Motorized bicycles

More than muscle power

Transportation improvements were a major focus of technological development in the 19th century, and inventors and engineers of all the technically advanced nations of the era eagerly explored the possibilities. Attempts to build powered bicycles began in the late 1800s. These eventually evolved into motorcycles, motor scooters, and other powered two-wheeled and three-wheeled vehicles. Steam, internal combustion and electric power plants all were adapted for the bicycle, but only the internal combustion engine proved able to offer the characteristics of weight, performance and range that were needed. In later years, lighter, more efficient batteries and motors, coupled with increasing interest in environmental issues, have supported renewed interest in electric propulsion of bicycles. Motorcycles are discussed further in the MOAH exhibit Motorcycle Mania

Attempts with steam

Steam engines (external combustion) first appeared in the eighteenth century, but were far too bulky and heavy for use in a light vehicle, and were most used for rail and road locomotives. Practical internal combustion engines (and the first practical automobiles) appeared in the 1880s. In both cases, it was advances in metallurgy and the understanding of the physics of engines that made the melding of the engine and the bicycle even remotely feasible.

American engineer Sylvester Howard Roper of Roxbury, MA began his experiments with steam powered cycles in the 1860s and showed his first model in 1867. His designs incorporated the twist-grip handlebar mounted throttle long before it appeared on gasoline powered cycles. Philadelphian L.D. Copeland modified a "Star" racing bicycle with steam propulsion, producing his powered cycle in 1884.

Roper's first model (based on a wood frame "boneshaker" bicycle) was shown in 1867 at fairs and circuses in the eastern U.S. and was followed by a series of improved versions. The Smithsonian Institute has an 1869 version, believed to be the earliest model still extant. Roper's invention was not beloved by all. At one point, he and a companion were arrested in Boston as they rode upon Roper's steam-driven motorcycle. The charge? Scaring the horses!

Roper died June 1, 1896 at Charles River Track in Cambridge, MA, apparently from a heart attack suffered while testing his newest steam motorcycle at the then unheard of speed of 40 mph.

Steam continues to fascinate inventors and steam-powered bikes have been attempted even in recent times, usually with indifferent success due to the inability to carry adequate fuel and water supplies to achieve significant range. The Schwinn Typhoon bicycle shown here has been fitted with a steam engine built from a 1950 design by Richard Smith of Automotive Steam Engines, Midway City, CA and was successfully operated under steam power in 1997. It has been shown at several MOAH exhibits. A 1/2 horsepower engine can drive the machine to speeds of 25 miles per hour. It is propane fueled, and has a boiler steam pressure of 150 psi.

 

Internal combustion designs

The first true gasoline powered motorcycle/motorbike was invented by Gottleib Daimler in 1885. Daimler designed a single cylinder engine to minimize size and weight, which was significant, as his machine was made of wood with metal rimmed wheels. The vehicle, basically a two-wheeler, also had "training wheels" to keep it upright.

Another early motorcycle was the 1892 Millet. It incorporated a five cylinder rotary engine with the crankshaft as the hub of its rear wheel. The cylinders rotated with the wheel. (This same design concept appears in WW I aircraft engines.) The first commercially successful 2 wheeled motorcycle may have been the 1894 model by Hildebrand & Wolfmueller of Munich. Its engine was a water colled twin-cylinder design, mounted with the cylinders oriented fore-and-aft. The water tank and radiator were built into the rear fender.

After the turn of the century, designers began creating vehicles designed from the beginning to be motorcycles, rather than adapting bicycles to accept gasoline engines. However, the "chicken-power" class motor bike is still made today.

This page last updated: March 10, 2004 Original content: Copyright © 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 Museum of American Heritage Trademarks are the property of their owners