Uploaded June 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Think buying a motorcycle on Amazon or Temu is a new phenomenon? Think again. Long before the internet and unboxing videos, you could have a motorised two-wheeler delivered right to your doorstep in a crate.
In this video, 3Phils digs into the surprising history of mail-order motorbikes. Starting with the 1909 Sears Dreadnought in the US, and moving through to the UK’s high street heyday in the 1970s and 80s.
Did people really buy Puch 50s alongside their toasters and TVs at Comet and Rumbelows? We investigate the claims, look at the cut-price deals that independent shops couldn't match, and verify the one British bike you actually could get via the postie.
In this video:
* The 19th-century "Amazon": Sears, Roebuck and Co.
* The mystery of the Rumbelows Puch: Fact or fiction?
* How Comet took on the bike shops with boatloads of Maxis.
* The paratrooper bike you could order from a magazine.
* The mail-order dream became a disaster.
If you enjoy this trip down the motorcycle rabbit hole, please like, comment, and share. It really helps the channel!
Other ways to support 3Phils:
* Become a Channel Member and enjoy early access: youtube.com/@3Phils/join
* Send a small donation via YouTube Super Thanks by clicking the button below the video.
* Hit the 'Hype' button below the video.
Credits and links:
1908 Sears Motor Buggy Driving - Classic Car Auction Group
youtube.com/watch?v=KwO-8DUQq4A
1911 Sears Autocycle Motorcycle! - Third Pedal Metal
youtube.com/watch?v=mSrp0rmjKxs
Rare 1913 Sears V-Twin 9hp Dreadnaught - Rich Penn
youtube.com/watch?v=Kj6mJo5hQ9E
bsa winged wheel 001 - Classic Motorcycles
youtube.com/watch?v=vk-YtS0Yun0
NVT Easyrider - Richard Davies
youtube.com/watch?v=ca8zkR6QmAo
Chapters:
00:00 – The Modern Trend: Amazon and Temu Bikes
00:39 – Sears, Roebuck & Co: The Original Amazon
01:31 – Expansion and Global Rivals
01:57 – Mail Order Motorbikes in the UK?
02:09 – The Rumbelows and Comet Mystery
03:47 – Coupons and Cycle Motors
04:52 – The Brockhouse Corgi: A True Mail Order Bike
05:54 – The Sinclair C5: An Electric Abomination
06:52 – Retro Sinclair C5 Advert
#3Phils #MotorcycleHistory #Puch #MailOrder #ClassicBikes #Sears #Comet #Rumbelows #SinclairC5
Think buying a motorcycle on Amazon or Temu is a new phenomenon? Think again. Long before the internet and unboxing videos, you could have a motorised two-wheeler delivered right to your doorstep in a crate.
In this video, 3Phils digs into the surprising history of mail-order motorbikes. Starting with the 1909 Sears Dreadnought in the US, and moving through to the UK’s high street heyday in the 1970s and 80s.
Did people really buy Puch 50s alongside their toasters and TVs at Comet and Rumbelows? We investigate the claims, look at the cut-price deals that independent shops couldn't match, and verify the one British bike you actually could get via the postie.
In this video:
* The 19th-century "Amazon": Sears, Roebuck and Co.
* The mystery of the Rumbelows Puch: Fact or fiction?
* How Comet took on the bike shops with boatloads of Maxis.
* The paratrooper bike you could order from a magazine.
* The mail-order dream became a disaster.
If you enjoy this trip down the motorcycle rabbit hole, please like, comment, and share. It really helps the channel!
Other ways to support 3Phils:
* Become a Channel Member and enjoy early access: youtube.com/@3Phils/join
* Send a small donation via YouTube Super Thanks by clicking the button below the video.
* Hit the 'Hype' button below the video.
Credits and links:
1908 Sears Motor Buggy Driving - Classic Car Auction Group
youtube.com/watch?v=KwO-8DUQq4A
1911 Sears Autocycle Motorcycle! - Third Pedal Metal
youtube.com/watch?v=mSrp0rmjKxs
Rare 1913 Sears V-Twin 9hp Dreadnaught - Rich Penn
youtube.com/watch?v=Kj6mJo5hQ9E
bsa winged wheel 001 - Classic Motorcycles
youtube.com/watch?v=vk-YtS0Yun0
NVT Easyrider - Richard Davies
youtube.com/watch?v=ca8zkR6QmAo
Chapters:
00:00 – The Modern Trend: Amazon and Temu Bikes
00:39 – Sears, Roebuck & Co: The Original Amazon
01:31 – Expansion and Global Rivals
01:57 – Mail Order Motorbikes in the UK?
02:09 – The Rumbelows and Comet Mystery
03:47 – Coupons and Cycle Motors
04:52 – The Brockhouse Corgi: A True Mail Order Bike
05:54 – The Sinclair C5: An Electric Abomination
06:52 – Retro Sinclair C5 Advert
#3Phils #MotorcycleHistory #Puch #MailOrder #ClassicBikes #Sears #Comet #Rumbelows #SinclairC5
