Motorcycle

Invention of the Motorcycle

Oct 2, 1869

SourceThe first motorcycle was built by Sylvester Howard Roper from Roxbury, Massachusettes. The engine of this bike was powered by a charcoal-fired two cylinder engine. Rods attatched to the two cylinder engine were directly attatched to drive a crank on the rear wheel.

First Motorcycle Improvements

Oct 2, 1894

sourceHildebrand & Wolfmueller were the first to make major imporvements to the first motorcycle. They changed the engine so that it was now mounted on the bottom. Unlike the first motorcycle, this one used a par of stout elastic bands to help compression strokes. This also used a different engine which was able to allow the motorcycle to go faster.

New Engine for Motorcycle

Oct 2, 1895

sourceThe French firm of DeDion-Buton invented a different engine that was much more advanced than using coal. This engine did not need any sort of fire or rotating cylindar filled with items to give the bike power. This engine was one of the first that did not need any of that, and was much safer for people to have on a bike. This was successfully mounted on the bike in a manor that would not be inconvenient.

First US Production Motorcycle

Oct 2, 1898

sourceThe Orient-Aster, built by the Metz Company in Waltham, Massachusetts was the first US Production of Motorcycles. This used an Aster engine that was french built.

First Motorized Motorcycle

May 2, 1901

source Oscar Hedstrom made and shipped the first motorized motorcycle in May of 1901. This was the first motorcycle proven to be reliable and powerful.