Auto Four

Gelbke, who had attended engineering school in Wisconsin and at University of Southern California, had worked for McDonnell Douglas and also owned two motorcycle shops in Chicago and Hammond, Indiana.

After building his Roadog bike during the 1960s, he wanted to create a more practical large motorcycle for touring and police needs that could go into regular production.

[3] As with Roadog, Gelbe constructed and welded the frame himself using 4130 chrome-molybdenum tubing.

The bikes were equipped with a BMC A-Series engine and General Motors 4-speed automatic transmission.

[4] When the first prototype was completed in 1972, it was referred to as the "Gelbke Special", and reviewed in Cycle News East.They reported the bike to be comfortable, relatively easy to ride despite its size, and able to cruise easily and quietly at 100 miles per hour (160 km/h).