Just a little winter time Motor Cycle history to give you
something to think about. From time to
time will add a decade or so for your education.
Early Pioneers – Bicycles had reached an advanced stage of development by the 1880’s, most of them closely resembling machines we still ride today. As soon as a small internal combustion engine was invented, it was a logical step to attach it to a bicycle, creating the first motorcycle. Almost all early development took place in Europe, and the brilliance of some designs and the impracticality of others – was breathtaking.
1885 – Daimier Reitwagen, Germany, 264cc, single-cylinder,
top speed 7mph
Gottlieb Daimier and Wilhelm
Maybach were inspired pioneers, designing a high-revving (600rpm), benzene-fueled
engine that they added to this “riding car”.
1894 – Hildebrand & Wolfmuller, Motorrad, Germany,
1489cc, inline twin, top speed 28mph.
The work’s first production
motorcycle used the rear wheel as its flywheel/crankshaft with a direct drive
from the two connecting rods, and the rear mudguard to carry water.