Motorcycles appeared around the same time as cars, if not earlier. As a rule, they were born in the workshops of future automakers, who tried to use simpler equipment.
The same thing happened to Gottlieb Daimler, who in 1885 for the first time presented to the public some semblance of the future motorcycle. It was then a very original motorcycle. The frame, like the wheels, was made of wood. And there were not two but four wheels, and all instead of rubber tyres were covered with iron. Under the seat and between the legs of the "motorcyclist" was an internal combustion engine designed by Daimler, which had a power of 0.5 hp. Gasoline or kerosene could be used as fuel. In order to start the engine, it was initially necessary to heat a copper glow tube with a gasoline heater, which then ignited the combustible mixture. The engine was started with the crown, and if everything was fine, this operation took approximately one minute
The motorcyclist adjusted the tension of the two flat leather belts, which transmitted the power of the motor to the rear wheel, to begin the journey. Stop was achieved by loosening the belts and pressing the wooden shoe against the rear wheel pulley.
This miracle weighed about 70 kilograms and moved at an average speed of 12 km / h, which caused great surprise to others. Very often people could not understand why two additional wheels were needed. The explanation was as simple as possible - Daimler simply couldn't ride a bicycle, so he couldn't ride a motorcycle either. Two side wheels saved from frequent falls.
Despite the primitiveness of the first invention in the motorcycle world, the basic principles of its creation were laid down. H.Daimler made his motorcycle mainly to test in practice and learn the characteristics of the internal combustion engine.
Mass production in motorcycle history began only in 1894, when two masters, Hildebrand and Wolfmuller, created a motorcycle of their own design. A little later, it began to be sold in most European countries. Unfortunately, the success was short-lived. Because of the very original, but still unsuccessful design trade became completely unprofitable. For this reason, in 1989 we had to shut down production.
Simultaneously with Hildebrand and Wolfmuller, who began to develop a new, more advanced model, in Paris, sold a light motorcycle design of the French brothers Werner. In fact, it was a bicycle with a small engine installed above the wheel and in front of the front wheel.
Due to the fact that the inventors of motorcycles have not yet made much progress, this version, like its predecessors, was set in motion by means of a belt.
In 1898, shortly after the Werners, Czechs Laurin and Clement built their motorcycle. It was already a more advanced car than a motorcycle. The engine was in the middle of the frame and was equipped with a magneto ignition. The power transfer to the rear wheel was provided by a thick flat belt.
Czechs, together with their model, were the last to design motorcycles in a period when all the engineers were developing the same design, without realizing it. A little later, around the 1930s, there was some separation, with some more success than others. Naturally, the First World War left its mark here.
Motorcycles started to appear not only in Europe, but also in America. Along with cars, they occupied a prominent place in the life of cities and villages. The only difference was that motorcycles were used by less well-off people than cars.
For example, in Germany, one of the most common and affordable was a simple DKV 140, first released in 1922 by the manufacturer Rasmussen AG. The motorcycle was launched after the bicycles of the same name, and it gained great popularity thanks to the mileage around Germany. In the course of the latter, such features as simplicity and good rideability were revealed.
On the road, he spent about two litres of fuel per 100 kilometers and drove at a maximum speed of 65 km/h. It's not easy to imagine that he weighed only 46 kilograms and started by pushing the foot switch. The seat was designed for one person, but it was possible to put a little weight on the back of the trunk.