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The Emblem originated in western New York state in 1907. The early singles were offered with options of direct drive or clutch, and fiat or V-belt motivation. When the company introduced a twin in 1913, it was a robust 1255cc engine rated at ten horsepower. In 1916, customers could choose a 12- or 14-horsepower powerplant. The less power-hungry were offered the 800cc twin, or the venerable 600cc, seven-horse single. Emblem had a brief period of professional racing effort, but soon retired to less costly enterprises.
By 1917 the competition for motorcycle sales had narrowed the field, owing largely to the motoring economics introduced a few years earlier by Henry Ford. Emblem came to market with a roster of one model that year, a V-twin of moderate displacement (530cc) and performance. The lightweight twin was good for 50mph and sold for $175, the same price their single brought the year before.
The basic model was a one-speed with an Eclipse clutch, and a three-speed version was available. The mechanical oil pump was optional. The front fork featured a triple crown cartridge spring design, which allowed 2.5 inches of wheel travel. With its low seat height, center of gravity and short wheelbase the Emblem was a nimble machine. But American riders had cast their dollar votes for big twins, and fours, with more heaps of horsepower. The lightweight Emblem was virtually lost in the shuffle. Although it remained in production for another eight years, the Emblem was sold almost exclusively as an export model.