First Motorcycle Versions
Who Invented Motorcycle? - First Motorcycle Versions
Gottlieb Daimler who invented the first gas powered motorcycle in 1885, had
one wheel in the front and one in the back, and a smaller spring-loaded
outrigger wheel on each side. Daimler's motorcycle was built of wood with
iron banded wooden spoked wheels. Motorcycle invented by Gottlieb Diamler
was built on the "bone-crusher" chassis. It was indeed powered by a
single-cylinder Otto-cycle engine, and had a spray-type carburetor.
Next notable invention in the motorcycle came in 1892 with the introduction
of Millet. It used a 5-cylinder engine built as the hub of the motorcycle
rear wheel. The cylinders rotated with the wheel, and its crankshaft
constituted the rear axle.
The first known production of a two-wheeler was the Hildebrand & Wolfmueller
in Germany in 1894. This motorcycle sporting a step-through frame, with
frame mounted fuel tank on the down tube. The motorcycle engine was a
parallel-twin, mounted low on the frame, with its cylinders going
fore-and-aft, and was water-cooled. The water tank/radiator was built into
the top of the rear fender.
In 1895 French firm DeDion-Buton invented a motorcycle engine and mass
produced the motorcycle engine and paved the way for the common use of
motorcycle. Metz Company made the first USA production motorcycle called
Orient-Aster in 1898. The Aster engine used in the motorcycle was a
French-built copy of the DeDion-Buton.
American Invention, Production and improvement of motorcycle skyrocketed
with the launch of Indian in 1901 and Harley Davidson in 1902.
