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In 1999 a new corporation was formed to manufacture replica parts, and now produces complete Crockers in kit form, following the original specifications. THE ORIGINAL CROCKERS Over 30 speedway motorcycles were produced before Al Crocker shifted his interest to creating a V-twin road machine that would out perform anything seen on the road. The first V-twin entry for Crocker had a 61 in³ (1,000 cc) "Hemi Head" producing 55-60hp, far exceeding the horse power produced by both the Indian and Harley of the day (38-40hp). Many Crockers were manufactured to order and the largest of them were known to have had a 91+ cubic inch engine (about 1,491 cc), and was the largest-capacity "production" motorcycle until the Yamaha XV1600A took the title in 1998, followed by the Triumph Rocket III , with 2,294 cc (140 in³). When production ceased in 1942, approximately 100 of the V-twins had been produced in all. The remaining inventory of parts were sold in 1947 to Elmo Looper. Many of these parts went into restorations of the surviving examples of which 68 or more still exist today, according to a registry started by Charles "Chuck" Vernon and Johnny Eagles, two members of a group of original Crocker owners in Southern California that have been instrumental in keeping the Crocker legend alive. Although total production of all models is not known it is thought by some to be around 200 units (about 40-50 speedway, 40-50 "Scootabout" scooters, and 100+ V-Twins). Al Crocker also produced an overhead valve conversion kit in the late 1920's for the Indian 101 "Scout".
Because of their rarity and quality, Crockers are among the most expensive motorcycles an enthusiast can acquire. At the ''MidAmerica Auctions'' {Link without Title} motorcycle auction in January 2007 in Las Vegas, a 1941 Crocker big tank motorcycle sold for $230,000. At the Gooding & Co. auction in 2006 in Chandler, a 1931 Crocker 61 sold for $236,500. At the Bonhams & Butterfield 2006 auction in New York, a 1937 Crocker “Hemi-head” V-Twin brough $276,500. At the 2006 auction of Bator International in California a 1939 Crocker 61 cubic-inch side valve model sold for $200,000. THE CURRENT CROCKER MOTORCYCLE COMPANY Crocker Motorcycle Company was re-started by Markus Karalash in his garage in 1997 for the purpose of producing limited parts for the Crocker restoration community. In 1999 the current company was incorporated. Early in 2001, with an aggressive plan to resurrect the brand and reproduce complete Crocker Motorcycles, Michael Schacht, friend and fellow collector, approached Markus with the concept of putting the two original Small Tank and Big Tank Crocker’s back into production, and by May 2002 Schacht and Karalash had a working agreement that brought the two into an equal partnership. Crocker now operates a facility using modern technology to manufacture their own parts. To date the operation has grown to the point of being able to supply both the original Big Tank and Small Tank models as a complete kit. By reverse engineering two original Crocker’s using CMM equipment, highly skilled pattern makers, an in house engineering team and a number of original Crocker blueprints created by Al Crocker and Paul Bigsby, Crocker Motorcycle Company has now created almost 100 precision castings and approximately 1400 cad-cam engineering drawings for both models that are exactly as the originals, with parts showing original numbers and foundry markings. Most parts are interchangeable with original bikes. Crocker will begin delivery of their two original Big Tank and Small Tank models in Summer of 2007. Crocker Motorcycle Company is now the world wide holder of the Crocker Motorcycles trademark. EXTERNAL LINKS
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