1916 Davis Sewing Machine Company Dayton Bicycles Catalog

This is another highly produced publication that carries forward many of the design features of the 1912 catalog.

The house on the cover is an actual house in the Oakwood neighborhood of Dayton located at 273 Schenck Avenue, the house having changed little in 110 years.

The first pages are identical except that the 1916 catalog omits the customized dealer information in the 1912 version. Much of the artwork and photographs have been carried forward and the overall organization and sequence of topics are similar.

Page 5 discusses two versions of the “Spring Fork” shock absorbing system first introduced in 1912 (see 1912 catalog, page 6). The “Ideal” is a new heavier duty option described as a “duplicate on a smaller scale of the one used so successfully on Dayton Motorcycles and Motor Bicycles.” Further down it describes the original option, the “Dayton spring fork” clarifying that “The fundamental principles of the Dayton spring fork are exactly similar to the Ideal described above. The principal difference lies in the length of the spring. In this case it extends backward only . . .” The model descriptions indicate when the Ideal Spring Fork or Dayton Spring Fork options are available.

Page 16 “A Glimpse at the Dayton Family” features the new Dayton Motor Bicycle and Dayton Motorcycles.

Models

Dayton Arch-Truss Roadster – Model 135 (new for 1916)

Base Model – Price $40 ($1,204*)
With Coaster Brake – Price $45 ($1,354)
With Sturmey-Archer Tri-Coaster – Price $50 ($1,505)
Dayton Spring Fork $5.00 ($150) extra; Ideal Spring Fork $7.50 ($226) extra.

Dayton Three-Arch Truss Motor-Bike – Model 136

With Ideal Spring Fork and Coaster Brake – Price $52.50 ($1,580)
With Dayton Spring Fork with Coaster Brake – Price $50 ($1,505)
With Sturmey-Archer Tri-Coaster, $5.00 ($150) extra.

Dayton Racer – Model 133

Base Model – Price $40 ($1,204)

Dayton Motor-Bike – Model 132

Base Model – Price $40 ($1,204)
With Coaster Brake – Price $45 ($1,354)
With Sturmey-Archer Tri-Coaster – Price $50 ($1,505*)
Dayton Spring Fork $5.00 ($150) extra; Ideal Spring Fork $7.50 ($226) extra.

Dayton Roadster – Model 130

Without Coaster Brake or Mud Guards – Price $30 ($901)
With Coaster Brake – Price $35 ($1,053)
With Sturmey-Archer Tri-Coaster – Price $40 ($1,204)
Dayton Spring Fork $5.00 ($150) extra; Ideal Spring Fork $7.50 ($226) extra. Mud Guards $2.00 extra ($60).

Dayton Ladies’ Roadster – Model 131

Base Model – Price $30 ($901)
With Coaster Brake – Price $35 ($1,053*)
With Sturmey-Archer Tri-Coaster – Price $40 ($1,204)
Dayton Spring Fork $5.00 ($150) extra; Ideal Spring Fork $7.50 ($226) extra.

*CPI adjusted to 2025.

Mark Huffman 10/12/2026