.
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I wish you had a National Motorcycle Museum t- shirt with this little guy on it! That would complete its legend!
I grew up in Webster City, IA. My first motorized two wheel ride was made from discarded doodle bug parts with Briggs & Stratton power.
I grew up in Belmond, Iowa. These are the memories of an 80-year old, probably dimmed by age.Gunnar Kling lived across the alley behind our house. He had one of what was probably the 1946-1948 era of doodlebugs. I remember it had a “floor” that seemed to be sheet metal. I thought the motor started with one of those “wrap a cord around a flywheel, pull hard, and hope it starts!” Gunnar worked the Spahn and Rose lumber yard about five blocks away and passed right by our house. Early commuter! Probably a lot of this is conjecture, Kendall, but this was when I was 7 or 8 years old. Rock Gallagher
I have a frame for one if anyone is locking for one I’m in Arizona
There is a guy in Napa, CA selling a bunch of these, restored. Search Craigslist for the Napa area (I would include a link but it probably would get scrubbed).
What a fantastic piece of history! The Doodle Bug Super Model E is such a unique representation of its time. I love how you’ve captured its design and significance in the motorcycle world. Looking forward to seeing more on other vintage models!