Motorcycle History: Part 1

[Morbo the Destroyer]

Originally Posted by bikeseamus

Sylvester Roper invented the motorcycle in 1869. He was an American.

Thanks for the tip; I'm finding that Roper is a very interesting character in American history:

Roper "invented the handstitch sewing
machine which was in many respects an improvement on the earlier machines. He invented a hot air engine in
1861, which was found useful until the day of gas and gasoline engines arrived. He made improvements on steam
engines and invented breech loading guns of various patterns. He was most successful in a financial way with his
hot air engines. During the war there was a large demand for his ammunition for field guns, of which he was the
inventor. He invented a steam carriage, a steam velocipede and a steam bicycle, propelled by an engine fastened
to the framework not unlike the modern motorcycle except that it was larger and the fuel was coal instead of
gasoline. He invented a successful pocket fire escape, designed for the use of traveling men. He made several
patterns of rotary engines. He designed a hot air furnace.

Mr. Roper’s death was dramatic. After making a phenomenal mile on a steam bicycle of his invention he was stricken with heart disease and actually died while riding."

[A Star Ride]

Interesting info on Mr. Roper. Some argue he did not invent the motorcycle because his had a steam engine, not a combustion engine. For that matter are diesel & electric motorbikes motorcycles or velocipedes? Also, his werent produced to the point that they were available for sale.
Testing a bike on a racetrack lap 1 38 MPH, lap 2 48 MPH, 3rd lap est 60MPH & crashed, dead heart attack. Hard to say how far he could've taken his ideas, and what he had in his mind that had not found it's way to the shop or the drawing board.

YouTube - Pete Gagan - 1896 Sylvester Roper Steam Motorcycle
Great video, but I couldnt get to see the end of it for whatever reason.

[Kevin_Duke]

Originally Posted by A Star Ride

Interesting info on Mr. Roper. Some argue he did not invent the motorcycle because his had a steam engine, not a combustion engine. For that matter are diesel & electric motorbikes motorcycles or velocipedes? Also, his werent produced to the point that they were available for sale.
Testing a bike on a racetrack lap 1 38 MPH, lap 2 48 MPH, 3rd lap est 60MPH & crashed, dead heart attack. Hard to say how far he could've taken his ideas, and what he had in his mind that had not found it's way to the shop or the drawing board.

YouTube - Pete Gagan - 1896 Sylvester Roper Steam Motorcycle
Great video, but I couldnt get to see the end of it for whatever reason.

Well, it certainly appears that we have to update our article to include Roper! He invented a step toward what we recognize as a motorcycle, and that needs to be acknowledged.

[A Star Ride]

Originally Posted by Kevin_Duke

Well, it certainly appears that we have to update our article to include Roper! He invented a step toward what we recognize as a motorcycle, and that needs to be acknowledged.

I didn't research it extensively, but some "first motorcycle" & "oldest motorcycle", "inventer" etc results him, some result the german guys, then later mention Roper.

I thought Harley Davidson invented all things motorcycle, including boots, stickers, house flags and other means of announcing ownership. Guess they were about 45 years too late.

[Morbo the Destroyer]

Originally Posted by A Star Ride

I thought Harley Davidson invented all things motorcycle, including boots, stickers, house flags and other means of announcing ownership. Guess they were about 45 years too late.

Mankind created the motorcycle. Harley Davidson made it legend.

Or something like that.

[Kevin_Duke]

Originally Posted by bikeseamus

Sylvester Roper invented the motorcycle in 1869. He was an American.
He later died at 73 on his third model. His bikes were steam powered, they were not 3 or 4 wheelers, and they were not converted bicycles. His first patent application was in 1869, for a machine he had completed and ridden. He should be mentioned as the inventor. Google him up. He didn't market them, but he was the original inventor.

Okay, we've done more research on Roper, and we'll have the article updated by Monday afternoon!

[Buzglyd]

Mr Roper kicked A$$ on Three's Company.

[The_AirHawk]

Originally Posted by Buzglyd

Mr Roper kicked A$$ on Three's Company.

An' his Wife was One Sexy Biotch, Yo!

[Kevin_Duke]

Originally Posted by Kevin_Duke

Okay, we've done more research on Roper, and we'll have the article updated by Monday afternoon!

Okay, Mr. Roper has been added to the article. Still no sign of Chrissy or Janet.

[acecycleins]

Originally Posted by Kevin_Duke

Okay, Mr. Roper has been added to the article. Still no sign of Chrissy or Janet.

Watch out for Larry. He's a hound. He'll take your women.