Curtiss 40 hp V8 2
1907

In 1907 Curtiss developed a 40 hp air-cooled V8 for an aeronautical customer. He was tempted to mount this engine on a motorcycle, and did so. The result was a shaft-drive motorcycle capable of speeds upwards to 140 mph. Pictured here is the museum's exact copy of this motorcycle - the original of which is in the Smithsonian.

http://www.glennhcurtissmuseum.org/