"Wild Bill" Burdick Motorcycle Racer 1909 Real Photo Postcard

"Wild Bill" Burdick was a notable figure in the formative years of American motorcycle racing, active primarily during the 1910s and early 1920s. Riders like Burdick gained renown through competitive events, including board track races, which were popular and often dangerous spectacles of the era. The motorcycle depicted, likely a V-twin model from the period, embodies the early engineering of racing machines, characterized by their minimalist design and robust engines built for speed.

This postcard captures an individual representative of the pioneering spirit of early motorcycling, a time when the sport was burgeoning and heroes were made through speed and daring. These studio portraits served as publicity for riders and the burgeoning motorcycle industry, reflecting the public's fascination with cutting-edge technology and the thrill of mechanical competition.