Birmingham's Confederate Motors Changing Its Name

BIRMINGHAM, AL - Birmingham motorcycle manufacturer Confederate Motors is re-branding and going electric, according to reports. The company will reboot itself in 2018 as Curtiss Motorcycles, named for aviator and rider Glenn Curtiss, who set multiple motorcycle speed records.

Founded in 1991 by attorney H. Matthew Chambers, Confederate Motors is a boutique motorcycle company known for extremely high-powered, high-priced, big V-twin motorcycles. According to Asphalt & Rubber, Chambers said the Confederate name had become a political liability. “I think we lost a lot a business with that name,” Chambers said. “We’ve missed out on branding opportunities. So, it’s time to retire it.”

Chambers said the next motorcycle to come from the company will be called Hercules, and will run on two electric motors from Zero Motorcycles, and will be reportedly produced in the latter's facility in California.

Image courtesy of Confederate Motors, Inc.